Nioh 3 Demo Drops at PS State of Play

Nioh 3 made a surprise announcement during PlayStation's June 2025 State of Play event! Discover everything about the game's upcoming release and its exclusive demo period.

Nioh 3 Launches Early 2026

Play the Limited-Time Demo Now!

Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja have unveiled Nioh 3, the next chapter in their beloved dark fantasy action RPG franchise. The reveal trailer not only teased stunning gameplay but also confirmed an early 2026 launch. Even better, PlayStation 5 players gained immediate access to a surprise demo right after the presentation.

The demo runs from June 4 through June 18. Team Ninja's PlayStation Blog statement explains: "This preview lets you experience years of our development work—and we value your feedback to help refine what could become the ultimate Nioh experience!" Players can share their thoughts via an official website survey after completing the demo.

Since 2017's breakout hit and its acclaimed 2020 sequel, fans have eagerly awaited this continuation. Team Ninja Lead Fumihiko Yasuda welcomes both series veterans and newcomers to embrace the franchise's signature challenge: "The thrill of victory against overwhelming odds."

Nioh 3 Revealed

Per Team Ninja, Nioh 3 transports players to Japan's turbulent Sengoku era, casting them as legendary shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu—though the trailer identifies him by his childhood name, Takechiyo.

As the architect of Japan's 250-year ruling dynasty, this strategic mastermind now faces supernatural threats amid civil warfare. While plot specifics remain scarce, Yasuda teased deeper revelations about Takechiyo's demon-slaying mission: "That story will unfold later."

Breaking from previous games' structured zones, Nioh 3 introduces an open world filled with unpredictable yokai confrontations, mystery-shrouded settlements, and the ominous "Crucible" challenge—details of which remain undisclosed.

Despite controlling a historical icon, players can still customize their protagonist using the praised character creator from earlier titles.

The combat system now offers dynamic style-switching between Samurai and Ninja approaches. The former delivers series-staple melee combat with new techniques like "Arts Proficiency" for enhanced attacks and "Deflect" counters.

Ninja mode emphasizes aerial agility, granting access to evasive maneuvers and clone-generating "Mist" attacks that enable devastating flank strikes.

With more reveals inevitable before launch, today's demo offers the perfect preview. For ongoing Nioh 3 coverage, stay tuned to our updates below!