{"id":17259,"date":"2026-02-04T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yohrt.com\/news\/nioh-3-review-ps5\/"},"modified":"2026-02-04T14:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T14:00:00","slug":"nioh-3-review-ps5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yohrt.com\/news\/nioh-3-review-ps5\/","title":{"rendered":"#Nioh 3 Review (PS5)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/yohrt.com\/news\/nioh-3-review-ps5\/#Nioh_3_Review_PS5\" >Nioh 3 Review (PS5)<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/yohrt.com\/news\/nioh-3-review-ps5\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Nioh_3_Review_PS5\"><\/span>Nioh 3 Review (PS5)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<div class=\"body body-text article-text\">\n<section class=\"text\">\n<figure class=\"picture\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"scanlines\" title=\"Nioh 3 Review - Screenshot 1 of 6\" href=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/161658\/large.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/161658\/900x.jpg\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Nioh 3 Review - Screenshot 1 of 6\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<p>If FromSoftware can do it, then Team Ninja believes it can too. Having established one of the best Dark Souls copycats in the Nioh series, the Japanese developer is chasing its own Elden Ring moment.<\/p>\n<p>Nioh 3 isn\u2019t quite that, but it still marks a new highlight for the franchise. This is all the best bits of the developer\u2019s past attempts \u2014 the Nioh games, Rise of the Ronin, and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty \u2014 rolled into one.<\/p>\n<p>Whereas the first two titles were linear, mission-based affairs, the third expands to suit an open zone structure. Multiple maps spanning different locations and time periods allow you freedom to explore, level up, complete side quests, and eventually make your way to the main objective.<\/p>\n<div class=\"for-mobile insert insert-label\">\n<div id=\"inject-primis-player\" data-src-primis=\"https:\/\/live.primis.tech\/live\/liveView.php?s=117168&amp;vp_content=plembed39b4tigwxqjz&amp;cbuster=%%CACHEBUSTER%%&amp;playerApiId=primis_player_float&amp;schain=1.0,1!ziffdavis.com,22392450815,1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>It\u2019s like if Elden Ring\u2019s gigantic playspace was broken up and divided by load screens, then splattered with Ubisoft-style activity icons. This is a rather dated, stereotypical approach to open game design: you\u2019ll clear out enemy camps, source new gear from chests, and find simple collectibles. Everything gets marked on the map once you get close, so there\u2019s little in the way of true exploration or secrets.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"picture\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"scanlines\" title=\"Nioh 3 Review - Screenshot 2 of 6\" href=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/161664\/large.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/161664\/900x.jpg\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Nioh 3 Review - Screenshot 2 of 6\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<p>Still, this is an evolution of the Nioh formula that works. The hardcore action the franchise has become known for is elevated by these basic distractions, providing new ways to test your skills or improve your build.<\/p>\n<p>Some maps are open stretches of fields with villages and settlements to break them up, while others are proper built-up areas that\u2019ll have you weaving in and out of streets, houses, and enemy bases. There\u2019s also an overall theme to each zone, with one gripped by a freezing winter while another is crumbling away into the earth.<\/p>\n<div class=\"insert-label centered insert lazyload for-mobile insert-extended lazyload\">\n<div id=\"PS_MPU_X_D69835B5D682CA\" style=\"min-width:300px; min-height:250px;display:flex; flex-wrap: wrap; align-items:center; justify-content: center;\" data-dfp-id=\"pushsquare\/mobile_web_display\/article\" data-dfp-sizes=\"300x250,300x600\" data-dfp-targeting=\"pos=1,gto=false,experiment=nl-article-mobile-2\" class=\"lazyload\" data-dfp-refresh-direct=\"true\" data-prebid-config=\"Lazy_Load_HP_MPU\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>These maps are broken up by smaller, linear levels that progress the story, pleasing those who loved the design of the first two instalments. However, you can\u2019t return to them, so Nioh 3 and its longevity live or die on those larger zones.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"picture\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"scanlines\" title=\"Nioh 3 Review - Screenshot 3 of 6\" href=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/161668\/large.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/161668\/900x.jpg\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Nioh 3 Review - Screenshot 3 of 6\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<p>While lacking originality, it just about thrives.<\/p>\n<p>The game has the same hook as Elden Ring, just on a smaller scale: if you\u2019re stuck, simply go somewhere else and return later, levelled up. Side quests and optional activities supply ways to upgrade your character, and thanks to the trademark Nioh loot system, you\u2019ll constantly be earning better weapons and armour.<\/p>\n<p>Nothing about the game\u2019s structural stretch is particularly original; modern Soulslikes have all adopted the model, and the side activities do little to stand out. Nioh 3 still works in this setting, though, as its constant pursuit for better gear and upgrades makes those moments of over-familiarity worth it.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"picture\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"scanlines\" title=\"Nioh 3 Review - Screenshot 4 of 6\" href=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/161661\/large.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/161661\/900x.jpg\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Nioh 3 Review - Screenshot 4 of 6\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<p>Fuelling the game\u2019s wider scope is the returning Nioh combat system, which, this time, is split into two distinct styles: Samurai and Ninja. Your custom character always has access to them both, switching between them during battle to utilise their exclusive moves and benefits.<\/p>\n<p>Samurai continues the traditional Nioh experience, where managing your stamina bar and performing Ki Pulses is critical alongside blocks, parries, and hard-hitting weapons.<\/p>\n<div class=\"insert-label centered insert lazyload for-mobile lazyload\">\n<div id=\"PS_MPU_X_Q69835B5D68313\" style=\"min-width:300px; min-height:250px;display:flex; flex-wrap: wrap; align-items:center; justify-content: center;\" data-dfp-id=\"pushsquare\/mobile_web_display\/article\" data-dfp-sizes=\"300x250\" data-dfp-targeting=\"pos=1,gto=false,experiment=nl-article-mobile-3\" class=\"lazyload\" data-dfp-refresh-direct=\"true\" data-prebid-config=\"Lazy_Load_HP_MPU\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Ninja, on the other hand, is all about agility, deception, and fast attacks. Replacing the Ki Pulse move is a dodge that places a silhouette in your original position to trick the enemy \u2014 may they be yokai or human. You can use Ninjutsu items like bombs and shurikens, recharge your stamina through evasion, and more easily sneak about for stealth takedowns.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s important to invest in both combat styles because different situations and monsters demand a particular approach. With skill trees tied to the two combat styles and every weapon type in the game, there\u2019s a serious amount of depth to explore as a whole. You could still get by just focusing on one, but to do so would essentially deny you half the combat system \u2014 there\u2019s just that much to it.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"picture\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"scanlines\" title=\"Nioh 3 Review - Screenshot 5 of 6\" href=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/161657\/large.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/161657\/900x.jpg\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Nioh 3 Review - Screenshot 5 of 6\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<p>With a Guardian Spirit to flesh out your build with magical skills and a temporary, ultimate state called a Living Artifact, the title goes beyond standard sword swipes and hammer stomps to delight with a variety of abilities and attacks.<\/p>\n<p>By improving upon the past two entries and other Team Ninja titles, Nioh 3 is the culmination of nearly a decade of work. You\u2019ll struggle to find better melee action all year.<\/p>\n<div class=\"insert-label centered insert lazyload for-mobile lazyload\">\n<div id=\"PS_MPU_X_X69835B5D68342\" style=\"min-width:300px; min-height:250px;display:flex; flex-wrap: wrap; align-items:center; justify-content: center;\" data-dfp-id=\"pushsquare\/mobile_web_display\/article\" data-dfp-sizes=\"300x250\" data-dfp-targeting=\"pos=1,gto=false,experiment=nl-article-mobile-4\" class=\"lazyload\" data-dfp-refresh-direct=\"true\" data-prebid-config=\"Lazy_Load_HP_MPU\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>It\u2019s also the most approachable the series has ever been. The general difficulty of Nioh 3 feels a touch below its predecessors; we were able to roll credits with only a few bosses giving us much trouble along the way. With AI companions and co-op features allowing help from friends, there are ways to mitigate the challenge of the roughly 45-hour campaign.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s still a brutal experience overall that\u2019ll punish you for any lapses in concentration and mistakes, but with the open zones backing it, there are more ways of getting better. Nioh 3 feels considerably more accessible as a result.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"picture\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"scanlines\" title=\"Nioh 3 Review - Screenshot 6 of 6\" href=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/161653\/large.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/161653\/900x.jpg\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Nioh 3 Review - Screenshot 6 of 6\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<p>It all culminates in a very familiar title overall, yet expanded and enhanced in all the right ways. The intense action that\u2019s got the Nioh series to a third entry remains the highlight, and its bigger maps deliver more ways to engage in it.<\/p>\n<p>There is a time-jumping narrative supporting things, but it quickly becomes background noise to the fighting. Nioh 3 is all about building your character for the challenges ahead by clearing its open zone activities, finishing quests for loot, and overcoming boss encounters. The action is the point, and that\u2019s where it\u2019s at its best.<\/p>\n<div class=\"insert-label centered insert lazyload for-mobile lazyload\">\n<div id=\"PS_MPU_X_L69835B5D6836C\" style=\"min-width:300px; min-height:250px;display:flex; flex-wrap: wrap; align-items:center; justify-content: center;\" data-dfp-id=\"pushsquare\/mobile_web_display\/article\" data-dfp-sizes=\"300x250\" data-dfp-targeting=\"pos=1,gto=false,experiment=nl-article-mobile-5\" class=\"lazyload\" data-dfp-refresh-direct=\"true\" data-prebid-config=\"Lazy_Load_HP_MPU\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The game is mostly fit for purpose at launch, though patches after the fact will need to address glaring frame rate drops \u2014 even on PS5 Pro in Performance Mode. Especially when the screen is crowded with enemies, Nioh 3 suffers from hitches and a stuttery frame rate. It\u2019s far from smooth, even when simply running around the environment.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"text conclusion summary\" id=\"conclusion\">\n<h2 class=\"heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Nioh 3 takes all the best bits from Team Ninja\u2019s previous efforts to form its greatest action experience in a very long time. Its new open zone maps provide more ways than ever to engage with its sublime, intense combat system \u2014 even if the activities themselves are entirely unoriginal. This is a familiar feeling title for a fanbase that knows what it wants, for few franchises do hardcore action better. Nioh 3 is its latest triumph.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<aside class=\"positive-negative\">\n<ul class=\"positives\">\n<li class=\" first\">Familiar, hardcore Nioh action<\/li>\n<li>Two distinct combat styles<\/li>\n<li>Nice variety of locations<\/li>\n<li class=\" last\">Most accessible game in the series<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"negatives\">\n<li class=\" first\">Open zone activities are very simple<\/li>\n<li class=\" last\">Frame rate drops and hitches<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"scoring rating\">\n<p class=\"stars\"><span class=\"icon icon-star accent\"><\/span><span class=\"icon icon-star accent\"><\/span><span class=\"icon icon-star accent\"><\/span><span class=\"icon icon-star accent\"><\/span><span class=\"icon icon-star accent\"><\/span><span class=\"icon icon-star accent\"><\/span><span class=\"icon icon-star accent\"><\/span><span class=\"icon icon-star accent\"><\/span><span class=\"icon icon-star\"><\/span><span class=\"icon icon-star\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"score\"><span class=\"accent\">Great<\/span> <span class=\"value accent\">8<\/span>\/<span class=\"best\">10<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"policy\">Review copy provided by Koei Tecmo<br \/><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"ethics#product-reviews\">How we review products<\/a><br \/><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"scoring#score-8\">Scoring Policy<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/yohrt.com\/news\/game\/\" target=\"_blank\" >Game<\/a><\/span> category.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pushsquare.com\/reviews\/ps5\/nioh-3\" target=\"_blank\" >Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nioh 3 Review (PS5) If FromSoftware can do it, then Team Ninja believes it can too. Having established one of the best Dark Souls copycats in the Nioh series, the Japanese developer is chasing its own Elden Ring moment. Nioh 3 isn\u2019t quite that, but it still marks a new highlight for the franchise. This&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17260,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/886b73cdfc690\/1280x720.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[1474,2106,1400,1398],"class_list":["post-17259","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-game","tag-koei-tecmo","tag-nioh-3","tag-ps5","tag-reviews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/yohrt.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17259","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/yohrt.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/yohrt.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yohrt.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yohrt.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17259"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/yohrt.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17259\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yohrt.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17260"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/yohrt.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17259"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yohrt.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17259"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yohrt.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17259"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}