Nioh 3 Reviews
Nioh 3 is an excellent sequel, with Team Ninja daring to introduce a Ninja style that refreshes the gameplay and an open-world structure that allows for exploration without sacrificing pace. It's worth noting, however, that the game is less than perfect in its balance and the AI is sometimes iffy, but otherwise, the package remains solid, deep, and rewarding. The revolution has begun for Nioh: it may not be perfect, but it's incredibly fun.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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Review in Italian | Read full review
Knowing when to dodge, strike, fire off a few spells, and back up for a devastating whiff punish are all key to survival, and this dance is the fire that fuels just about every encounter. And while much of that is true for just about every entry in the genre, Nioh 3’s specialty lies in its speed and responsiveness.
Despite the inventory headaches and a narrative that largely fades into the background, Nioh 3 stands tall as a masterclass in action RPG design. The shift to open fields breathes fresh air into the exploration without sacrificing the series’ signature difficulty, while the new Samurai and Ninja dual-system offers the most satisfying, fluid combat Team Ninja has EVER crafted (and believe me, that’s saying something). It is punishing, beautiful, and endlessly rewarding, with Nioh 3 not just a worthy sequel, but the best that the series has ever been.
No matter how flawed it is, Nioh 3 is a statement of purpose. It's not following trends or making its processes easier to use to appeal to more people. Team Ninja is special because of its accuracy, depth, and respect for player skill. This update does not change those things.
I’ve enjoyed Nioh 3’s combat, but was not really a fan of the new styles. As I much prefer focusing on my specific play style. It is annoying that you are forced to switch between them when attempting to Burst Counter an enemy. Since there is a slight delay when trying to switch back. I felt the demon mode in Nioh 2 was a much better fit for the counter, and as an overall mechanic, compared to the two styles. As for the open world, it looks cool, but you can see that it was meant to be split into levels like usual. Which I think suits the game better. As running around feels empty now that it is larger. You don’t have anything to really uncover, as it is all laid out in front of you. Even the hidden collectables are visible on the map, once you level your exploration level at least one time in the area. For me, the new stuff they seem more like they just moved stuff around and called it “new” rather than actually do anything new. Take having two different weapons, it was locked until the second region. I would definitely return to it, my main issue is the needless changes like the two styles. So Nioh 3 does deserve the Thumb Culture Gold Award for attempting new things all, even if some don’t hit the mark.
If there's a company that knows its way around action RPGs, it's Team NINJA. But with Nioh 3, it feels as if they have finally perfected their vision. This is the culmination of their endless quest to create the ultimate action RPG experience centered around a satisfying flow state, and they've achieved it in the bloodiest and most glorious way possible.
Each design decision, whether in narrative pacing or mechanical complexity, converges to strengthen the hardcore experience that has always defined the franchise. It is a work that understands its identity, honors its legacy, and looks ahead. Nioh 3 is not just another chapter in the trilogy; it is the technical and artistic pinnacle of the saga, establishing itself as an instant classic of the action genre.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Nioh 3 is my favorite game so far this year, hands down. The combat is exquisite with new mechanics that complement the refinements from the previous two games, while the open-world levels fit right in with the series. The story may not be the most memorable, but the action makes up for it completely. This is now my all-time favorite soulslike, and if you have a computer powerful enough to run it, I can happily recommend it with ease. However, you will need a decently powerful PC. Playing on the Steam Deck is a no-go, and unless it's streaming, I wouldn't get any hopes up about playing this on the Deck.
Nioh 3 may not fully resolve some of the shortcomings of previous entries in the series, but it reinforces what made the series stand out by delivering a vibrant, content-rich semi-open world, excellent enemy and boss variety, and outstanding gameplay that continues to evolve as you progress, establishing a solid foundation for the series in the future
Review in Arabic | Read full review
In our review of the PC version of Nioh 3, we examine the series' new game, which combines action with an alternative take on Japanese history.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
While there are definitely aspects that weigh Nioh 3 down, the action and core gameplay are its saving grace. Swapping between Ninja and Samurai on the fly stays fun even into the endgame. They already feel distinct, and the small tweaks players can make to suit their style are a nice touch. Using those styles out in the open fields is where Nioh 3 shines, and where the combat really clicks.
Nioh 3 is a fantastically crafted game that blends several intricate and engaging elements to produce a great combat experience. While it has some issues that hinder gameplay, it’s still one of the most engaging soulslikes.
Nioh 3 pushes you to actually use everything it gives you instead of letting one approach carry the whole game. Switching between Samurai and Ninja becomes part of how fights work, and the larger areas give you space to prepare when things feel overwhelming. The story mostly stays out of the way, and loot management can get tiring, but combat stays rewarding once it comes together. It’s demanding, but it gives you room to figure things out without lowering the bar.
Nioh 3 still struggles with cheap boss fights and clumsy controls, but the thrilling action and spectacular world design more than make up for its faults. This is the best entry in the franchise and it isn't even close.
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Nioh 3 proves that sequels can still bring fresh ideas to an established franchise. By introducing more open regions and meaningful side activities, the new soulslike retains the strengths of its predecessors while addressing their shortcomings. The result is a well-crafted narrative, unforgettable boss battles, and a wealth of content, all supported by a progression system that feels inviting to both newcomers and longtime fans.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Nioh 3 somehow further sharpens the series' already razor-sharp combat, elevates the series' world design to a whole other level thanks to its large explorable maps, and packs enough meaningful content into the experience to fill at least two games. Team Ninja is a developer at the top of its game, and you can see how the lessons the studio has learned over the past few years have been put into practice in making Nioh 3 the absolute best it can be. It takes all the best bits of the studio's previous games and blends them almost seamlessly for a near-perfect experience. It once again sets the standard for any Soulslike not developed by From Software.
As a huge Team Ninja fan who has played all their games, it's impossible not to feel that Nioh 3 has become their new benchmark. It continues the work done in Nioh 2, shows that it has learned from Rise of the Ronin and injects new energy with well-implemented mechanics.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Nioh 3 is the most ambitious and comprehensive instalment in the series. Team Ninja has managed to evolve the formula without betraying its essence, introducing significant new features such as open fields and dual combat styles. It is a demanding, at times ruthless game that makes no concessions and requires dedication. But for those who love hardcore action RPGs, Nioh 3 represents one of the most profound, rewarding and rich experiences currently available.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Koei Tecmo have gone the extra mile in delivering the most ambicious and positively delicious soulslike with Nioh 3. (Review written in Portuguese for Entertainium Brasil)