Nioh 3 made a surprise appearance at the June 2025 PlayStation State of Play with an unannounced release! Discover more about the game's launch and its time-limited demo.
Nioh 3 Arrives in Early 2026
Limited-Time Demo Out Now!
Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja have officially revealed Nioh 3, the newest entry in their celebrated dark fantasy action RPG franchise. The announcement trailer offered a first look at the upcoming adventure and confirmed an early 2026 launch. In a thrilling turn, a limited-time demo for Nioh 3 dropped exclusively on PlayStation 5 right after the event.
The demo is accessible from today, June 4, through June 18. As mentioned in Team Ninja’s statement on the PlayStation Blog, "This is your opportunity to preview the work we’ve dedicated years to, and we welcome your input as we refine the game into the ultimate Nioh experience!" The team encouraged players to complete a survey on their official site after trying the demo to share their impressions.
Fans have eagerly awaited the series' comeback since the original Nioh launched in 2017, followed by its acclaimed sequel in 2020. Now, Team Ninja aims to raise the bar for action RPGs again. Fumihiko Yasuda, General Producer and Head of Team Ninja, shared the team’s excitement for the reveal, inviting both veterans and newcomers to embrace the "thrill of overcoming relentless challenges."
Nioh 3 Overview
Per Team Ninja’s press release, Nioh 3 unfolds during Japan’s Sengoku period. Players step into the role of Tokugawa Ieyasu, a towering historical figure. In the trailer, however, he introduced himself by his childhood name, Takechiyo.
As the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate that governed Japan for over 200 years, Takechiyo is renowned as a master tactician. While the story remains largely under wraps, it’s anticipated to chart Takechiyo’s ascent amid warring states and the looming yokai menace. "What drives his commitment to fighting yokai? We’ll share that another time," Yasuda noted.
The game will introduce an "open field" design, moving beyond the segmented zones of earlier titles. Players can look forward to "unexpected run-ins with powerful yokai, uncovering ominous villages hiding brutal secrets, and braving the trials of The Crucible." The nature of "The Crucible" remains a mystery for now.
Even though you portray a famous historical leader, the demo includes "the popular character creation feature from the last game," letting players craft "diverse heroes."
Additionally, players can instantly switch between two combat styles—Samurai and Ninja. The Samurai style delivers the up-close, weapon-based combat series fans know, enhanced by new skills like "Arts Proficiency" to boost effectiveness and "Deflect" for countering attacks.
The Ninja style, on the other hand, emphasizes "evasion and aerial mobility." Players can employ various "Ninjutsu" abilities while airborne. Techniques such as "Mist," which creates a decoy after striking, and "Evade," for barely dodging blows, enable players to outsmart enemies and strike from behind.
More information will surface as the release nears, but fans can preview the action with the demo available now. For ongoing Nioh 3 news, explore our related article below!
