Nioh 3 Demo Drops at PS Event June 2025

Nioh 3 made a surprise appearance during PlayStation's June 2025 State of Play! Discover everything about this unexpected release and its temporary demo.

Nioh 3 Arrives in Early 2026

Play the Exclusive Demo Now

Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja have officially unveiled Nioh 3, the next chapter in their beloved dark fantasy action-RPG franchise. The announcement trailer not only teased the game's direction but also confirmed an early 2026 launch. Best of all, a PlayStation 5-exclusive demo dropped immediately after the showcase—available for a limited time.

The demo runs from June 4 through June 18. As stated in Team Ninja's PlayStation Blog post: "This is your opportunity to experience years of development firsthand. Your feedback will help us refine Nioh 3 into the ultimate series installment!" Players can share their thoughts via an official survey after completing the demo.

Fans have eagerly awaited the series' return since 2017's groundbreaking Nioh and its acclaimed 2020 sequel. Team Ninja aims to redefine the action-RPG genre once again. Fumihiko Yasuda, Team Ninja's head and general producer, expressed excitement about welcoming veterans and newcomers alike to "experience victory through perseverance."

Nioh 3: What We Know

Set during Japan's turbulent Sengoku era, Nioh 3 casts players as Tokugawa Ieyasu—known early in life as Takechiyo. This visionary leader would later establish the Tokugawa shogunate, ruling Japan for over 200 years.

While plot details remain scarce, expect to navigate Takechiyo's ascent amid warring factions and supernatural threats. "Why does he battle yokai? That's a story for another time," Yasuda teased.

Breaking from series tradition, Nioh 3 introduces open landscapes dotted with deadly yokai encounters, mystery-shrouded villages, and the ominous "Crucible"—an unknown challenge awaiting players.

Despite playing a historical figure, the demo includes the fan-favorite character creator from previous games, letting players craft unique warriors.

The combat system now features seamless switching between Samurai and Ninja styles. The familiar Samurai approach emphasizes blade mastery with new techniques like "Arts Proficiency" and tactical "Deflect" counters.

Ninja combat prioritizes agility, introducing aerial maneuvers and deceptive abilities. Skills like "Mist" (leaving attack decoys) and "Evade" (precision dodging) let players outwit enemies with hit-and-run tactics.

While more details will surface before launch, today's demo offers the first taste of Nioh 3's evolution. Stay tuned for updates—and don't miss our coverage below!