Nioh 3 Announced And Soulslike Fans Can Play It Right Now

Summary

Nioh 3 has been announced with two new combat styles: Samurai and Ninja.
A free time-limited demo is available now exclusively on PlayStation 5 for players to try out.

Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo have announced Nioh 3, a new entry in the popular soulslike action RPG series, and gamers were surprised to learn they could play the game immediately. The Nioh series began in 2017 with the first entry, succeeded by Nioh 2 in 2020, and the franchise’s premise is rooted in Japanese mythology, previously following Irish sailor-turned-samurai William Adams and then half-yokai, Hidechiyo, in the prequel sequel.

Sony’s June State of Play presentation was rumored before its official announcement, and while the showcase revealed new footage from previously revealed games, there were a few surprises in store. A brand-new James Bond game, titled 007 First Light, was unveiled by IO Interactive, alongside the new fighting game MARVEL Tokon: Fighting Souls, marking a collaborative effort between PlayStation Studios, Arc System Works, and Marvel Games.

Team Ninja Discuss The Differences Between Nioh and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty

The developers of Nioh and the upcoming Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, Team Ninja, discuss the differences between the two soulslike games.

Nioh 3 received an announcement trailer during June’s State of Play, confirming the latest addition to the dark fantasy series. However, fans were surprised to learn they could play the game straightaway through a free, limited-time demo. Available to play now exclusively on PlayStation 5, players will see the return of the character creation feature, and Team Ninja noted the devs are keen to hear fans’ feedback. Nioh 2 is among the stellar soulslike games with the best combat, and Nioh 3 is set to evolve that feat with two combat styles. Building on the familiar Samurai style, Nioh 3 will also offer players a new Ninja style, allowing for quicker movements through dodging and aerial performances.

Nioh 3 Announced With Free Demo Available Now

The First Berzerker: Khazan filled the Nioh void recently while fans awaited a new entry, and the soulslike community was thrilled by the announcement. Many gamers stated Nioh 2 was one of their favorite games, saying their swords were ready. Others had a few questions, asking if the Yokai Shift mechanic and Living Weapon attack were gone, and inquiring if the third game would allow players to import their Nioh 2 characters.

At the start of the year, Team Ninja teased its 30th anniversary plans for 2025, and the Nioh 3 reveal was a surprise that did not disappoint. Gamers previously suspected some of the anniversary celebrations would involve the developer’s Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden franchises, after Fumihiko Yasuda noted upcoming release titles would be “fitting for the occasion.” Expectations were true to some extent, as the recent State of Play showcase also yielded a trailer for Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, a new side-scroller releasing in July 2025.