Nioh 3 is performing quite well in terms of sales and overall review progress. As the third game in a series, things can easily turn out badly in every way, which is why it’s so great to see that Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo didn’t shove out a sequel without thinking about it.
Here’s Why Nioh 3’s Ninja Style Is Perfect For Ninja Gaiden Fans
Buckle up, Ninja Gaiden fans, because Nioh 3 has a special treat for you in the form of its Ninja Style.
Thanks to some gameplay changes, like the open-field design and new Ninja Style, Nioh 3 is shaping up to be an accessible Soulslike. For any Xbox player who is looking for similar games to play after featuring ninjas or samurai, or are action RPGs or Soulslikes, then these are some top recommendations.
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Ninja Gaiden 4
Ryu Vs Yakumo
Nioh 3 is being compared a lot to the Ninja Gaiden series for good reason, since Team Ninja developed both, or at least the 3D games. Ninja Gaiden 4 is the latest entry, featuring a new protagonist, Yakumo, alongside some levels that feature the franchise’s mainstay, Ryu.
It’s the perfect jumping-on point since it is the latest game and because there is a new character to sort of reset the pace. Any 3D entry is a good recommendation for those who love the Ninja Style of Nioh 3. Ninja Gaiden 4 isn’t a Soulslike, but it is a hardcore game filled with fast action, deadly moves, and excellent platforming that is just as good as the combat.
Elden Ring
Taking It On The Road
Elden Ring has been a hard game to top since it was released in 2022. It was the first Soulslike that had a true open-world to explore, opening up the possibilities for players to tackle the various areas and bosses in any order. If one area/boss was too challenging, players could explore elsewhere or just grind until they felt strong enough.
With various builds, players could also create something memorable for themselves, either alone or with friends online, plus exploration was so much more fulfilling because of the horse, Torrent. As challenging as it is, this open-ended nature and deep customization options helped make it one of FromSoftware’s most accessible titles, just like Nioh 3 is for Team Ninja.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
The Wolf Howls
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is the exact opposite of Elden Ring because it is the hardest game FromSoftware has ever made. It’s also not technically a Soulslike because there are few progression systems in the game beyond some light upgrades. That means it’s all about skill, and Nioh 3 fans will feel right at home with the combat.
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Wolf is a ninja who survived a fatal blow and got a prosthetic arm in the process, which can be exchanged for various upgrades like a flamethrower. Players also get a katana, a grappling hook to escape or sneak around higher grounds, and other various ninja tools. Stealth is important along with both active and reactive skills, so the challenge is waiting in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.
Monster Hunter Rise
It’s Raining Ninja Dogs And Cats!
Monster Hunter Rise started as a Switch exclusive entry in the series before getting an Xbox One port. Unlike most entries in the series that are all about fantasy, this one has a retro Japanese aesthetic with samurai and ninja designs for the characters and central village. Also, along with the classic cat companions, Palicos, players can also customize a dog friend called a Palamute, which was a first for the franchise.
Palamutes can be ridden in levels, and both pets can assist players in battle if they are hunting monsters solo. The Monster Hunter series is known for its great difficulty, even though it isn’t a Soulslike. By slaying boss-like monsters, players can use parts to craft new weapons and armor to get more powerful. For Nioh fans in general, this is an easy one to recommend since it does have similar theming around ancient Japan.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
Dynasty Warriors As A Soulslike
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is the Chinese equivalent of the Nioh games, basing its characters and ancient demons around Chinese mythology and history. Fans of the Dynasty Warriors series will feel at home as the game shares some familiar historical faces like Lu Bu and Guan Yu, plus it’s another Soulslike from Team Ninja. Players can create their character and level them up at rest areas and find loot along the way.
The action is fast-paced and freeform, like the Ninja Style of Nioh 3, instead of being clunkier and defense-heavy like in Dark Souls. Also, players going at it alone can partner with up to two allies who are named characters instead of being the spirits of random players like in Nioh 3’s Benevolent Graves. Players can even improve their bonds with allies in Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, and get bonuses like the Social Links system of the Persona series.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Two Classes Via Two Characters
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the latest Assassin’s Creed game, which finally sets itself in ancient Japan, and features a fully open-world to explore. Players get two characters to play, and after a brief few hours of setup, they can swap between them before missions. Naoe is a nimble female ninja who can sneak up on enemies and assassinate them with ease, but if things get hectic, she can also hold her own in direct combat.
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Yasuke is a male samurai who is built like an ox, strong enough to wield bigger weapons and even smash through gates. Technically, players can use stealth with Yasuke too, but he’s not as nimble or as quiet. There are pros and cons to Naoe and Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and players will have to strategize which characters fit the given mission best. Like Nioh 3, players can level up both characters and outfit them with various armor sets and weapons.
Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny
Summoning The Power Of Demons
Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny is a remaster of the PS2 original game that doesn’t change much, beyond improving controls, which is for the better. This survival horror game is set in ancient Japan, starring a samurai, Jubei Yagyu, who is part of a mystic clan that can harness the power of benevolent demons. With magic weapons, from swords to spears, players can slay demons with elemental attacks and even transform into a temporary demon state like the Living Artifacts in Nioh 3.
Players can also befriend allies, and depending on story choices, they can even play some of them temporarily. Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny’s combat is a bit more basic compared to any of the Nioh games, but there are counters, and the quick runtime will be an easy one to shake off over a weekend, which makes this PS2 classic worth revisiting on Xbox hardware.
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Soulslike In Spirit
Dragon’s Dogma 2 is an open-world action RPG set in a medieval fantasy world filled with goblins, dragons, and various other monsters. It may not exactly fit the vibe of Nioh series, but the extreme difficulty will certainly give players a run for their money. With their customizable hero and companion, called a Pawn, players can fill out their party with warriors, archers, mages, and the like, and explore the world.
One of the coolest mechanics lets players grab smaller monsters or climb on top of big ones. Picking up a goblin instead of stabbing it and then throwing it off a gorge can create endless hours of fun. Dragon’s Dogma 2 can take a while to get used to, more so than other action RPGs, but if players keep at it, they’ll be rewarded handsomely with a unique experience.
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