Nioh 3 — Global Unlock Times, Editions, Reviews, Early Impressions
- Sagar Mankar
- 5 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Nioh 3 is set to launch worldwide on February 6, 2026, marking the return of Team Ninja’s acclaimed dark Sengoku action-RPG series after six years.
The game arrives with high expectations, offering brutal combat, expansive regions to explore, and a fresh storyline that stands on its own while still tying into the lore of previous entries.
Release Timings
The global rollout is staggered depending on platform and region.
PS5 Release Times
Los Angeles (PST): Feb 5 – 9:00 PM
Chicago (CST): Feb 5 – 11:00 PM
New York (EST): Feb 6 – 12:00 AM
Mexico City (CST): Feb 6 – 12:00 AM
Bogotá (COT): Feb 6 – 12:00 AM
Brasília (BRT): Feb 6 – 12:00 AM
London (GMT): Feb 6 – 12:00 AM
Paris (CET): Feb 6 – 12:00 AM
Warsaw (CET): Feb 6 – 12:00 AM
Dubai (GST): Feb 6 – 12:00 AM
Beijing (CST): Feb 6 – 12:00 AM
Seoul (KST): Feb 6 – 12:00 AM
Tokyo (JST): Feb 6 – 12:00 AM
Taipei (CST): Feb 6 – 12:00 AM
Singapore (SGT): Feb 6 – 12:00 AM
Sydney (AEDT): Feb 6 – 12:00 AM
Wellington (NZDT): Feb 6 – 12:00 AM
PC Release Times
Los Angeles (PST): Feb 5 – 9:00 PM
Chicago (CST): Feb 5 – 11:00 PM
New York (EST): Feb 6 – 12:00 AM
Mexico City (CST): Feb 5 – 11:00 PM
Bogotá (COT): Feb 6 – 12:00 AM
Brasília (BRT): Feb 6 – 2:00 AM
London (GMT): Feb 6 – 5:00 AM
Paris (CET): Feb 6 – 6:00 AM
Warsaw (CET): Feb 6 – 6:00 AM
Cairo (EET): Feb 6 – 7:00 AM
Riyadh (AST): Feb 6 – 8:00 AM
Dubai (GST): Feb 6 – 9:00 AM
Beijing (CST): Feb 6 – 1:00 PM
Taipei (CST): Feb 6 – 1:00 PM
Singapore (SGT): Feb 6 – 1:00 PM
Seoul (KST): Feb 6 – 2:00 PM
Tokyo (JST): Feb 6 – 2:00 PM
Sydney (AEDT): Feb 6 – 4:00 PM
Wellington (NZDT): Feb 6 – 6:00 PM
Pre-loading is available for PS5 players, with the game requiring 75GB of space. PC players, however, will need to wait until unlock time to begin downloading.
Editions and Bonuses
Nioh 3 arrives with multiple editions catering to different types of players:
Standard Edition ($69.99 / £64.99): Base game plus Hellfire Equipment Set and Scampuss Furball Netsuke Charm as pre-order bonuses.
Digital Deluxe Edition ($109.99 / £94.99): Includes Season Pass, Infernal Weapons Set, and exclusive charms.
SteelBook Edition ($69.99): Physical copy with SteelBook case and bonus DLC charms.
Treasure Box (PS5 Exclusive, $126.99): Includes disc copy, artbook, soundtrack CD, desk pad, and collectible keychain.
Early purchase bonuses are available until February 19, 2026, including the Hellfrost Equipment Set and armor sets inspired by past heroes such as William from Nioh and Hidechiyo from Nioh 2.
Story and Gameplay
Players take on the role of Tokugawa Takechiyo, grandchild of Tokugawa Ieyasu, as they confront a supernatural threat emerging from the Crucible Realm. The narrative spans multiple eras, including Sengoku, Heian, and Bakumatsu, offering time-transcending journeys filled with yokai battles and corrupted lands to purify.
Combat remains the heart of the experience. Core mechanics like stance-switching, Ki pulse timing, guardian spirits, and yokai abilities return, now enhanced by a dual-style system. This allows seamless switching between Samurai and Ninja approaches mid-fight, adding flexibility and depth.
The game also shifts away from strict linearity, introducing expansive hub regions. While not fully open-world, these interconnected areas feature roaming bosses, shrines, collectibles, and side quests. Co-op multiplayer supports up to three players, enabling either boss assistance or full expedition runs.
According to reports, a casual playthrough with side content takes around 30–40 hours, while completionist runs can stretch to 60–80 hours.
Reception
Early reviews have been strong, with OpenCritic and Metacritic listing an 86 metascore for the PS5 version. Critics widely agree that combat is the standout feature. IGN awarded the game 9/10, stating, “Nioh 3 delivers best-in-class combat that revitalizes the established formula with a fantastic split between Samurai and Ninja styles.” PC Gamer rated it 90/100, calling it “one of the best soulslikes yet.”
Game Rant gave it 9/10, praising the Style Shift system and open-field design. Eurogamer scored it 4/5, noting that innovation remains key to Team Ninja’s success. TheGamer also rated it 9/10, describing it as “far and away the best game in the series to date.” GamesRadar+ echoed similar praise, highlighting its accessibility despite brutal difficulty.
Not all reviews were glowing. VG247 rated it 8/10, pointing out filler side quests and repetitive exploration. VideoGamer was harsher with a 6/10, criticizing the world design as bland. Performance issues were also noted, with late-game frame drops and texture pop-ins on both PS5 and PC.