Nioh 3's New Ninja Style: Blowing Smoke, Or A Shinobi Masterstroke?
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
Nioh 3 is shaking up its renowned combat by introducing a dual Samurai and Ninja Style system, allowing players to swap builds and combat mechanics on the fly. While Samurai Style retains classic Ki Pulse, Ninja Style replaces it with the evasive 'Mist' ability, a bold move aimed at creating distinct playstyles and pushing the series forward.
Right, so you know that feeling when you've finally mastered a game's combat, got your rhythm down, and then the sequel drops a mechanic that makes you wonder if you've accidentally cast a 'rewind time' spell on your own skill set? That's the vibe I'm getting with Nioh 3, and bloody hell, it’s wilder than it first appeared.
For years, the Nioh series has been our glorious, brutal dance with death in a fantastical Warring States Japan. We’ve all spent countless hours perfecting our Ki Pulses, switching between high, medium, and low stances with more precision than a master calligrapher, and juggling an arsenal of weapons from katanas to those delightfully weird tonfa. It’s been an RPG build-crafter’s paradise, marrying deeply satisfying combat with layers of character customization. The series is known for its intricate systems, the kind that make you feel like you're truly earning every hard-won victory.
Now, Team Ninja, those mad geniuses, are back with Nioh 3, and they're chucking a whole new dimension into the mix: the **Ninja Style**. Gone are the days of merely *optionally* dabbling in stealthy shenanigans. Nioh 3 is fully splitting the experience into two distinct combat philosophies you can swap between with a single button press: the familiar, stalwart **Samurai Style** and the lightning-fast, evasion-focused **Ninja Style**. And here's the kicker: swapping styles changes your weapons, armour, and even your usable skills. It’s like having two entirely separate builds hot-swappable on the fly, practically doubling the game's inherent charm as both an action title and a deep RPG.
Fair dinkum, this isn’t just a cosmetic change. Your character even gets a visual makeover when you adopt the Ninja Style, complete with a distinctly 'ninja run' animation. They've really gone all-in on the aesthetic, right down to creating separate character looks for both styles during character creation. It's a proper commitment, not just a bit of flair.
But why the full split? We’ve always been able to use ninja-like combat to some degree, so why dedicate a whole new paradigm to it? When IGN’s folks chatted with Nioh 3 General Producer Fumihiko Yasuda, he explained they wanted to 'create a new kind of action that would act as a major centerpiece, making players feel that the game has taken a step forward.' He also brought up Team Ninja's deep history with the *Ninja Gaiden* series, basically saying, 'Look, we know ninjas. We’ve been making them for ages, just like samurai.' There’s a nod to overseas players loving ninjas too, which, let's be honest, is probably true – ninjas *are* cool. It's a commercially smart move, no doubt, but coming from a studio with their pedigree, it feels less like cynical pandering and more like genuinely leveraging their extensive expertise.
Now, let's talk brass tacks: how do these styles actually *play*? Samurai Style is your bread and butter Nioh. It's the steady, block-focused, stance-dancing combat we've come to expect. You'll still be managing your Ki (stamina) with the iconic Ki Pulse, that satisfying snap of energy recovery after an attack. This mechanic, known as Zanshin in Japanese, ties into kendo and swordsmanship, reinforcing that grounded, tactical samurai feel.
Ninja Style, on the other hand, tosses many of those conventions out the window like a shuriken at a particularly annoying yokai. It’s all about quick movement and evasion. No weapon stances here, mate – instead, you’ve got ninjutsu at your disposal. And here’s where things get properly interesting (and for some, perhaps a tad controversial): Ki Pulse is gone. Replaced by an entirely new action called **Mist**.
Mist is a swift, almost ethereal move. After attacking, pressing the Ki Pulse button will now create a clone as your character zips away, allowing you to reposition, often getting behind an enemy for extra damage. It sounds incredibly stylish, like something straight out of a classic ninja flick. But, as some players have already noted, the absence of Ki Pulse in Ninja Style might feel a bit jarring. For veteran Nioh players, Ki Pulse isn’t just a button press; it’s a fundamental rhythm, a core part of managing combat flow and dispelling those pesky yokai realms that drain your Ki.
Producer Kohei Shibata weighed in on this decision, explaining it was all about carving out a clear distinction between the samurai and ninja experiences. He pointed out that giving Ninja Style Ki Pulse made its combat tempo too similar to Samurai Style. For ninjas, they wanted players to lean into mobility with Mist. The stance system, derived from sword kata, also felt out of place for a ninja. It’s a design choice to ensure 'distinct styles of movement and combat,' and you can't fault them for wanting to push boundaries.
'But what about the yokai realms?' I hear you cry. 'How do I dispel those nasty Ki-draining puddles if not with Ki Pulse?' Shibata confirms there’s a skill that allows you to dispel yokai realms by using Mist in Ninja Style. So, while you won't be able to do it straight away, it becomes an option as you progress. It's an important detail, reassuring us that they haven't completely kneecapped the mechanic, just recontextualized it.
Yasuda reiterated that while Ki Pulse is a Nioh trademark, they couldn't just 'reuse it' for a ninja. They needed something equally distinctive. Mist, or *Kasumi* (bringing to mind speed and cloning), was born from this desire to give Ninja Style its own unique flavour. And yes, for anyone wondering, he laughingly promised they 'didn't take it from Dead or Alive's Kasumi.' Good to know, mate, good to know.
Speaking of other Team Ninja classics, the elephant in the dojo has to be *Ninja Gaiden*. With *Ninja Gaiden 4* reportedly on the horizon, could Nioh 3 be a playground for some classic Ryu Hayabusa moves? Yasuda gave a promising nod, saying they'll 'look into creating the sort of action that fans of both series will enjoy,' though he hinted any direct techniques might be a bit different from what we've seen before. There have been Ninja Gaiden nods in Nioh before, particularly in DLC, and with a full-blown Ninja Style, it feels like the perfect opportunity for some delicious Easter eggs. I reckon we'll be sifting through the final game with a fine-tooth comb, looking for every glorious hint.
So, Nioh 3’s dual-style combat system feels like a genuine evolution, not just a gimmick. It’s a bold move to mess with core mechanics like Ki Pulse, but the developers’ reasoning is sound: distinct playstyles for distinct archetypes. It promises to double the depth and replayability, offering a fresh challenge for veterans and an even richer experience for newcomers. Whether it's a seamless slice of genius or a chaotic dance that takes some getting used to, one thing's for sure: it's going to be an adventure. I, for one, can't wait to see if I can truly become a digital ninja wizard, bending reality to my will with Mist and steel. Now, where's my sake?
Tags: Nioh3, ActionRPG, TeamNinja, Soulslike, CombatMechanics
Original article: IGN South Africa