Nioh 3 Demo Released for PS5 and PC, Hits 39,000 Peak Players

Team Ninja has released a free demo for its highly anticipated action RPG Nioh 3, allowing players on PlayStation 5 and PC to experience the game's opening content ahead of its full launch on February 6, 2026. The demo, available now through the PlayStation Store and Steam, has already drawn significant interest, peaking at over 39,000 concurrent players on Steam alone, nearing the all-time high for the series' previous entry, Nioh 2.

The demo features the game's initial section, set in an alternate Warring States period Japan overrun by yokai spirits and bandits. Players begin by customizing the protagonist, Tokugawa Takechiyo, a historical figure depicted as the grandchild of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. The character creator offers detailed options for both ninja and samurai appearances, reflecting the game's new dual combat styles. Once in the game world, players explore a vast open field, a departure from the linear levels of earlier titles, encountering enemy camps, collectible weapons, and monstrous yokai in any order they choose. The experience culminates in a boss fight at Hamamatsu Castle Town against a formidable yokai.

A key innovation in Nioh 3 is the seamless switching...