Nioh 3 — Critics Call It a Serious Rival to Elden Ring

Metacritic published the first critic verdicts for Nioh 3, the latest soulslike action RPG from Team Ninja. The title earned a strong 86/100 critic score, immediately positioning it as one of the most notable releases of the year and prompting comparisons to genre giants like Elden Ring.

Release Platforms & Core Gameplay Innovations

The game launched February 6 on PlayStation 5 and PC, with no Xbox or Switch support at launch. Critics widely describe it as Team Ninja’s most refined project to date.

One of the headline mechanics is the ability to switch combat styles mid-fight:

• Samurai Style → emphasizes strength, defense, and blocking
• Ninja Style → prioritizes speed, mobility, and evasive tactics

Instead of the traditional linear progression seen in earlier entries, Nioh 3 introduces open environments, including forests, villages, and yokai strongholds. Developers confirmed that player freedom and exploration were central design goals for this installment.

How It Compares to Previous Series Entries

Critically, the third installment slightly surpasses Nioh 2, which scored 85 at launch on PS4, but it still trails the original Nioh, which holds the franchise’s top score of 88.

Interestingly, the expanded Complete Edition of the first game sits lower at 84, while DLC content such as The First Samurai expansion for Nioh 2 reportedly drops as low as 71, showing how widely reception has varied across releases.

Critical Reception Highlights

Reviewers across major outlets praised the sequel’s combat depth, challenge level, and mechanical polish:

• GamesRadar+ rated it 4.5/5, calling it “a triumphant evolution for veterans and the best possible starting point for newcomers” — though still brutally difficult.
• Rock Paper Shotgun noted “uncertain performance” on PC but still labeled it “the best of the best.”
• VGC described the title as “the culmination of Team Ninja’s decade of work,” praising its combat intensity and level design while noting the story could be stronger.
• Daily Star went even further, boldly stating the game is as good as Elden Ring.
• According to PC Gamer, combat variety is where Nioh 3 surpasses FromSoftware-style rivals.

Weapons, Combat Depth & Build Variety

Players gain access to 14 distinct melee weapon types, each featuring:

• Customizable move sets
• Unique skill trees
• Distinct playstyle identities

Many styles build upon mechanics from Nioh 2 but introduce new techniques and refinements, enhancing build diversity and strategic experimentation.

Mixed Scores & Criticism

Despite widespread praise, not all reviews were glowing. Five publications scored the game 7/10, marking the lowest range of ratings.

For example, ComicBook criticized its strong similarity to previous entries, though the reviewer still highlighted excellent boss encounters and smooth controls as standout strengths.

Current Ranking Among 2026 Releases

At present, Nioh 3 stands among 2026’s highest-rated titles, tied near the top alongside Cairn. However, both are currently edged out by the newest DLC for The Cult of the Lamb, which holds a slightly higher score.

Nioh 3 launches as a critically acclaimed evolution of the franchise, blending open-area exploration, dual combat styles, and deep weapon systems. While some reviewers note familiar design elements, the consensus is clear:

It’s one of the strongest soulslike releases in years and a legitimate contender among genre leaders.