Before You Buy Nioh 3 Guide: 1st & 2nd Game Recap

With Nioh 3’s release approaching, prospective players question if they need to play the first two games. Playing Nioh 1 & 2 is not required to understand or enjoy the third installment, as each game features a largely self-contained narrative. Nioh 3 introduces its own protagonist and historical setting, making it an accessible entry point. The previous titles, however, establish the world’s deep-rooted conflict between humans and yokai, and familiarity with them enriches the experience. This guide provides a summary for those wanting to understand the series' foundation without the significant time investment the games demand.

Worth Playing Nioh 1 & 2 Before Third Game?

You do not need to play the first two games to enjoy Nioh 3. The sequel features a new protagonist and story that stands on its own. However, for players who appreciate deep lore and have the time for a significant challenge, the original games offer a rewarding experience that establishes the universe.

This guide is for newcomers who do not intend to play the previous titles but want to understand the foundational Nioh lore. Nioh 3 release is set for February 5-6 — check the background right now if you're going to buy the new one. It covers the key plot points and gameplay evolution of the series, providing the necessary context for the world of Nioh 3.

Nioh (2017) Recap

Nioh was released for PC in November 2017, developed by Team Ninja. It was received as a challenging action RPG, frequently compared to the Souls series but distinguished by its Sengoku-period Japan setting and faster combat. Key features included its stance-based fighting system, Ki Pulse mechanic for stamina management, and a loot system similar to games like Diablo.

Nioh 1 Gameplay

The game’s combat revolves around managing a stamina meter called Ki. Each of the five weapon types has a high, medium, and low stance, altering attack speed and power. A crucial mechanic is the Ki Pulse, a timed button press after a combo that recovers a portion of spent Ki. This pulse can also purify Yokai Realm pools, areas created by demons that strengthen them and halt the player's Ki regeneration. This system encourages a rhythmic, aggressive approach to fighting. The game is mission-based, with players navigating large, intricate levels to find shortcuts and defeat a boss at the end.

• Pros: deep, versatile, and fast-paced combat system that rewards skill.
• Cons: inconsistent level design in early stages and a poorly optimized PC port at launch (fixed).

Nioh’s combat offers a unique and satisfying rhythm that sets it apart from other action RPGs. While some level designs are uninspired and the PC port had issues, the core fighting mechanics are strong enough to carry the experience.

Nioh 1 Plot

The story follows William, an Irish sailor in the year 1600, who is imprisoned by England to prevent him from acquiring Amrita, a golden stone with mystical powers, for Spain. After escaping with his childhood spirit companion Saoirse, an alchemist named Edward Kelley steals her to use her Amrita-tracking abilities in Japan. William pursues Kelley to Japan, finding the country mired in civil war and overrun by demonic yokai, a conflict fueled by Kelley distributing Amrita.

• William lands in Japan and begins hunting Kelley to reclaim Saoirse.
• He forms an alliance with the warlord Tokugawa Ieyasu, who is fighting to unify the country.
• Along the way, he is aided by the ninja Hattori Hanzo and a spirit cat, Nekomata.
• Kelley sides with Ieyasu’s rival, Ishida Mitsunari, and uses Amrita to create chaos.
• Kelley attempts to resurrect the legendary warlord Oda Nobunaga as a demon king, but Nobunaga mocks Kelley and refuses to serve him.
• William confronts and kills Kelley in a final battle, reuniting with Saoirse.
• Tokugawa Ieyasu successfully unifies Japan, beginning the Edo period.

After faking his own death to escape Japan’s new political landscape, William returns to England. He confronts Kelley's master, John Dee, defeating him and severing his magical powers. A final vision shows his friend Hattori Hanzo in danger back in Japan, providing him a reason to return.

Nioh 2 (2020) Recap

Released in March 2020, Nioh 2 is a prequel set in the late 1500s. The game introduced a customizable protagonist, a half-human, half-yokai Shiftling named Hide. Its reception praised the refinement of the original's combat, adding new Yokai abilities, two new weapon types, and an even greater challenge.

Nioh 2 Gameplay

Nioh 2 expands on the original's combat by adding Yokai abilities. Players can equip Soul Cores from defeated yokai, allowing them to temporarily use enemy attacks. A key new defensive tool is the Burst Counter, a high-risk parry used to interrupt powerful enemy moves. The game also introduces the Yokai Shift, a transformation that temporarily makes the player stronger and faster. These additions, combined with new weapon types like the Switchglaive and dual hatchets, give players a wider array of tactical options. The core loop of mastering enemy patterns, managing Ki, and navigating treacherous levels remains central to the experience.

• Pros: Deeper combat with Yokai abilities and a large variety of enemies and levels.
• Cons: An extreme difficulty level that can feel punishing and lead to frustrating roadblocks.

The game is an evolution of the first, demanding mastery of its complex systems to overcome its intense challenges. Its difficulty is a defining feature, providing a deep sense of accomplishment for those who persevere.

Nioh 2 Plot

The story follows Hide, a half-yokai who teams up with Tokichiro, a merchant with ambitions to become a great leader. Together they take the name "Hideyoshi" and rise through the ranks serving the warlord Oda Nobunaga during the Sengoku period. Their journey is manipulated by Kashin Koji, a mysterious antagonist revealed to be a hateful remnant of the powerful yokai Otakemaru.

• Hide and Tokichiro join Oda Nobunaga's forces, participating in historical battles.
• They discover Hide is the twin of Yoshitatsu, who is manipulated by Kashin Koji.
• Following Nobunaga's assassination in the Honnō-ji Incident, Tokichiro becomes corrupted by power and the influence of Kashin Koji.
• Hide breaks from Tokichiro, siding with Akechi Mitsuhide and Tokugawa Ieyasu to stop him.
• Hide defeats the corrupted Tokichiro, momentarily freeing him before Kashin Koji resurrects him as a full demon.
• It is revealed that Kashin Koji is a fragment of the sealed yokai Otakemaru, seeking to plunge Japan into chaos.
• Hide, with the help of allies, reforges the sacred sword Sohayamaru and defeats the fully manifested Otakemaru, sealing him away.

Years later, after the events of the first Nioh, the seal on Otakemaru is disturbed. Hide teams up with William to confront the demon one last time, finally destroying Kashin Koji's spirit and bringing peace to both Otakemaru and the soul of Tokichiro.

Nioh 3 Lore

Nioh 3 continues the series' blend of Japanese history and yokai folklore, expanding the timeline to include the Edo, Warring States, Heian, and Bakumatsu periods. While the previous games focused on specific conflicts, the third installment follows protagonist Tokugawa Takechiyo on a journey that transcends time. The new open-field design replaces the mission-based structure of Nioh 1 & 2, allowing for greater exploration. This new structure is paired with an evolution in combat, replacing the complex stance and Yokai ability systems with a dual-style system, allowing players to instantly switch between a powerful Samurai style and an agile Ninja style.