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Nioh 3: Release Date, Story, Combat, and Everything We Know

Last Updated: November 3, 2025

Nioh 3 key art featuring protagonist Tokugawa Takechiyo in a battle stance.

The wait is almost over. Following its electrifying reveal at the June 2025 State of Play, Team Ninja has officially locked in the launch date for its highly anticipated samurai soulslike. Nioh 3 is confirmed to release on February 6, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and PC. Preorders for the Standard and a special Launch Edition are now live, heralding the return of one of the most demanding and rewarding action RPG series in modern gaming.

This next chapter promises not only a brutal return to the Sengoku period but also a bold new narrative direction, placing players in the shoes of a young Tokugawa Takechiyo—the man who would one day become the legendary shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Nioh 3: Release Date, Platforms, and Editions

Mark your calendars for a deadly journey into feudal Japan. Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo have set the official release date for Nioh 3 as February 6, 2026. In a welcome move for PC players, the game will launch simultaneously on PC and PlayStation 5, a first for the series which previously saw staggered releases.

Two primary editions are currently available for preorder:

  • Standard Edition ($69.99): Includes the base game, available both digitally and physically.
  • Launch Edition ($69.99): For the same price, early adopters can secure this physical edition which includes the base game and a collectible steelbook case.

A New Shogun's Story: The Rise of Tokugawa Takechiyo

While Nioh and its sequel focused on the tales of William Adams and the custom protagonist "Hide," Nioh 3 takes a more focused historical approach. The announcement trailer confirmed players will experience the rise of Tokugawa Takechiyo. This narrative shift offers a fascinating opportunity to explore the formative years of one of Japan's most pivotal figures, blending historical events with the series' signature dark fantasy and demonic yokai.

Fans can expect to witness Takechiyo's journey from a young heir forced from the shogunate to a hardened warrior, all while battling the supernatural forces corrupting the land. This focused narrative may provide a more intimate and character-driven story than ever before.

Evolving the Blade: What's New in Combat?

The Nioh franchise is celebrated for its incredibly deep and precise combat, and Nioh 3 is set to push that formula forward. While the beloved stance system, Ki Pulse, and Diablo-style loot grind are almost certain to return, trailers have hinted at a significant new mechanic: the ability to utilize "two distinct combat styles."

While details remain scarce, this could be an evolution of the Yokai Shift from Nioh 2, or perhaps a new system allowing players to switch between a human-centric "samurai" style and a more aggressive, demonic "yokai" style on the fly. This duality will likely be at the heart of both the gameplay and Takechiyo's personal journey.

The return of the robust character creator and an arsenal of new weapon types to join the likes of the Katana, Switchglaive, and Splitstaff are also high on fans' wishlists. With the power of current-gen hardware, we can anticipate more complex level design, more terrifying yokai, and enhanced visual fidelity that will make every deadly encounter more visceral than ever.

The Culmination of Team Ninja's Mastery

Nioh 3 doesn't exist in a vacuum. It arrives after a period of incredible output from Team Ninja, a studio at the peak of its craft. The fast-paced, deflection-focused combat of Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty and the ambitious open-world design of Rise of the Ronin have undoubtedly provided invaluable lessons. Elements from these titles—be it more fluid traversal, intricate parry systems, or more open-ended level design—are likely to be woven into the fabric of Nioh 3.

The series has carved its own legendary path in the soulslike genre by combining historical settings, profound combat mechanics, and an addictive loot system. Nioh 3 is poised to be the ultimate expression of this identity, a culmination of years of refinement. The road to February may be fraught with anticipation, but for those ready to face death again, another masocore masterpiece awaits.