Key Takeaways
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- Nioh 3 is set in Japans Sengoku era, with players taking on the role of Tokugawa Takechiyo, tasked with quelling a surge of monsters and Yokai incited by his jealous brothers.
- The game introduces two distinct combat styles: Samurai and Ninja, each with its own skill tree and weapons, allowing players to seamlessly switch between them using the R2 button.
- Expanded Guardian Spirits, open field exploration across different historical periods, and new mechanics such as the Art Gauge are featured in Nioh 3.
- The game offers side quests called Myths, challenging final dungeons called Purgatory, and encourages exploration for hidden caves and enemy bases. While the graphics may not be up-to-date, the game promises a fresh take on feudal Japan.
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Nioh 3: Shogun’s Open-Field Odyssey with Customizable Takechiyo
In 2026, KOEI Tecmo and Team Ninja plan to release Nioh 3, a sequel to their Soulslike action series that began ten years prior. The original Nioh aimed to capitalize on the popularity of games like Dark Souls and Bloodborne by offering faster, more dynamic combat through its stance system and Ki recovery mechanics. At the Tokyo Game Show 2025, players experienced over four hours of hands-on gameplay with Nioh 3, previewing how the game evolves the series’ signature challenges and complexities. The first Nioh distinguished itself by featuring William Adams, the first Englishman to set foot in Japan during the 17th century, as its protagonist. Nioh 2 shifted to a custom character creation system. Nioh 3 combines these approaches, casting players as Tokugawa Takechiyo, a figure destined to become the next Shogun during Japan’s Sengoku era. Players will be tasked with quelling a surge of monsters and Yokai incited by Takechiyo’s jealous brothers. Nioh 3 retains the series’ challenging gameplay while incorporating elements reminiscent of Elden Ring, such as exploring various Japanese historical eras within an open field setting. While players control Tokugawa Takechiyo, they can still extensively customize his appearance.
Nioh 3’s Dual Combat Styles and Art Gauge Mastery
The game introduces two distinct combat styles: Samurai and Ninja. The Samurai style emphasizes power and precision, focusing on Ki management, parrying, and stance switching. The Ninja style offers agility-based combat with acrobatic dodges, backstabs, and Ninjutsu enhancements. Players can seamlessly switch between these styles using the R2 button. Each style features its own skill tree and weapons, and players are free to specialize in one or both. Nioh 3 also introduces an Art Gauge that fills as players attack or block. Once full, this gauge enables “Mastery of Arts,” which extends Ki duration, increases damage, and allows chaining martial arts moves. The game retains a Deflection system: parrying an attack with L1 recovers Ki while charging both Ninjutsu and Art gauges.
Expanded Guardian Spirits and Open Field Exploration in Nioh 3
The Guardian Spirit system has also been expanded. Players can still summon spirits using the Amrita gauge for added techniques. Transforming into a Yokai now grants a temporary invulnerability phase and increased damage, albeit with a long cooldown. Yokai Core skills, linked to Amrita, allow players to further expand their abilities. The game divides its complexity between the two distinct combat styles, potentially making it more manageable, though managing two full builds, equipment sets, and skill trees may still prove overwhelming for some players. As with its predecessors, Nioh 3 features a wealth of loot. Instead of traditional open-world design, Nioh 3 emphasizes open field exploration across different historical periods, from the Sengoku to the Bakumatsu era. The game replaces the cramped missions of earlier installments with large, distinct areas, encouraging exploration for hidden caves and enemy bases. Players will also discover side quests called Myths. Each area culminates in a challenging final dungeon called Purgatory, where enemies gradually deplete the player’s health while increasing Amrita gains.
Enhanced Graphics and Diverse Landscapes in Nioh 3 – A Fresh Take on Feudal Japan (64 characters)
The preview build of Nioh 3, based on 45 hours of play, runs smoothly at 4K 60fps on PS5 Pro. However, the graphics appear dated. The character models, animations, and textures do not meet current visual standards. Team Ninja’s continued use of the game engine contributes to this impression. While the game presents an imaginative vision of feudal Japan, its heavy reliance on red and black may become repetitive; more varied landscapes would be welcome. In summary, Nioh 3, scheduled for release in 2026, offers open zones reminiscent of Elden Ring, spanning various historical periods in Japan. It introduces new mechanics such as the Art Gauge and spirit guardian fusion, alongside a dual combat system featuring Samurai and Ninja styles. Players can also look forward to exploring side quests and challenging dungeons.
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| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Groove Coaster: Initial Initial Echo Ego |
| Brief Summary | undefined |
| Genre | Music |
| Play Modes | Single player |
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