The critically acclaimed new console exclusive PS5 is now available

Nioh 3 is now on PlayStation 5 and PC, which debuted to overwhelmingly positive critical acclaim. Its first review places the PS5 exclusive as a serious contender for the best soul game of 2026.

Koei Tecmo's Nioh franchise has enjoyed a strong following among soulslike fans since the first entry in the series, released in 2017. The 2020 Nioh 2 expanded upon the original formula by introducing additional weapons and some extra mechanics, including Yokai skills that temporarily turn the protagonist into a demon. The third series was announced in June 2025, finally launching for PS5 and PC on February 6, 2026.

7 Best Nioh 3 Tips & Tricks

Here are some simple things you can do to change the way you play Nioh 3 while making the overall experience a little easier.

Nioh 3 launches to rave reviews

Soon Nioh 3 reviews are overwhelmingly positive, as reflected in the game's “Mighty” rating on OpenCritic, with an average score of 85 and a 93% recommendation rate. For further context, it's currently in the top 7% of the best-rated titles in OpenCritic's database going back to 2016. The most consistent praise between launch day Nioh 3 The review focuses on the depth of combat and flexibility in gameplay, both of which are described as marking new heights for the Soul-like series. While the old weapon stances are still included as skills to unlock, the core of the combat experience now revolves around instantly switching between the highly customizable Samurai and Ninja playstyles.

Critics also point to Nioh 3's boss list as remarkably diverse and rewarding to master. The review further praises the move towards a more open structure, drawing comparisons to Team Ninja Rise of the Roninwith a large world divided into smaller, freely explorable areas. Several reviewers said that the move away from the mission-based format complements it Nioh's progression loop of acquiring equipment, confronting powerful enemies, and upgrading equipment.

What reviewers didn't like about Nioh 3

Who is that character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Who is that character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Easy (7.5s) Medium (5.0s) Hard (2.5s) Permadeath (2.5s)

Some reviewers were less enthusiastic about the game's open-world activities, describing them as underwhelming and comparing them to similar criticism leveled at Rise of the Ronin. Others point to the series' known issues, noting that loot and menu management can be cumbersome. Technical impressions have been mixed, with critics suggesting that the PC version is less polished than its PS5 counterpart. Despite these concerns, OpenCritic's data ranks Nioh 3 among the five best-rated PS5 releases so far in 2026 and the strongest rated souls arriving on Sony's consoles this year.

The 10 best-rated PS5 games of 2026, according to OpenCritic

#	Game	Avg. Score	% Recommend	Release date
1	Affectionate	87	88%	February 5th
2	Cult of the Lamb: Woolhaven	87	100%	January 22
3	Cairn	86	92%	January 29
4	Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined	85	94%	February 5th
5	Nioh 3	85	93%	February 6
6	The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon	83	91%	January 15th
7	MIO: Memories in Orbit	83	83%	January 20th
8	Escape from Ever After	81	56%	January 23rd
9	2XKO	80	100%	January 20th
10	Arknights: Endfield	79	88%	January 22

Promising early reviews aside, Team Ninja isn't done yet Nioh 3 yet. The Japanese developer has already committed to substantial post-launch content, which includes two paid DLC packs. The former is slated to debut in September 2026, while the latter is targeted for a February 2027 launch. Both are expected to introduce new story content and weapons, among other things. The add-ons are not currently sold separately, but can only be pre-purchased through the Season Pass for $39.99.

This was recently announced by publisher Koei Tecmo Nioh 3The exclusivity of the PS5 console was only negotiated for a period of six months. In other words, critically acclaimed souls could jump on the Xbox Series X/S before the end of the year.