Fri Feb 06 04:40:00 UTC 2026: ### Nioh 3 Revolutionizes Soulslike Genre with Open World and Innovative Combat
The Story:
Team Ninja’s Nioh 3, released in early 2026, marks a significant departure from its predecessors, establishing itself as a top-tier soulslike title. The game abandons static overworld maps for expansive open fields spanning multiple eras of Japanese history. This is coupled with the introduction of a new Ninja Stance, radically altering the combat mechanics. While the storytelling remains a weak point, the exceptional combat, rewarding exploration, and extensive customization options solidify Nioh 3’s position as a standout in the genre.
Key Points:
- Nioh 3 features a complete transformation of the formula, moving to an open-world structure across various Japanese historical periods.
- The addition of a Ninja Stance complements the existing Samurai Stance, offering players diverse combat styles.
- The game retains the series’ signature difficulty but balances it with well-placed checkpoints and quick load times.
- Exploration is heavily incentivized with numerous rewards, including stat bonuses, skill points, and new abilities.
- The loot system is geared more towards New Game+ playthroughs, with an auto-equip feature to ease the initial experience.
- The story continues to serve as a backdrop to guide players through fictionalized retellings of Japanese historical battles and wars.
Key Takeaways:
- Nioh 3 demonstrates Team Ninja’s willingness to innovate and evolve the soulslike formula.
- The open-world structure and dual combat stances provide players with increased freedom and customization.
- While the story remains a weak point, the game’s strengths in combat and exploration outweigh this drawback.
- The game retains the Nioh series’ signature difficulty, providing a challenging and rewarding experience for soulslike veterans.
- The successful overhaul of the game signals a potential shift in future soulslike design towards more open and expansive environments.
First Piper 