Nioh 3: The Soulslike you were waiting for

GAMING NEWS Fyra Frost - 05-Feb-2026, 2:30 pm - 49 comments

After years of anticipation, the arrival of Nioh 3 marks a confident return for Team Ninja, and it delivers the most accomplished entry in the series to date. Building on the brutal foundations of its predecessors, the game refines gameplay and nearly every system while introducing meaningful innovations that push the franchise forward rather than simply expanding it. The result is a demanding action RPG that rewards mastery and experimentation in equal measure.

An experience that is as thrilling as difficult

In Nioh 3, combat, which remains fast, technical, and relentlessly punishing. This time, Team Ninja introduces two fully realized fighting identities: the disciplined Samurai and the agile Ninja. Rather than acting as cosmetic variations, these styles significantly alter how encounters play out, encouraging players to switch approaches depending on enemy behavior, terrain, and personal preference. This dual-style system adds flexibility without sacrificing the precise timing and mechanical depth the series is known for.

Another major evolution comes in the game's structure. While Nioh 2 relied on tightly controlled, mission-based levels, Nioh 3 introduces large, semi-open battlefields. These open zones offer optional paths, hidden challenges, and side encounters that reward exploration without drifting into unfocused open-world sprawl. This design strikes an effective balance, offering freedom while preserving the deliberate pacing that defines the series.

Difficulty remains high. Nioh 3 makes no concessions in terms of challenge, maintaining the franchise's reputation for steep learning curves and punishing mistakes. However, clearer tutorials, and better gameplay systems make the game more readable than earlier entries. While newcomers will still face a trial by fire, perseverance is rewarded more consistently, making progression feel much more satisfactory.

Visually and thematically, the game continues to draw heavily from Japanese history and folklore, blending real-world settings with supernatural elements. Enemy designs are striking, environments are densely detailed, and boss encounters remain a standout feature, often combining spectacle with mechanical complexity. That said, a handful of enemies and encounters may feel familiar, particularly to longtime fans of the series.

On the technical side, console versions appear stable and polished, while PC players have reported occasional performance inconsistencies. These issues do not overshadow the overall experience will probably be fixed through post-launch updates.

Taken as a whole, Nioh 3 represents the culmination of Team Ninja's design philosophy. It doesn't attempt to redefine the soulslike genre, but instead claims its own identity within it. The game favors speed, precision, and player expression over cinematic spectacle.

With its ambitious systems, refined combat, and solid design choices, Nioh 3 stands not as the strongest entry in the franchise and a model for future games in the genre. Whether you are a fan of the Nioh series or not already, you should visit our comparator for the best offers on Nioh 3 digital codes.

bonneinne

26-Feb-2026, 8:40 pm on dlcompare.es

I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, it seems that Nioh 3 improves a lot the combat and progression. On the other, it doesn't seem to change the base formula of the saga. I like the idea of exploring more and having optional routes, but I also fear that the pace will suffer. They also say that the performance on PC has inconsistencies, which worries me a bit. I think it will be good, but with details to polish.

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Dlogger

25-Feb-2026, 7:54 pm on dlcompare.es

It is described as a very technical and demanding game, which is fine, but can also limit many players. I find it positive that the tutorials are clearer, although it still sounds like a hard and long learning experience. I like the semi-open design, but it doesn't seem revolutionary either. Overall it sounds like a more refined Nioh, which is good, but not necessarily surprising.

Nachos

25-Feb-2026, 6:09 pm on dlcompare.fr

It's not the soulslike game I was most looking forward to, but it's still an excellent surprise, the best game in the series. The game takes up everything that made the first two opuses so strong: technical combat, a feeling of constant progression, meticulous combos and demanding timing. The duality between samurai and ninja styles brings real variety to the approach to confrontations, and the semi-open areas offer exploration without losing the intensity of the level design. The bosses are varied, some of them quite difficult, but each victory is rewarded. It's a pity that the launch price has been set at €79.99, far too high for what the game offers and for the technical state it's currently in.

ecojarvi

25-Feb-2026, 10:12 am on dlcompare.es

I liked that Nioh 3 manages to balance freedom and classic design. The semi-open battlefields with secrets and optional routes seems perfect to me, because total open worlds usually dilute the intensity. Here they seem to keep the essence but expand possibilities. I also love that they keep relying on Japanese folklore with yokai and historical scenarios. That has always been a strong identity of the saga. The news conveys that this is a careful evolution and not just another sequel.

benozin

24-Feb-2026, 8:12 pm on dlcompare.fr

Honestly, I haven't tested it yet, but I'm still a little conflicted. On paper, it looks ambitious, maybe even too ambitious. The trailers show a very busy game, with lots of mechanics and hyper-technical combat. I'm afraid it could quickly become confusing or repetitive if the balancing isn't perfect. At the same time, the universe seems richer and more open, which could bring a real breath of fresh air. I'll wait a few weeks to see the feedback from the commu

fir3z

23-Feb-2026, 8:50 pm on dlcompare.es

Excellent gameplay, lots of variety, and they improved the co-op with a story progression system through expeditions. The system to change from samurai to ninja is very good; I loved playing as a ninja. Collectibles are no longer a grueling task; you can easily complete them by simply enjoying the map.

Chad

23-Feb-2026, 2:37 pm on dlcompare.es

It all sounds too optimistic for what it really is. They talk about innovations, but in the end it's semi-open combat styles and maps, something we've already seen in many games. Also, they admit that there are familiar enemies and encounters. That sounds like recycling. I get the impression that Nioh 3 is more of a refined expansion than an ambitious sequel. I was expecting something more groundbreaking after so many years.

LaviBorra

22-Feb-2026, 9:05 pm on dlcompare.es

In my opinion, this is a failed attempt to create a new open world game in the series. The open world is built in the purest Ubisoft style. It is filled with junk activities that, after only 5-10 hours, leave you wanting to finish the game without offering new locations.

gennyshark

22-Feb-2026, 12:48 pm on dlcompare.it

The combat, the mechanics of style change, the exploration of the world, everything comes together so perfectly. And the best thing about it all is that this game absolutely respects the players' time. I have played practically every souls game that has come out recently, and I can't help but feel that there was something that didn't work anymore. The way these games implemented difficulty was just wrong for me. I want to be challenged and "have fun" as well, not just challenge myself "more and more." This is where Nioh 3 is a breath of fresh air. The game continues to be challenging, almost at every stage, yet it does not seem to try to overdo it, in fact it does not lose its integrity. No unnecessary 2-step or 3-step bosses, no extremely long comebacks, nothing that makes some encounters unfair (except maybe at the end with those pointy things on the floor, but I guess I'll pretend otherwise). Overall, 10/10 for me

akaydn

21-Feb-2026, 7:22 pm on dlcompare.es

Nioh 3 looks like a solid evolution, but I don't see anything radically new either. The samurai and ninja styles sound interesting, though it's still deep melee combat as usual. I'm also okay with the change to semi-open areas, but I don't know if that will add as much in practice. I like that it keeps the difficulty high and the essence of the saga, but the general feeling is of a continuist improvement rather than a huge leap.