Koei Tecmo has announced the third game in the hugely popular soulslike series, Nioh 3, and better yet you can play the free demo right now.
Once again developed by the excellent Team Ninja, the game is coming to PlayStation 5 and PC (Steam) in “early 2026”, but the time-limited demo is available on PS5 now (and only on PlayStation 5) until June 18th. In other words, if you want to play it, you’ve got a few weeks to get it done. The publisher does add, however, that “Players who clear the demo will receive a special helmet for use in Nioh 3’s full game upon release.”
Here’s the official word on Nioh 3:
In Nioh 3, fans take on the role of a young warrior poised to become the next Shogun during Japan’s turbulent Sengoku period. Players will be able to enjoy a unique open-field experience that combines the freedom of exploration with the tension and intensity of action characteristics that encompasses all Nioh titles. From fighting monstruous yokai and exploring villages where suspicious beings lurk, to tackling the daunting challenges of the Crucible, players will enjoy thrilling and hostile new environments as they fight to survive in this cursed kingdom.
Among other novelties, Nioh 3 introduces players to two distinct fighting styles during combat: Samurai and Ninja. While the Samurai style offers a similar gameplay experience to previous Nioh titles, it also introduces new actions such as enhancing the power of martial arts with the “Arts Proficiency” action, or the ability to block enemy attacks at the last second with the “Deflect” action.
Players will enjoy a faster gameplay experience when using the Ninja style, being able to perform aerial actions and dodges, allowing them to attack from outside of an enemy’s range. Using a variety of Ninjitsu techniques at their disposal such as “Mist”, which leaves a clone after an attack, and “Evade”, which allows them to narrowly avoid enemy strikes, players will be able to outmanoeuvre enemies and deliver devastating speed attacks from behind.
Fans will experience intense and deadly face-to-face confrontations by switching instantly and seamlessly from one combat style to another, or by choosing to continuously use only one style, depending on the enemies and the situation of the battlefield.
Nioh 3 is coming to PlayStation 5 and PC in early 2026.
