With its launch just three days away, Nioh 3 has already snatched the top spot on Steam’s global best-seller list. The demo, which launched on January 29, has been swamped with players since day one, proving that anticipation for the full release is reaching a fever pitch.

In this third installment, the narrative kicks off with Tokugawa Takechiyo, the heir apparent to the Shogunate, facing off against his brother, Tokugawa Kunimatsu. After Takechiyo narrowly escapes Kunimatsu’s yokai-led ambush by harnessing the power of a Guardian Spirit, he finds himself hopping through time. You’ll be traversing not just the Sengoku period, but also the Edo and Heian eras, purifying lands twisted by yokai and facing down whatever threats lurk in the shadows.

The trial version, available since the 29th ahead of the February 6 launch, saw its concurrent player count surpass 39,000 on its first day. It’s not just curiosity driving those numbers; those who clear the demo before February 15 get a 'Dancheong Ssangsa Helmet' for the main game, and since your save data carries over, it’s a no-brainer for most players.

The studio is shaking things up by introducing an open-world system—a first for the series. They’ve also overhauled the combat, allowing you to swap between two styles on the fly. You’ve got the 'Samurai' style, which leans into the series' signature heavy strikes and parries, or the 'Ninja' style, which focuses on perfectly timed dodges, ninjutsu, and a unique 'Mist' evasion move for those who crave speed and unpredictability.