The demo version of Nioh 3 turned out to be generous with content. A full playthrough with exploration of locations and secret-hunting can easily take four to five hours. In that time, the game manages not only to introduce its core systems, but also to provide a clear idea of what the full release will be like.
When the editor-in-chief assigned me to check out the Nioh 3 demo, I thought it would be a routine task: complete all available locations, study the abilities, break down the project’s strengths and weaknesses, and then prepare a preview with pros, cons, and a recommendation — whether it is worth spending time on and what to expect from the full version. Who could have thought that such a tiny fragment of the game would be enough to make me willingly shell out not just for the full game, but for the Deluxe edition right away.
It is worth noting right away that the third installment has become extremely friendly to newcomers — and this is evident not only in the abundance of hints that describe every mechanic, menu tab, and system in detail, but also in its relatively low barrier to entry. You absolutely do not need to spend time playing through the original Nioh and the second game in order to understand what is happening in the third.
Everything is simple: our valiant hero (or heroine — depending on your preference) is preparing to become the new shogun. However, a sudden invasion of yokai legions stands in the way of taking this important post, as they begin wreaking havoc — slaughtering peasants left and right, setting rice fields on fire, smashing statues, and spoiling the landmarks of feudal Japan by their mere presence. What can you do — you have to take up arms and kick the monsters back to wherever they crawled out from. But to do that, you will first have to return to the past.
As mentioned above, the Nioh 3 demo really does have more than enough content. Exploring all available locations and searching for the secrets included can take no less than four to five hours, if not more. Fears that moving away from linearity would make Nioh boring turned out to be unfounded: the game world is interesting to explore, and it has plenty to offer. Moreover, Nioh generously rewards curiosity with upgrades and enhancements for your character that make battles with bosses and regular enemies noticeably more engaging.
And since we are talking about bosses: there are only nine of them in the demo, and fights with each one can seriously wear down your nerves, although they cannot be called unfair. They do not overwhelm you with endless pressure (with the exception of one four-armed monstrosity) and leave enough time for counterattacks — it never feels like you are playing the role of a punching bag, as is often the case in FromSoftware games. But the bosses will not let you relax completely either.
Perhaps the main innovation is the system that allows you to switch between the techniques of a cunning ninja and a noble samurai. In essence, you have two characters in one, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. The samurai is a true tank: he takes hits well, breaks enemy stances, and suits players who prefer an aggressive combat style. The ninja, meanwhile, relies on tricky techniques, deftly dodges attacks, and throws both shurikens and spells with equal precision. You can switch styles right in the middle of a fight, and if you do it at the right moment, you can completely throw your opponent off balance, leaving them vulnerable to a devastating move.
Nioh 3 encourages experimentation and gives you complete freedom. It is nearly impossible to \"break\" a build in the game, and various buffs let you focus on one combat style while only occasionally switching to the second.
Analysis
The Nioh series has always been distinctive and has stood out noticeably against the backdrop of the many clones of FromSoftware projects, but with Nioh 3, Team Ninja seems to have gone a step further and created something truly unique. The game has every chance of becoming one of the best soulslikes of its time. At the same time, the demo honestly fulfills its purpose — it provides enough context, mechanics, and content for everyone to decide for themselves whether they need the full version, without risking either time or money.
