Nioh 3 is already locked in as my favorite Soulslike of 2026, feeling like Team Ninja’s response to Elden Ring with its open exploration and intense yokai clashes

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Nioh 3 is often described as a Soulslike game, but that label doesn’t quite capture its unique style. Team Ninja has created a fast-paced, action-packed combat system blending samurai and ninja techniques against terrifying demons. The Nioh series – including the excellent Wo-Long – feels like a natural progression from the Ninja Gaiden games, while also taking inspiration from the influential Demon’s Souls and Dark Souls.

Team Ninja calls this style of gameplay “masocore.” It’s a departure from the fast-paced, over-the-top action of Ninja Gaiden 4, favoring a slightly more deliberate and strategic approach—though it’s still incredibly fast-paced. Nioh 3, in particular, features incredibly refined combat. You can seamlessly switch weapons during combos and instantly change between playing as a samurai or a ninja. Battles are intense, quick trades of attacks and blocks, ultimately reducing demonic enemies to dust.

Ultimately, skillful management of stamina is key to fulfilling your hero’s potential. If you don’t manage it well, you’ll find yourself vulnerable and struggling – something a master like Ryu Hayabusa would never allow. Nioh 3 offers both incredible depth in combat and plenty of opportunities to make mistakes, thanks to its open world areas and dual-protagonist system. It demands the same delicate balance as a ninja walking a tightrope.

Ninja power

I remember talking to Fumihiko Yasuda, the head of Team Ninja and producer on Nioh, last year, and he jokingly admitted that everyone at Team Ninja is a huge fan of Dark Souls – we really are! It’s a genre that always comes up in conversation, and honestly, we get it. It feels like game developers are still building on what made Dark Souls’ combat so popular, even though it’s famously challenging.

The development team acknowledges that their signature action style gives Nioh a unique feel. Producer Kohei Shibata explains they’re known for fast-paced action, a trait seen in their previous games like Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive. They hope this approach will innovate and improve the action genre.

I’ve spent a good amount of time playing an early version of Nioh 3, exploring both its new, expansive open areas and its more traditional, dungeon-like levels. It truly feels unique. However, it’s also clear that Nioh 3 is, in many ways, a direct response to Elden Ring, and that’s a good thing for the action RPG genre as a whole.

Okay, so I’ll admit, when I heard Nioh 3 was going open world, I was a little worried. As someone who’s been following Koei Tecmo for a while – I remember when they tried making Atelier Firis, Dynasty Warriors 9, and Toukiden 2 all open world around 2016-2018 – and honestly, it didn’t always work out. Two of those games really struggled, though I still think Toukiden 2 was pretty good!

Team Ninja seems to have found a great balance in Nioh 3, based on what I’ve played. The game features large, open areas that feel substantial and allow for exploration. You’re encouraged to venture into risky spots, and the game naturally guides you to key locations at your own speed. Fast travel and the freedom to explore make it a less punishing experience than previous Nioh games. These areas feel like a playful playground where you can experiment with different strategies, which then come in handy during the more difficult parts of the game.

The game’s challenges are presented as dungeon-like levels similar to those in previous Nioh games, and they’re impressively difficult – in a good way. However, with more options for how you play, it feels easier to gain an advantage. The ability to instantly switch between samurai and ninja styles, each with its own unique equipment, is a particularly clever design choice.

I really appreciate how Nioh 3 lets you completely change your build during combat. Elden Ring had re-specs, but it felt clunky and you didn’t get many chances to do it. Nioh 3 makes switching between samurai and ninja styles a core part of the gameplay, letting you adapt on the fly. Honestly, it’s awesome! If you can’t handle my character when I’m playing as a samurai, just wait until I switch to ninja mode – these yokai bosses are in for a surprise!

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2026-01-18 17:10