Team NINJA is finally moving the timeline forward. Nioh 3 is leaving the Sengoku period behind to tackle the chaotic Bakumatsu era of 1864 Kyoto. This isn't just a backdrop change; it introduces modern weaponry like Gatling guns into the yokai-slaying formula, fundamentally shifting how players will likely approach combat encounters.
Gunpowder Meets Katana in Kyoto
The shift to the Bakumatsu era marks a significant departure for the series. We are looking at a Japan on the brink of modernization, which means the traditional armory is getting an upgrade. The announcement confirms that players will face off against the Shinsengumi, but they aren't just wielding swords. Enemy factions will utilize firearms and Gatling guns, introducing a heavy ranged suppression element that will force players to adapt their spacing and defensive tactics.
The setting itself focuses on a distorted version of Kyoto. The narrative revolves around the "Crucible," a phenomenon twisting familiar landmarks. Locations like Kiyomizu Temple, Honnoji Temple, and Mibu Temple—the historical headquarters of the Shinsengumi—are confirmed battlegrounds. Team NINJA has noted that the environment within the field may undergo significant changes as the story progresses, suggesting a more dynamic world state than previous entries.
Who are the new historical figures in Nioh 3?
As with previous titles, Nioh 3 grounds its dark fantasy in real history. The Bakumatsu reveal introduces three major players that define the conflict between the Shogunate and the Imperial loyalists:
- Takasugi Shinsaku: A prominent figure of the Choshu domain and a key revolutionary.
- Okita Soji: The captain of the first unit of the Shinsengumi, known historically as a prodigy swordsman.
- Tokugawa Yoshinobu: The last Shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate.
The introduction of these figures confirms the narrative will center heavily on the ideological clash of the era, with yokai likely manifesting from the bloodshed of this civil war. With a release scheduled for February 6, 2026, on PC and PS5, we have a few months to speculate on how these modern weapons will balance against traditional Onmyo magic and Ninjutsu.