Team Ninja delivered an unexpected surprise during the latest PlayStation State of Play event by officially announcing Nioh 3, the highly anticipated third installment in their acclaimed Soulslike action RPG series. The announcement came with an immediate treat for eager fans: a free alpha demo became available on PlayStation 5 the same day, allowing players to experience the brutal yokai-infested battlefields of feudal Japan once again. This marks the return of the beloved franchise after a five-year wait since Nioh 2’s release, promising to deliver the challenging combat and rich Japanese mythology that made the series a standout in the crowded Soulslike genre.
The alpha demo, available exclusively on PS5 until June 18, showcases significant improvements and new features that Team Ninja has been developing. Players can now choose between two distinct fighting styles: traditional Samurai combat and the newly introduced Ninja approach, each offering unique gameplay mechanics and strategic options. The demo also includes the popular character creation system from previous entries, though Team Ninja notes this feature is still being refined for the final release scheduled for early 2026.
Enhanced Open World Design Promises Bigger Adventures
Team Ninja has confirmed that Nioh 3 will feature their most ambitious open world design yet, expanding beyond the more linear structure of previous entries. The developers emphasize that player feedback has been instrumental in shaping this new direction, with the studio taking community suggestions seriously throughout the development process. This expanded scope aims to provide greater exploration opportunities while maintaining the tight, skill-based combat encounters that define the Nioh experience.
The full game is set to launch on both PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam in early 2026, giving the development team ample time to incorporate feedback from the current alpha demo. Soulslike enthusiasts who have been craving new challenges can dive into the demo immediately, experiencing firsthand how Team Ninja plans to evolve their formula while staying true to the punishing difficulty and rewarding progression systems that have made Nioh a favorite among hardcore action RPG fans.
