At Tokyo Game Show 2025, Team Ninja brought back one of its most beloved series with the reveal of Nioh 3. It’s been more than five years since the release of Nioh 2, and fans have been eager to see how the series evolves after such a long wait. We sat down with Fumihiko Yasuda, President of Team Ninja and General Producer of Nioh 3, who shared insights into the challenges of development, the design philosophy behind the game, and what fans can expect when the title launches in February 2026.

A Longer Road to Development

It may feel like Nioh 2 wasn’t that long ago, but the gap between it and the new installment is the biggest the series has seen so far. Yasuda explained why, “Yes, as you mentioned, the introduction of open-field maps required us to spend much more time polishing the systems, so naturally the overall development took longer. In addition, after the release of Nioh 2, our team also worked on Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty and Rise of the Ronin, so the development cycle for Nioh 3 was inevitably extended.”

Finding the Right Balance in the Open Field

The biggest change this time is the introduction of an open-field structure. While the team wanted to expand exploration, they had to ensure it still felt like a Nioh game. As Yasuda described, “During development, we went through many rounds of trial and error. At one point, the overall map scale became too large, which resulted in a lack of content density and made the areas feel rather empty. Later, we realized that since Nioh is fundamentally a combat-focused game, we needed to increase the number of enemies as well as the frequency of encounters. While maintaining this level of combat density, we also introduced multiple route options within the open-field design, so that players could experience diverse approaches to progression and achieve a better overall balance.”

Learning from the Player Feedback

Earlier this year, players got their first hands-on experience with the game through the Alpha Demo in June. According to Yasuda, the feedback proved invaluable. “Yes, during the Alpha Demo in June, we received a great deal of feedback from players. The newly introduced open-map design, as well as the ability to switch between the Samurai and Ninja combat styles, were generally well received. On the other hand, some feedback was directed toward certain action systems that had been available in previous titles but did not feel as satisfying this time around.”

He pointed out one particular example: “In earlier games players could freely switch between two different weapons during combat, but in this title, due to the distinction between Samurai and Ninja styles, weapon switching was not originally possible. We received many comments about this, so we decided to reintroduce the system. The weapon-switching feature I just mentioned has already been implemented in the TGS demo, and we will continue optimizing and refining the game moving forward.”

Samurai vs. Ninja

Nioh 3 introduces two distinct combat styles — Samurai and Ninja. Yasuda confirmed that these will be the only two styles available, but he explained the reasoning behind the choice. “Actually, we currently don’t have any plans to add more combat styles for players to experience. The Samurai combat that has always been at the core of the series, together with the newly introduced Ninja style, already form the central design of this game.”

He further elaborated: “The Samurai’s way of fighting can be seen as the legitimate continuation and evolution of the series’ tradition; while the addition of the Ninja represents a faster and more agile combat style that offers greater freedom. With the introduction of the open field this time, we wanted players to be able to engage in more three-dimensional exploration and combat, and in this sense, the Ninja fits perfectly.”

Another factor, Yasuda noted, was cultural resonance: “The Ninja has always been a cultural symbol of Japan. In Western regions, Ninjas are also extremely well-known. So we wanted to make it easier for overseas players to understand the protagonist’s concept — that he embodies both the qualities of a Samurai and a Ninja.”

Challenge and Accessibility

One hallmark of Nioh has always been its difficulty. While some wondered if Nioh 3 might be more accessible after such a long break, Yasuda assured fans that the challenge remains intact. “For most players, the biggest feature this time will probably be the open field design. Of course, when it comes to difficulty, Nioh 3 still won’t be an easy game. However, since players are now free to explore and strengthen their characters as they wish, the overall freedom in gameplay has definitely increased. That said, in terms of challenge, it won’t feel particularly easier compared to past entries in the series.”

As for controls, the addition of two combat styles complicates things further. “From the demo feedback earlier this year, we heard many voices — even veteran players who had spent over a thousand hours on the previous two titles expressed that they wanted the old control scheme to be preserved in the new game. With that in mind, we’ve been considering how to retain the essence of past systems while also introducing new mechanics. So in terms of controls, it won’t necessarily get easier, but we hope players will gradually get used to it, learn step by step, and eventually discover their own rhythm in combat.”

What Nioh 3 Means for Players

Looking ahead to release, Yasuda emphasized what the team values most: the sense of triumph in overcoming challenges. “One thing we’ve always placed great importance on in the Nioh series is that no matter what methods the player uses, as long as they can defeat their enemies, that’s perfectly valid. What truly matters is the sense of joy and accomplishment that comes from overcoming tough bosses or clearing difficult areas, and that’s a core element we value deeply.”

He hopes that Nioh 3 will amplify that feeling. “We hope — and we believe — that in Nioh 3, this feeling will be even stronger and more impactful than in the first two games, especially with the addition of a highly free open field and the brand-new Ninja combat style.”

Finally, Yasuda left a message for fans: “If I were to leave players with one message, it’s that while it’s been five to six years since Nioh 2, this new entry isn’t just a continuation of the series — we hope it can serve as an important foundation for its future. We’ll continue to share more updates as we get closer to launch, so please look forward to it, and to the official release on February 6.”