Critically-Acclaimed New PS5 Console Exclusive Is Out Now

Nioh 3 is now out on the PlayStation 5 and PC, having debuted to an overwhelmingly positive buzz from critics. Its early reviews position the PS5 console exclusive as a serious contender for the best soulslike game of 2026.

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

7 Best Tips & Tricks in Nioh 3

Here are a few 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

Early 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 extra context, it’s currently in the top 7% of the highest-rated titles in the OpenCritic database, which goes back to 2016. The most consistent praise among the launch-day Nioh 3 reviews is directed at the game’s combat depth and build flexibility, both of which are described as marking new heights for the soulslike series. While the old weapon stances are still included as skills that need to be unlocked, the core of the combat experience now revolves around instant switching between the highly customizable Samurai and Ninja playstyles.

Critics also point to Nioh 3‘s boss roster as notably diverse and rewarding to master. Reviews further commend the shift toward a more open structure, drawing comparisons to Team Ninja’s Rise of the Ronin, with a large world divided into smaller, freely explorable regions. Multiple reviewers said the move away from a mission-based format complements Nioh’s progression loop of acquiring gear, confronting powerful enemies, and upgrading equipment.

What Reviewers Didn’t Like About Nioh 3

Who’s That Character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Who’s That Character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

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

Some reviewers have been less enthusiastic about the game’s open-world activities, describing them as overwhelming and drawing comparisons to similar criticism directed at Rise of the Ronin. Others highlight familiar series issues, noting that loot and menu management can become cumbersome. Technical impressions are mixed, with critics suggesting the PC version is less polished than its PS5 counterpart. Despite these concerns, OpenCritic data places Nioh 3 among the five highest-rated PS5 releases of 2026 so far and the strongest-reviewed soulslike to arrive on Sony’s console this year.

Top 10 Highest-Rated PS5 Games of 2026 So Far, According to OpenCritic

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

Promising early reviews aside, Team Ninja is not done with Nioh 3 just yet. The Japanese developer has already committed to a substantial post-launch content roadmap that includes two paid DLC packs. The first of those is planned to debut in September 2026, while the second is targeting a February 2027 launch. Both are set to introduce new story content and weapons, among other novelties. The add-ons aren’t sold separately at the moment, but can only be pre-purchased via the $39.99 Season Pass.

Publisher Koei Tecmo has recently disclosed that Nioh 3‘s PS5 console exclusivity was only negotiated for a six-month period. In other words, the critically acclaimed soulslike could make the jump to the Xbox Series X/S before the end of the year.