Nioh 3 Announced at Sony's State of Play

The wait is finally over - Team Ninja has pulled back the curtain on Nioh 3 during Sony's State of Play showcase today. Mark your calendars for early 2026, when this highly anticipated action RPG sequel arrives with revolutionary changes.

A New Era of Combat Emerges

The debut trailer showcased breathtaking open landscapes alongside deep mechanical innovations. For the first time in the franchise, players can master both Samurai and Ninja combat styles - and you can try them out immediately in today's surprise demo release.

"In Nioh 3, players take control of a formidable young warrior destined to claim the Shogunate," reads PlayStation Blog's exclusive reveal. "While we'll save his motivation for battling yokai as a story surprise, the true revelation lies in the dual combat systems that redefine the series' signature action."

Samurai Style - Precision Perfected

Fans craving Nioh's trademark blade combat won't be disappointed. The Samurai style retains that visceral clash of steel while introducing:

• Arts Proficiency - Martial arts techniques grow deadlier with mastery
• Deflect - A hair-trigger parry that turns enemy momentum against them

Ninja Style - Shadow Warfare

The new Ninja approach revolutionizes mobility with:

• Mist Technique - Leave behind shadow clones after striking
• Evade - Slip through the narrowest attack windows
• Aerial superiority - Dominate battles from angles enemies can't counter

Boundless Exploration Meets Brutal Challenge

"Between battles, players will navigate expansive open fields teeming with danger," the blog continues. "Whether investigating blood-soaked villages or testing skills in the lethal Crucible, every environment tells its own terrifying story."

The IGN team - longtime champions of the franchise - reacted enthusiastically to the announcement. Following our 9.6/10 review of the original ("an epic, unforgettable adventure") and 9/10 praise for Nioh 2 ("stellar combat meets satisfying difficulty"), we're counting down to 2026.

Catch up on everything revealed during Sony's State of Play June 2025 showcase below.

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