Koei Tecmo's Simultaneous PC and PS5 Launch Strategy for Nioh 3 Proves Successful as New RPG Sets Series Records on Steam

Nioh 3 has been available for just a few hours, yet it has already become the most popular Nioh title ever on Steam. Unlike its predecessors, Nioh and Nioh 2, which arrived on PC months after their PlayStation releases, Nioh 3 debuted on Steam simultaneously with its PS5 version. This launch strategy is paying off, with the game reaching over 54,400 concurrent players at the time of writing—a number that continues to climb. For comparison, SteamDB data shows that the first Nioh peaked at about 10,649 concurrent players, while Nioh 2 reached 41,325.

In IGN's review of Nioh 3, which scored an 'Amazing' 9/10, we praised the game for its top-tier combat that refreshes the series with a compelling blend of Samurai and Ninja styles, along with a successful shift to an open-world design. The review noted, 'Even in a crowded soulslike genre, the Nioh series remains unique, and Nioh 3 stands out as the trilogy's best entry. While the open-world transition isn't flawless, the engaging exploration, stunning environments, and exciting optional boss fights largely make up for any minor flaws.'

We added, 'Combine that exceptional combat with highly customizable build crafting, a lengthy campaign featuring a deep New Game+ mode where the loot system excels, and a convenient auto-equip feature, and you have another hit from Team Ninja that dominates the soulslike category.'

Nioh 3 launched today, February 6, on PC via Steam and PS5. A recent trailer hints that Xbox and possibly Nintendo Switch 2 users might not have to wait long for their own versions. Remember, you can test the game with a demo before purchasing, and your progress will carry over to the full release.