Nioh 3

Two styles, one struggle

In an alternate Japan overrun by bandits and yokai, players can switch instantly between the direct Samurai style, built around deflects and Ki Pulse, and the more mobile Ninja style with dodges, decoys and ninjutsu. GameSpot finds both styles fully fleshed out and distinct, calling the combat best in class. PlayStation LifeStyle praises its variety; Shacknews finds it reactive and stylish, but regrets that splitting the styles removes hybrid options and that Break Burst dumbs down some fights.

Exploring open zones

The game moves to “open field” maps that connect classic Nioh sections with freely explorable regions across several eras of Japanese history. GameSpot says this structure rewards exploration and makes the series more approachable, as players can leave a tough boss and progress elsewhere. Push Square likes the variety of locations and calls it the most accessible entry in the series, while finding the side activities very simple. Shacknews notes big gaps between main quests.

What critics highlight

All five outlets praise the combat. Reservations concern loot, still too plentiful despite auto-sorting options (GameSpot, Metro GameCentral, and Shacknews on inventory), storytelling that Metro GameCentral calls comically bad, and technical issues: inconsistent textures and frame-rate drops in places (GameSpot on PS5, Push Square on PS5 Pro), plus a few graphical issues per Metro GameCentral.

Platforms and prices

Available on PC (Steam) and PS5 since 6 February 2026. On 11 November 2026 the Standard Edition costs €79.99 on Steam and the PlayStation Store, and €70.39 as a Steam key at Green Man Gaming. The Digital Deluxe Edition (game and Season Pass) is discounted to €64.79 from €119.99 on Steam until 17 November at 7pm (Paris time) and on the PlayStation Store until 21 November at 12:59am. Steam lists French interface and subtitles, without French audio. Online co-op requires PS Plus on PS5.

Conclusion

Nioh 3 is aimed at players looking for demanding, deep combat with freer exploration than previous entries. Loot management, the story and some technical weaknesses are worth weighing before purchase. This is not a hands-on review.

Press average

The rating block above shows the press average calculated from original reviews of the PS5 version, checked on 11 November 2026: Push Square 8/10, GameSpot 9/10, PlayStation LifeStyle 9/10, Shacknews 8/10 and Metro GameCentral 9/10. Each score is converted to /20 and averaged with equal weight. This sourced overview is not a hands-on review.