Release Order Recommended
0 / 3 playedHow the games launched. Best for learning combat.
Chronological Order
0 / 3 playedBy in game date. Better as a second run.
About Nioh
Nioh is Team Ninja's dark samurai action RPG about yokai haunted Japan. Nioh from February 2017 follows William in the 1600 Sekigahara period. Nioh 2 from March 2020 rewinds to the late 1500s with Hide, making it a prequel despite releasing second.
Nioh 3 from February 6, 2026 stars Tokugawa Takechiyo after both earlier games, adding open fields and instant samurai and ninja switching on PS5 and PC. DLC Hell Rising arrived August 2026. The systems, not the plot, carry over, so mechanics matter more than lore.
Good to know
Release order is the recommended first path, since Nioh 2 assumes you know stance, Ki and Guardian Spirits from Nioh. Timeline order suits a rewatch once combat clicks: Nioh 2 in the 1500s, Nioh in 1600, then Nioh 3 last. Either way, play Nioh 3 last for the open field and style switch payoff in 2026.
