Summary
Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo have announcedNioh 3, a new entry in the popular soulslike action RPG series, and gamers were surprised to learn they could play the game immediately. TheNiohseries began in 2017 with the first entry, succeeded byNioh 2in 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 rumoredbefore its official announcement, and while the showcase revealed new footage from previously revealed games, there were a few surprises in store. A brand-newJames Bondgame, titled007 First Light, was unveiled by IO Interactive, alongside the new fighting gameMARVEL Tokon: Fighting Souls, marking a collaborative effort between PlayStation Studios, Arc System Works, and Marvel Games.
Nioh 3received 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 gamestraight away through a free, limited-time demo that is currently running fromJune 4 toJune 18, 2025. 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 on the demo.Nioh 2is among the stellarsoulslike games with the best combat, andNioh 3is set to evolve that feat with two combat styles. Building on the familiar Samurai style,Nioh 3will 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: Khazanfilled theNiohvoidrecently while fans awaited a new entry, and the soulslike community was thrilled by the announcement. Many gamers statedNioh 2was 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 theirNioh 2characters.
At the start of the year,Team Ninja teased its 30th anniversary plansfor 2025, and theNioh 3reveal was a surprise that did not disappoint. Gamers previously suspected some of the anniversary celebrations would involve the developer’sDead or AliveandNinja Gaidenfranchises, 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 forNinja Gaiden: Ragebound, a new side-scroller releasing in July 2025.
