Nioh 3 drops tonight on PS5 and Steam, early reviews call it a masterpiece

Nioh 3 drops on PS5 and Steam tonight, and early reviews are declaring it a masterpiece. Team Ninja’s latest samurai action RPG has scored 9/10 from IGN, GameSpot, and Fextralife, with critics calling it the best soulslike ever created. This is the moment Elden Ring fans will lose sleep tonight.

Combat That Dominates Every Soulslike Rival

IGN’s Mitchell Saltzman declared that Nioh 3 has the best combat of any soulslike, past or present. The dual-style system lets players switch between Samurai and Ninja mid-combat, unlocking entirely new attack paths. Ninjutsu abilities recharge as you land hits, rewarding aggressive play instead of punishing it.

Critics highlight how Team Ninja addressed every complaint from Nioh 2. The open-field design mirrors Elden Ring’s freedom, while the refined loot mechanics give players constant reasons to experiment. Insider Gaming awarded a rare 10/10, stating the game excels in all aspects of design.

An Elden Ring Upgrade Nobody Expected

The industry consensus is clear: Nioh 3 takes the best elements from Elden Ring and improves upon them. Tom’s Guide praised the massive open-world regions packed with challenging enemy encounters. Unlike its predecessors, The Sixth Axis noted that Nioh 3 is substantially better than even Nioh 2, marking a generational leap.

PC Gamer raved that Nioh 3 makes you feel like a combat god, not just a desperate survivor. The 180 GB install size reflects the scope of what’s here: multiple regions, hundreds of weapons, and build diversity that rivals any action RPG ever released.

What Reviewers Got to Play

“Nioh 3 is an unbelievable game from start to finish and excels in all aspects of game development.”

— Andrew Highton, Insider Gaming (10/10)

System Requirements Won’t Disappoint PC Gamers

Steam requirements are reasonable for a game of this visual caliber. Minimum specs require Windows 11 64-bit, 16 GB RAM, and an RTX 2060. Storage needs 125 GB, the only real commitment. Recommended specs target 1080p at 60 FPS with upscaling technology enabled.

Early players report stable performance on both PS5 and PC. Frame generation technology can push framerates beyond 60 fps on compatible hardware. No frame rate caps lock you in, giving PC players ultimate freedom with graphics settings.

Will You Be One of the Millions Downloading Tonight?

Anticipation for Nioh 3 is at fever pitch across gaming communities. Reddit, Discord, and YouTube are already flooded with countdown posts. The demo completion bonus drove hundreds of thousands to pre-test the game, creating a massive launch day audience.

Game Pass might eventually add Nioh 3, but tonight it’s exclusive to PS5 and Steam. Early adopters will dominate online multiplayer for weeks. The question isn’t whether Nioh 3 will succeed, but whether it will dethrone Elden Ring as the reigning king of action RPGs.

Sources

• IGN – Nioh 3 awarded 9/10 with praise for best-in-class combat system
• Insider Gaming – Rare 10/10 score highlighting excellence across all development aspects
• GameSpot – Team Ninja at its very best, learning from all previous entries

Annabelle Ink

Annabelle Ink is a gaming journalist and lifelong gamer who lives and breathes video game culture. From console releases to esports tournaments, this dedicated journalist brings insider knowledge and genuine enthusiasm to every review and feature. Her expertise spans multiple gaming platforms, helping readers discover their next favorite game while staying connected to the pulse of the gaming industry.