Nioh 3 Can Fill a Void Left By Elden Ring Nightreign, The Duskbloods

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During Sony’s recent State of Play presentation, a surprising announcement was made: the unveiling of Project Nioh 3. Known for their work on the Nioh series, Team Ninja had not released a new game in this franchise for over five years. With no hints leading up to this event suggesting a return, many believed that Team Ninja would be too busy with other projects like Rise of the Ronin and Ninja Gaiden 4 to develop another installment in the Nioh series. However, it appears that they are not only working on Project Nioh 3, but also planning to launch it next year.

In contrast to its earlier versions, Nioh 3 stands out with a few distinct changes. Instead of being published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, this time it’s Koei Tecmo handling the publication. Notably, unlike the previous games which were exclusive to PlayStation consoles, Nioh 3 will also be available on PC at launch, making it accessible on more platforms. As for gameplay, Nioh 3 is adopting a more open-ended approach in its level design. Although it won’t offer the expansive open-world found in games like Elden Ring, players will be able to freely explore large areas within the game.

Nioh 3 Will Be Perfect for FromSoftware Fans Looking for Single-Player Soulslikes

The First Two Nioh Games are On Par With Some of FromSoftware’s Best Soulslikes

Given the present condition of the Soulslike genre, it seems that the arrival of Nioh 3 is perfectly timed. The upcoming game offers a high-quality, single-player Soulslike experience that is scarcely found among other games. Despite the abundance of Soulslikes in the market, only a handful can compete with FromSoftware’s games when it comes to quality. Among the numerous imitators of FromSoftware, the first two Nioh games are among the few that have garnered near-unanimous praise from fans.

FromSoftware Likely Won’t Release a Single-Player Game Anytime Soon

As a dedicated gamer, you’d likely agree that FromSoftware has been pioneering the Soulslike genre for quite some time now. Games like Dark Souls, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Bloodborne are often hailed as gaming greats. Yet, even though they continue to dabble in this genre, their recent projects have taken a slightly different turn. For instance, Elden Ring Nightreign, their latest release, isn’t your typical Soulslike; it’s a multiplayer action game that combines PvP and PvE elements with battle royale twists. On the other hand, The Duskbloods, their upcoming title, is an exclusive PvP action RPG for the yet-to-be-released Nintendo Switch 2.

While The Duskbloods and Elden Ring Nightreign retain some Soulslike features, they don’t fully embody the single-player RPGs that fans typically associate with FromSoftware. In a recent interview with Nintendo, the studio president, Hidetaka Miyazaki, mentioned that FromSoftware is leaning more towards multiplayer in their future projects. However, they still plan to create single-player games, albeit not as frequently as before. This means fans might have to wait until at least 2028 or possibly even 2029 for another new game from the studio, given that The Duskbloods is set for release in 2026.

Nioh 3 Could Be the Most Successful Nioh Game Yet

Given that FromSoftware is engaged with other projects temporarily, Team Ninja has a chance to fill the gap in the single-player Soulslike market with Nioh 3. If the upcoming Nioh game lives up to its predecessors’ quality, it could captivate a substantial number of FromSoftware fans, particularly those uninterested in the company’s multiplayer endeavors. Furthermore, the simultaneous PC release of Nioh 3 might make it the most successful installment in the Nioh series to date.

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2025-06-07 20:05