Six years after Nioh 2 and a brief trip to ancient China with Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, Team Ninja returns to its flagship soulslike series. Nioh 3 proves that the wait was well worth it.
Fans will recognize the fast-paced, demanding combat and deep character building, but the game also draws on experimentation from the studio's other titles. The semi-open world is reminiscent of Rise of the Ronin, while the new dual-style fighting system evokes the flexibility of Ninja Gaiden and Stranger of Paradise. The result is the culmination of a decade of work in a bold evolution of the formula that retains the series' distinctive identity.
Fighting and styles
The main new feature is the Samurai and Ninja style system. Samurai brings tough duels and powerful martial arts, while Ninja emphasizes agility, speed, and magic. Both styles have their own weapons and armor, which encourages experimentation. Switching between styles keeps the combat fresh, although Ninja can seem overly powerful in the early stages.
Research and progress
Instead of selecting missions from a map, players now explore connected regions, increasing their exploration levels to uncover temples, treasures, and skill items. The ability to reset character builds for free makes experimentation easy, while a new Title system and challenging Crucible areas add depth and difficulty to progression.
Story
Players take on the role of Tokugawa Takechiyo, who faces political intrigue and battlefields filled with yokai demons across generations of Japan's Warring States period. Historical figures like Hattori Hanzo return, but the expanded timeline and diverse locations give Nioh 3 a broader scope than previous games.
Performance and accessibility
On PC, performance can be choppy, with forced DLSS and frame drops in denser environments. Accessibility options are modest but useful, including customizable controls, subtitles available in a variety of sizes, and color adjustments for the visually impaired.
Conclusion
Nioh 3 is both an improvement and a reinvention. The game has a slower pace of difficulty, making the series more accessible, but it still delivers brutal boss fights and high-stakes Crucible challenges for veterans. While technical issues occasionally hamper the experience, the depth of combat, exploration, and atmosphere make this one of Team Ninja's strongest titles.
Recommendation: If you're willing to overlook the occasional technical glitches, Nioh 3 is a must-play, an exciting soulslike that rewards every ounce of persistence.
The text was prepared by the GL team in cooperation with "Vijesti". For even more gaming content, visit www.gamerslife.me
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