Nioh 3’s Combat is Amazing, Here’s Why

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Truly difficult combat in games is most enjoyable when it feels balanced and achievable. Great “Souls-like” games recognize this, and the feeling of overcoming a tough challenge is one of the best parts of the genre. Unfortunately, many players don’t get to experience this satisfaction because the difficulty prevents them from progressing. When I wasn’t playing games made by FromSoftware, the Nioh series was my favorite alternative for that thrilling experience.

I’ve spent countless hours battling fierce demons in Nioh 2 with my Tonfa and Switchglaives, and I was excited to see what Nioh 3 offered. It’s not just the new ways to defeat enemies; the game keeps you on edge because a single mistake can ruin an otherwise perfect run. Every fight feels high-stakes.

Team Ninja really pulled out all the stops with Nioh 3, taking everything they’ve learned from past games and making something special. Honestly, it’s the kind of game I could easily lose an entire weekend to, or just pick up for a quick session when I have some free time. But what’s really got me hooked, even when I’m not playing? Let me tell you…

Mechanically Marvelous

First, let’s acknowledge what makes Nioh 3‘s combat so great. The new features it introduces build upon what was already excellent, creating a fantastic mix of fresh ideas and skillful implementation.

The core of the Nioh combat system revolves around skillful timing and resource management. You need to carefully balance attacking with using Ki Pulses to maintain your stamina, avoiding situations where you can’t move or attack. The goal is to slowly break down your opponents and deliver a powerful finishing blow. You’ll also switch between different stances – High, Mid, and Low – to effectively target your enemy’s health, stamina, or both.

This time, the game feels different. You quickly gain the ability to deflect attacks – it’s like a parry that works on almost everything except your enemy’s special red “Burst Attacks.” This feature alone is a big reason why I’m so hooked on Nioh 3. I’ve even started deliberately provoking enemies just to study their attacks and perfect my deflections – it’s incredibly rewarding, and I’ve almost stopped initiating attacks myself!

Beyond that, the parry ability works with any weapon, and it’s completely altered how I play this game. I can now confidently face enemies directly, using my dual blades to quickly deplete their health and stamina, while successfully parrying restores my own stamina. It feels like a blend of the parry systems from Wuchang and Team Ninja’s Wo Long, which I really appreciate. This parry mechanic is a major improvement, but it’s not the only new feature – the Ninja style is also a significant addition.

Being able to quickly switch to a faster, more flexible character during fights has saved me many times. I’ve been able to create the breathing room needed to use a healing elixir when I was almost defeated. Unlike previous games in the series where I’d be frantically dodging attacks to heal, Nioh 3 approaches this in a slightly different way.

With just a button press, I can quickly escape danger, and unlocking the dodge ability from the Ninja skill tree made that even easier. Now, moving in and out of combat feels incredibly smooth and satisfying. But the Ninja style isn’t only about creating distance—it’s about mastering the battlefield and controlling where the action happens.

As a Ninja, you get extra damage when you attack enemies from behind in the game – something many players know. However, the extent of that damage boost isn’t explained. It’s significant, and combined with the Ninja’s longer dodge ability, it becomes clear why this style isn’t just a fun addition, but essential for effectively fighting big enemies that are hard to hit.

Nioh has always rewarded players who use every available tactic to overcome tough enemies, and Nioh 3 continues that tradition. Combat focuses on dodging attacks, quickly changing your fighting style to counter opponents, and striking when you have an opening before backing off to prepare for the next attack.

The combat is incredibly engaging, keeping you fully immersed. Combining magic with samurai swordplay creates a powerful character build that feels almost unbeatable. However, you’ll still find yourself defeated surprisingly often – I died nearly as much as I defeated enemies and spirits!

You might be wondering why this is the case. It’s because a good combat system isn’t just about your character – it’s also about the enemies you fight. Let’s explore how those opponents are designed to push you to think on your feet and use smart strategies during battles.

Worthy Opponents

When I started playing the open world in Nioh 3, I immediately recognized a lot of enemies from Nioh 2. I remember finding the Gaki creatures strangely cute when I first saw them in the previous game, and it made me smile to see one eating the remains of a soldier in Nioh 3.

These enemies are similar to ones you’ve faced before, but the way to defeat them has changed. I found it easy to block their attacks – my training took over! Many of the same enemies return in this game, but they’ve been tweaked slightly, making the fights more challenging and keeping you alert.

Those strange Medusa-snake creatures are returning, but their tail attacks now have a noticeable delay. You’ll need to carefully time your blocks or dodges to avoid them. Meanwhile, the Jailer Oni still attack with slams and stabs, but they’re much easier to handle this time around.

I really enjoy fighting weaker enemies because there are so many ways to approach each fight. I can switch to the Ninja style to sneak behind an enemy while they’re attacking, hitting their back during their recovery. Alternatively, I can play as a Samurai and perfectly time a parry, dealing a lot of damage to their energy and regaining some of my own.

I have a lot of options in a fight. I could stay at a distance, using ninja techniques to send spells, bombs, and throwing stars at my enemies, then move in for a powerful counterattack. Or I could just launch a direct martial arts assault. It’s tough to commit to one strategy when there are so many exciting ways to defeat opponents.

I really appreciate the new enemy types in Nioh 3 because they make the combat so engaging. These enemies aren’t just about brute force; they’re designed to trick you into making errors. You have to study their attacks to figure out how to fight them. A lot of their moves demand you switch up your fighting style – for example, there’s a creature that lets out a screech to deplete your energy, and the only way to stop it is to quickly switch to Ninja style and throw a shuriken.

Fighting groups of enemies in Nioh 3 is a real challenge, and the Lesser Crucibles perfectly demonstrate how difficult the game can be, even with all the tools it gives you to fight back. Sometimes, the environment itself can be more dangerous than the monsters you’re facing.

I had a surprisingly tough fight with a bunch of weak enemies called Gaki, and it quickly became a struggle to stay alive. I kept getting pushed into a corner filled with lava, and things got even worse when the Gaki Chief showed up – a huge, powerful version of the regular Gaki. His attacks covered a large area, so I had to constantly dodge to avoid getting hit.

Nioh 3 features a wide variety of enemies, both familiar and new, all intended to keep you on your toes. This forces you to think strategically and use all your skills during combat. The real strength of the game’s fighting system is the constant effort to control each battle and dictate its pace – and it’s incredibly satisfying when your strategy leads to a hard-earned win.

The combat in Nioh 3 is more than just well-executed; it’s captivating. Each fight feels like a dangerous, personal dance, with your actions creating a unique rhythm. You’re in charge of that rhythm, constantly battling to maintain control against your enemies.

What I love most about the game’s combat is how much control it gives you. It provides all the tools you need to become a legendary warrior – success just depends on how skillfully you use them. That’s what makes the combat system so strong, and I know I’ll be enjoying it for a long time to come.

Please be aware that the opinions shared in this article are the author’s own and don’t necessarily reflect the views of GamingBolt.

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2026-02-09 21:50