Nioh 3 Review: Open Fields And Dual Combat Modes

Team Ninja returns with a sequel that changes the structure of its action RPG series while doubling down on combat depth. The campaign runs for more than 40 hours and moves from the Edo Period to the Heian Era, the Bakumatsu Era, and further back into antiquity.

The review, written by Mitchell Saltzman and updated on February 4, 2026, details how the third entry builds on the foundation of its predecessors while altering the overall design. Thanks to IGN, we know that the assessment places Nioh 3 among the strongest entries in the soulslike genre. The earlier games focused on tightly structured missions. This installment replaces those maps with wide battlefields filled with optional bosses, side encounters, and collectible rewards.

The story continues the series’ blend of historical conflict and supernatural elements. Players control Takechiyo, grandson of Ieyasu Tokugawa and heir to the shogunate. He travels back in time to secure a way to defeat an ancient force that has corrupted the present. Yokai, Guardian Spirits, and magical stones return as central elements. The narrative structure remains similar to previous entries, guiding players through dramatized historical wars. Cutscenes are brief and staged with precise choreography, but the storytelling serves mainly as connective tissue between battles.

The game introduces a split system built around Samurai Mode and a new Ninja Mode. Samurai Mode retains the traditional mechanics of stance switching between low, mid, and high positions, along with Ki Pulse timing to restore stamina. Defensive play, parries, and measured counterattacks define this style.

Ninja Mode changes the rhythm. It removes Ki Pulses and stance management in favor of rapid strikes that consume less stamina. Players gain access to three ninjutsu abilities, including shuriken, traps, and magical attacks. These abilities recharge through successful hits. The system encourages aggressive pressure and constant movement. The two modes can be swapped instantly during combat, and each supports separate equipment loadouts. This allows players to maintain two builds and shift between them based on the enemy or encounter.

“I’ll say this right out of the gate: Nioh 3 has the best combat of any soulslike, past or present, end of story.”

— Mitchell Saltzman

The review explains that both modes remain viable across all encounters. Boss design does not force reliance on a single stance. Samurai Mode leans into defense and resource control. It introduces Arts Proficiency, which powers up special attacks when players land hits and block successfully without taking damage. Ninja Mode emphasizes speed and flanking, including a quick step mist ability that enables repositioning behind fast enemies.

“Ninja Mode feels like Team Ninja finally taking off the limiters on combat.”

— Mitchell Saltzman

Enemy behavior remains aggressive. Bosses punish stamina mismanagement with heavy damage grabs that can end a fight quickly. Despite the difficulty, checkpoints are placed close to major encounters. Shortcuts open through exploration, and load times remain brief. The reviewer notes 290 deaths during the campaign, yet describes limited frustration due to pacing and recovery options.

The open-world structure introduces Area Exploration ratings tied to side objectives. Clearing Lesser Crucibles strengthens Guardian Spirits and unlocks Spirit Skills. Defeating Masters expands weapon skill trees. Finding Jizo Statues grants bonuses inside Crucibles. Chijinko demons drop elemental variations of techniques when defeated. Equippable skills appear in chests scattered across each region. Kodama and Scampus collectibles return from earlier games. Each completed activity raises the area rating and unlocks rewards such as stat boosts and skill points.

I see how this system changes the motivation to explore, because every side path feeds directly into combat growth.The landscapes vary visually between eras, yet enemy distribution overlaps heavily. Cyclopes encountered in one era reappear in another with minor alterations, such as throwing snowballs instead of rocks. Few enemies feel exclusive to a specific historical period.

Loot remains largely randomized. Gear becomes obsolete quickly, encouraging players to equip items with the highest numerical values rather than analyze bonuses. The system benefits long-term play in New Game+, where set bonuses and specialized builds matter more. During the initial campaign, constant gear replacement adds menu management without a consistent payoff.

An auto-equip feature addresses this friction. Players can assign weight preferences, allowing the game to select the strongest gear within chosen mobility limits. Heavy builds sacrifice dodge efficiency, while lighter builds preserve speed at the cost of defense. The feature does not account for build-defining perks or set effects, but it reduces time spent in menus. I do recognize that this option shifts focus back to combat for players who prefer action over inventory management.

The open-world approach introduces scale and optional depth without abandoning the series’ mechanical complexity. Combat receives the most praise, with the dual-mode system expanding tactical variety. Story presentation remains restrained and functional. Exploration delivers steady rewards, even when environmental identity overlaps between eras.

Saltzman scored the game 9 out of 10. He describes it as one of the best soulslikes available, citing its combat depth, customization options, and lengthy campaign supported by a robust New Game+ structure. The shift to open zones does not resolve every legacy issue, but it reframes the experience around broader battlefields and flexible playstyles.

Team Ninja builds on familiar mechanics and introduces a second combat identity that reshapes moment-to-moment action. For players seeking demanding encounters and layered combat systems, the third installment extends the series’ reputation with a larger stage and sharper tools.