Players take on the role of Tokugawa Takechiyo, a young man on his way to becoming the next shogun during Japan’s Edo period. The story in Nioh 3 is the biggest the series has told so far, taking players across different eras and locations in Japan. That includes Edo Castle, the Totomi region during the Warring States period, Kyoto during the Heian period, and — for the first time in the franchise — the Bakumatsu period. Each era is laid out as an open field that players can freely explore.

Nioh 3 introduces two combat styles that players can switch between on the fly. The Samurai Style stays true to the series’ roots with grounded, deliberate combat. It also brings in a new Arts Proficiency system for improving Martial Arts moves, along with a Deflect mechanic that lets players block attacks at just the right moment to gain the upper hand.

The Ninja Style takes things in a different direction, focusing on speed and mobility. Players can dodge quickly, attack from the air, and use Ninjutsu techniques to strike from a safe distance. This style also comes with two special techniques: Mist, which creates an afterimage after an attack to throw enemies off, and Evade, which lets players narrowly slip past incoming strikes to get behind enemies and deal serious damage.