Nioh 3: The Game Will Take Us Also to the Bakumatsu Era, Alongside Edo and Sengoku

Nioh 3 Explores Bakumatsu Period, Blending Samurai and Ninja Styles

Nioh 3 will immerse players in historical periods, including Edo, Sengoku, Heian, and, for the first time in the series, the Bakumatsu period, where the main character, Tokugawa Takechiyo, will feature prominently. The game introduces a new Ninja playstyle alongside the classic Samurai style, each with separate skill trees, and the character creator will offer Samurai and Ninja appearance options. Nioh 3 will feature an open-world structure called Open Field, characterized by shifting sands, layered environments, and maze-like hidden routes. Players can capture enemy bases within these open fields and must defeat powerful enemies at certain locations to progress. Nioh 3's Onmyo magic system lets players create summoning seals and other Onmyo magic items from Soul Cores, utilizing Yin and Yang positions. Koei Tecmo Europe and Team Ninja have revealed that Nioh 3 will explore the early 19th-century Bakumatsu period, marking the end of the samurai age. This turbulent era was dominated by two main factions: the Ishin Shishi, patriotic nationalists advocating for the restoration of imperial power, and forces loyal to the shogunate. Numerous other groups sought to exploit the chaos to expand their influence.

Nioh 3: Battling Shinsengumi in Bakumatsu-era Kyoto with Modern Weapons and Historical Figures

The Bakumatsu period in Nioh 3 is depicted through areas where iconic landmarks like Kiyomizu and Honnoji temples are influenced by Purgatory. Players will face new, dangerous yokai and the Shinsengumi, a military squad equipped with modern weaponry such as rifles and Gatling guns, enabling them to attack from multiple directions and at range. As Nioh 3 transitions into the Bakumatsu era, the story sees Kunimatsu, consumed by darkness, declare himself the eternal shogun, causing Edo and most of Japan to be drawn into a cataclysm called the Crucible. Kyoto, protected by Spirit Trees, remains as the last stronghold, where loyalists continue their fight. In Bakumatsu-era Kyoto, Tokugawa Takechiyo will encounter historical figures such as Takasugi Shinsaku, Okita Soji, and Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the 15th shogun of the Edo shogunate. Players should also prepare to face the Shinsengumi, who, with their modern weaponry, present a unique challenge in the Nioh series. Nioh 3 is scheduled to release on February 6, 2026, for PC and PS5 via Steam.

In Case You Missed It

In the world of Nioh 3, Team Ninja is shaking things up with an open-world approach reminiscent of Elden Ring, as explored by Marcus Thompson in his recent article, "Nioh 3: An Elden Ring-like Approach, a Good Idea? Hands-On Impressions" Nioh 3: An Elden Ring-like Approach, a Good Idea? Hands-On Impressions. This departure from the series' linear roots finds players traversing diverse historical periods in Japan, complete with innovative gameplay mechanics like the Art Gauge and Deflection systems. Meanwhile, Jonathan Dubinski takes us on a historical adventure in "Nioh 3 Takes You to the Bakumatsu Period" Nioh 3 Takes You to the Bakumatsu Period, published just days earlier, delving into the early 1800s Kyoto during the Bakumatsu period. Here, Team Ninja masterfully recreates famous locations and introduces new yokai alongside the renowned Shinsengumi. But that's not all; Dubinski also brings us up-to-date with PS Plus in his latest piece, "PS Plus: This Highly Anticipated Already Offered Game Will Get a Free Update" PS Plus: This Highly Anticipated Already Offered Game Will Get a Free Update. Published just this week, the article gives us a sneak peek into the upcoming games for PS Plus' Essential tier and reveals additional titles slated for the Extra and Premium catalogues, with Alan Wake 2 stealing the spotlight and Control set to receive an enhanced gaming experience on October 6th.