Nioh 3 was unexpectedly released during the June 2025 PlayStation State of Play! Here's all you need to know about the game's launch and its time-limited demo.

Nioh 3 Arrives in Early 2026

Play a Limited-Time Demo Starting Now!

Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja have officially unveiled Nioh 3, the next chapter in their beloved dark fantasy action-RPG saga. The reveal trailer offered a first look at the game and confirmed an early 2026 release. In a thrilling surprise, a limited-time demo for Nioh 3 dropped immediately after the show, available exclusively on PlayStation 5.

This demo is playable starting today, June 4, through June 18. As stated in Team Ninja's PlayStation Blog press release, "This is your opportunity to experience our work-in-progress and help us shape the definitive Nioh experience. We welcome your feedback via a survey on our official website after you've played."

Fans have eagerly awaited the series' return since Nioh debuted in 2017 and its acclaimed sequel launched in 2020. Team Ninja is ready to push the action-RPG boundaries once again. Fumihiko Yasuda, General Producer and Head of Team Ninja, shared the team's excitement, inviting both veterans and newcomers to discover the "profound satisfaction of overcoming relentless challenges."

Nioh 3 Game Overview

Team Ninja's press release sets Nioh 3 in Japan's turbulent Sengoku period. Players will step into the role of the legendary Tokugawa Ieyasu, introduced in the trailer by his childhood name, Takechiyo.

As the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, which governed Japan for over 250 years, Takechiyo is revered as a master strategist. While full plot details remain under wraps, the story will chronicle his rise during the era's constant warfare and supernatural yokai threats. "His dedication to battling yokai is a key mystery we'll explore another time," Yasuda hinted.

The game introduces an "open field" setting, moving beyond the more structured levels of past titles. Players can anticipate "unexpected clashes with powerful yokai, explore villages hiding violent secrets, and face the grueling trials of The Crucible." The exact nature of "The Crucible" is yet to be revealed.

Despite portraying a historical icon, the demo includes the "popular character creation feature from the previous game," allowing players to craft their own unique hero.

A new dual-combat system lets players switch seamlessly between Samurai and Ninja styles. The Samurai style delivers the series' signature close-quarters combat, enhanced by new mechanics like "Arts Proficiency" for improving skills and "Deflect" for parrying enemy attacks.

The Ninja style emphasizes agility and aerial maneuvers. Players can employ various "Ninjutsu" techniques mid-air, such as "Mist" to leave a decoy after attacking and "Evade" for precise dodges, creating openings to strike enemies from behind.

More information will be shared as the 2026 launch approaches, but players can get an early preview with the demo available now. For the latest news on Nioh 3, explore our related article below.