Nioh 3, the latest offering from Team Ninja, immediately captivates players with its striking visual introduction, hinting at a grander, more ambitious experience akin to the evolution from Dark Souls to Elden Ring. This installment aims to broaden the scope of the Nioh series by introducing an open-world design, or as the developers describe it, an "open-field" approach, featuring multiple expansive regions set across different historical periods. The core elements of the Soulslike genre are meticulously preserved: challenging combat that punishes recklessness, strategically placed checkpoints, and intricate level design that encourages exploration while cleverly setting traps and offering rewards.
The narrative weaves a tale of betrayal and turmoil in 1622, as protagonist Tokugawa Takechiro confronts his jealous brother, Tokugawa Kunimatsu, who has unleashed hordes of Yokai upon the world. While the story primarily serves as a backdrop for the intense combat and exploration, the game's shift to an open-field structure is its most significant departure. This design choice, though not as seamlessly interconnected as Elden Ring's world, still provides considerable freedom. However, this expansive world comes with a caveat: an abundance of loot that, while offering customization, can lead to frequent inventory management, a mechanic that might detract from the flow compared to other genre titles where every item feels uniquely significant. Despite this, Nioh 3 distinguishes itself by being more transparent with player progression, featuring recommended levels for regions and clearly marked objectives, making it more approachable than its often cryptic counterparts.
Nioh 3 truly shines in its refined combat system, which has undergone an expansion mirroring the game's overall ambition. Players can now seamlessly switch between the agile "ninja" style, emphasizing ranged attacks and swift movements, and the powerful "samurai" style, focused on heavy weaponry and varied stances. This dynamic system, combined with a vast arsenal of martial arts, ninjutsu, and onmyo magic, offers deep customization and strategic depth. Furthermore, the game introduces a player-summoning mechanic for boss fights that, unlike some Soulslike games, doesn't arbitrarily inflate boss health, allowing for more balanced cooperative play. This thoughtful design, making boss encounters challenging but fair, along with the expanded combat options, ultimately positions Nioh 3 as a more accessible entry point to the demanding Soulslike genre, promising a higher player retention rate by striking a balance between difficulty and reward.
Ultimately, Nioh 3 is a testament to the continuous evolution of action RPGs, blending familiar Soulslike tropes with fresh mechanics and an inviting structure. It encourages players to overcome challenges not just through brute force, but through strategic thinking and adaptability. This journey through a beautifully perilous world, filled with mythical creatures and historical intrigue, inspires a sense of perseverance and discovery, proving that even in a genre known for its unforgiving nature, there is always room for growth, innovation, and a renewed sense of adventure.