At this year's Tokyo Game Show 2025, I had the opportunity to play Nioh 3 – the latest title from Team Ninja, a studio known for its relentless combat and precise design in its games. Although I played the demo for only about thirty minutes, it was enough to realize that the series is making a grand return, bringing a sense of depth and weight that is rarely seen in modern action games.
First impression: a perfect combination of realism and mythology
From the first step through the fog-covered village, Nioh 3 clearly indicates that it aims high. The visual presentation is stunning - textures, lighting, and environmental details appear almost photorealistic, and the effects of fire, smoke, and rain create an atmosphere that can literally be “felt.” The game uses a new version of its internal engine, which is evident in every frame: the physics of movement, weapon collisions, and even small details like footprints in the snow feel incredibly natural.
In the demo version, everything worked flawlessly. I didn't encounter any glitches or bugs, and the performance was stable, but I heard that the team is still working on optimizing the open-world part of the game.
Combat that pulls you in
However, the biggest impression comes from the combat system. Nioh 3 takes the familiar formula of precise, tactical battles but deepens it further. Players can now choose between two combat styles: Samurai and Ninja, and can switch between them mid-fight. The Samurai style brings strength and defensive security, while the Ninja style allows for quick, acrobatic maneuvers and the use of tricks like smoke and clones.
The most interesting addition is Style Shift, a mechanic that allows you to change styles at the right moment and counter an enemy while executing a power attack. That moment when everything hits just right provides that familiar feeling of adrenaline and satisfaction that is at the core of the Nioh series.
The fights are tough but fair; every miss is felt, and every victory is rewarding. The physics of the weapons feel real, every strike has weight, and every block sounds like a clash of steel against steel.
A world that breathes through details
Even in the limited space of the demo version, Nioh 3 shows how much attention it pays to atmosphere. The sound of the wind, distant drums, flickering lanterns, and eerie sighs of yokai creatures create a sense of presence. There is no “fast passing” through the world; every location compels you to stop, look around, and feel the weight of time and struggle.
Although I didn't manage to try the open-world part of the game, the impression is that Team Ninja is heading towards greater openness and freedom of access, but without sacrificing the sense of tension and precision for which the series is known.
Conclusion
After 30 minutes spent in Nioh 3, I can say that the game left an extremely strong impression. Physical authenticity, perfect graphics, and a deep combat system make it one of the most anticipated action games of next year.
If the rest of the game maintains this level of quality and technical stability, Nioh 3 could easily become the new standard in the genre.
For now – a solid nine in preview.
