Last updated on February 2, 2026
If Nioh 3 has been sitting at the top of your 2026 wishlist and the newly released demo is the kind of drop that instantly rearranges your plans. February is here and Team Ninja does not make fans wait until release day to get hands-on. The demo is live, and it’s an easy recommendation for anyone who loves fast, demanding action RPGs, especially if you missed last year’s PlayStation-only beta.
Available on PC and PS5
One thing you’ll notice right away is that the demo isn’t locked to one platform, it’s out on both PC and PS5, same as the full release. That’s a bit of a change for Nioh, which usually did the PlayStation-first thing and brought PC in later. This time, it’s more like everyone gets to line up at the start together.
Nioh 3 launches on February 6 2026.
What’s in the demo
This isn’t a tiny vertical slice that ends right as things get interesting. The demo includes a solid portion of the opening hours, enough to establish the tone, introduce combat flow and most importantly, show off Nioh 3’s new “duality” concept.
The main hook in the demo is the dual-style setup: you can swap between Samurai and Ninja whenever you want. It’s not just a flashy feature either, once you start using it, it changes how you take fights, how you handle pressure, and what kind of identity your character ends up having.
A new direction in level design
Another big thing the demo shows is the new open-field approach to levels. It’s not a full open world, but it’s also not the old corridor-style Nioh structure either. There’s more room to move around and poke into side paths, while the game still keeps that tight, mission-driven feel.
Changes based on the Beta
The demo isn’t just a repeat of last year’s beta, either. Team Ninja has clearly taken feedback from that test and folded it into what you’re playing here, and those tweaks are meant to stick in the final release too. If you were in the beta, you’ll spot what’s changed, if not thats a good thing to jump in.
Your progress carries over
Here’s the feature that makes the demo more than just a preview: progress transfers to the full game. That includes the character, so if you’re the type who spends an hour perfecting a face sculpt and another hour tweaking details “just one more time,” you can do it now without worrying you’re wasting time. When the full game launches, you’ll simply continue from where you left.
Online Co-op for up to three players and a bonus reward
Co-op players aren’t left out. The demo supports online multiplayer for up to three people, which means you can tackle the opening chunk together instead of going it alone. Team Ninja is also doing the familiar “finish the demo, get a bonus” thing, wrap up the available content and you’ll unlock the Twin-Snake Helmet for the full game. You’ll need to complete the demo before February 15 to claim it.
I write for Need4Games, mostly keeping track of what’s coming next. I cover showcases and release updates, put together quick lists when you just want the highlights, and I’ll post Steam deal roundups when the sales get wild. I play a lot of games, so I tend to look at games through that lens. No overthinking, just: what it is, why it’s interesting, and if it’s actually worth your time. I also stream now and then on Twitch.
