Summary
Niohstarted as a secret project namedOni,announced in 2004, which was then officially renamedNi-Ohwhen it was shown off for the PS3 in 2005. Then the project went back to the drawing board, and manythought it was canceled. It did not reappear until 2015, when it becameNiohfollowed by a 2017 launch for the PS4.
The first game saw enough success to warrant a sequel in 2020, along with ports and updates, and now a new game,Nioh 3has been announced.Not only was a trailer shown, but a demo was dropped on PS5 for free. Let’s go through somedetails from theNioh 3demo on PS5and determine what fans can expect when the game launches in 2026.
7You Can Customize Your Character
A Returning Aspect From Nioh 2
Players could customize their character inNioh 2,and the feature will be returning in the next game. Players can look at the main options like their body, head, and voice in the demo’s outline, but they can only choose from a few preset models.
As a demo, this shouldn’t matter to most players, but it is good to note that this feature will be returning.Also, there is a photo mode in the menu, and players can choose different audio options depending on whether they likesubs or dubs in their Japanese media.
6Samurai And Ninja Style
A New Way To Play
The biggest new feature is teased in theNioh 3trailer and is unlockable in the demo is Ninja Style. Since the beginning of this series, players could go through the gameas a samurai,fighting their way through soldiers and demons. Now players can switch between Samurai Style and Ninja Style.
Ninja Style attacks will be faster and use less Stamina, but will always be weaker than Samurai Style attacks. Players can switch between Styles on the fly, and doing so while an enemy has a red aura around it will break through their defenses, so there are strategic reasons to switch. Will there be more Styles unlocked in the final game?
5Not Open-World, But Still Bigger
Exploration Is Key
Most Soulslike games are like 3D Metroidvanias in that they explore big castles and areas that are connected through unlockable pathways.Elden Ringis the gamethat changed all that for the genre, and whileNioh 3isn’t an open-world game, it will have bigger and more open areas to explore.
The starting area is a bit limited in the demo and is designed similarly to pastNiohareas. However, once the first boss is defeated, a greater and more open-ended challenge awaits that fans can easily get sucked into. For a game demo that came out of nowhere, it’s quite impressive how hugeNioh 3feels already.
4Known Weapons For Each Style
From Katanas To Gauntlets
Samurai Style builds can equip Swords, Spears, and Odachi, which are bigger swords similar to Greatswords in other RPGs. Ninja Style builds can equip Kusarigama, which are chained sickles, Dual Ninja Swords, and Talons, which are razor-sharp gauntlets. There are also ranged weapons like bows that both Styles can share.
All of these weapon types can be gathered in the demo, and, likemost loot-based RPGs, their stats are randomized. It’s unknown if other weapons will appear in the final game, but the types available already feel distinct from one another. It should also be noted that each Style has its own equipment menu, further distinguishing them from each other.
3More Power Than Weapons
The Strength Of Guardian Spirits
Besides weapons, both Styles have magical gifts to assist them in battle. For example, in Samurai Style, players can build energy, and every weapon type will perform a unique move once fully charged up. For Ninja Style, players can build energy and then leave images of themselves behind to distract enemies, along with tossing typical ninja tools like shuriken.
Both Styles can call upon Guardian Spirits to transform their bodies into superpowered states, which expands upon the summoned Guardian Spirits inNioh 2. There are several Guardian Spirits in the demo, and their uses vary depending on their form.
2Jumping Into Multiplayer
And Being Wary Of Signs
Multiplayer returns inNioh 3, and players can engage in co-op through three different methods. Summon Visitor allows other players to join in on specific missions, while Become A Visitor is the opposite, where players can randomly join other games. Once a mission is complete, like that aforementioned first boss, players will return to their shrine and get bonuses.
The final (and coolest) co-op option is called Expeditions, which allows three players to explore levels together. It’s an easy way to clear out areas of strong Yokai, and it’s just a funsociable thing to do in a Soulslike.
1Leveling Up
Building Amrita
The final thing worth mentioning aboutNioh 3isthe leveling system. The EXP material in this game is called Amrita, which can be used to raise stats like Strength and Stamina at Shrines found throughout the game. Players can also find Battle Scrolls on their journeys, which will unlock moves for each Style in the game.
Each style also has a separate skill tree that will boost any of the aforementioned weapon types. While most of the leveling processes willbe familiar to players inNioh 3, they have been expanded from previous entries, and its depth will likely increase furtherin the final release.
