Nioh 3: Tokyo Game Show hands-on report

Nioh 3, the latest entry in Koei Tecmo Games’ dark samurai action RPG series from Team Ninja, is set to launch on PlayStation 5. I had the chance to go hands-on with the game at Tokyo Game Show 2025. I explored the newly revealed snowfield area and confronted the daunting yokai incarnation of Takeda Shingen. Here’s how it went.

Journey through open fields and engage in thrilling battles

One of Nioh 3’s defining new features is its open field, which I was able to experience firsthand during one of the demo’s main missions.

The size was smaller in scale due to it being a demo, but the snowfield area was still packed with discovery. I began by unlocking a shrine to serve as my central hub, and from there, I uncovered treasure chests containing equipment, dark walls that unlocked new Guardian Spirit abilities when destroyed, lost Kodama spirits, and enemy outposts that remain sealed until the Dark Realm is cleared. The new jump action further opened up the battlefield, allowing me to scale rocky cliffs and leap across floating stone islands. This addition of vertical exploration greatly broadens an area’s possibilities.

Master the arts of two new fighting styles: Samurai and Ninja

Another highlight of Nioh 3 is the ability to master two different fighting styles: Samurai and Ninja. A simple press of the R2 button swaps between the two, altering stats, weapons, skill sets, and even visuals — effectively giving your character two distinct builds in combat.

The Samurai style closely mirrors the classic Nioh experience. It lets you wield weapons such as katanas, dual swords, odachi, and spears to deliver devastating blows. Pressing R1 with precision after an attack triggers the Ki Pulse, which restores a portion of your spent stamina (Ki) and dispels the Dark Realm created by yokai that otherwise disrupts Ki recovery.

A new mechanic called Arts Proficiency introduces a gauge that fills up as you attack and guard. Once maxed out, you can unleash a powerful strike or martial skill to boost its strength. Attacks enhanced by Arts Proficiency don’t consume Ki, making them particularly useful for managing stamina.

The Samurai’s defensive prowess stands out with its guard mechanic. By guarding right before an enemy’s attack lands, you trigger a Deflect that not only restores Ki but also charges the Arts gauge and Ninjutsu gauge. The Ki recovery effect is especially powerful. Nailing the timing on a perfect guard is challenging, but the payoff is deeply rewarding and satisfying.

In contrast, the Ninja style excels with agile movement and efficient Ki consumption. Its arsenal includes tonfa, kusarigama, tekko claws, and reverse-grip dual swords, all focused on chaining rapid combos. Attacks from behind deal extra damage, empowering players to master a playstyle built on agility, flanking, and relentless chains of attacks.

Two signature mechanics set the Ninja apart: Evade and Mist. Evade is essentially a perfect dodge that restores Ki and boosts the Ninjutsu and Arts gauges. Mist summons a phantom clone when you press R1 at the right moment after an attack, drawing enemy focus to the clone and opening opportunities to strike from behind. Mist’s cunning move is a perfect showcase of ninja combat.

Ninjutsu adds another layer to the Ninja style and comes in many forms. Some ninjutsu deliver immense power, while others provide precise homing capabilities, allowing players to maintain an edge from a distance. Unlike the previous games, where ninjutsu had limited uses, skills can be activated repeatedly in Nioh 3 as long as the Ninjutsu gauge is charged.

Use Style Shift to counter deadly enemy moves

Switching between Samurai and Ninja styles with the R2 button is called Style Shift. Using Style Shift in combat unlocks a wide range of tactical options.

Style Shift can also interrupt critical enemy attacks. When an enemy glows red, it signals an incoming unblockable attack. Executing a perfectly timed Style Shift at that moment triggers a Burst Break, turning imminent danger into a powerful counterattack. This mechanic is essential for handling tough bosses, and it stands out as one of the core combat systems in Nioh 3.

Facing the great tiger yokai, Takeda Shingen

Next, I faced a high-stakes battle against Takeda Shingen, who had transformed into a colossal tiger demon. He unleashed rapid four-armed claw combos that transitioned into devastating, wide-area slam attacks.

Shingen also summoned the Dark Realm, twisting the battlefield into a chilling underworld where a field of red spider lilies quickly blossomed and withered, plunging the area into darkness. Within this realm, his assault grew even more vicious, mixing aerial feints, plunging strikes, and massive fireball projectiles.

Even with the full time limit, I failed to bring Shingen down. I was slashed, crushed, burned, and defeated more times than I could count. There were times I came close, only to falter under the immense pressure. Yet this very struggle is what makes Nioh so rewarding and fun to play.