Nioh 3 isn’t just another action game; it’s a sprawling JRPG with a combat system inspired by Soulslike games. Whether you’re diving into Japan’s chaotic history for the first time or returning for another challenge, knowing how long this journey will take is key to planning your playthrough. Here’s the breakdown of what you can expect.
What's the Average Playtime for Nioh 3?
The time it takes to beat Nioh 3 varies a lot depending on your playstyle, but for a standard playthrough with some side content, expect to spend around 55-60 hours. This covers the main story and most optional content you’ll naturally run into along the way. Keep in mind, Nioh 3 encourages exploration, and you’ll need to engage with side activities to level up and keep up with the game's difficulty.
If you’re aiming for 100% completion, which includes finding every Kodama, unlocking all Hot Springs, and maxing out your weapon skills, you’re looking at 60-80 hours. The gap between a casual run and a completionist one isn’t massive, though. Many side activities are key to leveling up and progressing smoothly through tougher areas.
How Long to Beat Nioh 3: Complete Playtime Guide
What Affects Your Playtime?
Your playtime depends mainly on three things:
Combat Proficiency: If it’s your first Soulslike, you'll take longer to get through boss fights and tough encounters.
Build Optimization: Getting a good grasp of the weapons and skill trees will save you a lot of time grinding.
Exploration: The more thorough you are about finding collectibles and unlocking Shrines early on, the less backtracking you'll do later.
The Eras and Their Playtime
Nioh 3 spans seven major chapters, each tied to a distinct period in Japanese history. Each era introduces unique maps, enemies, and story missions, contributing to the overall playtime.
The Warring States, Heian, and Bakumatsu periods are open-world regions, where you’ll spend the majority of your time exploring, completing side missions, and engaging with optional content. These eras are the bulk of the game’s content.
Tip
While the other eras are more linear and focused on progressing the story, you can revisit these periods by using Battle Scrolls at any Shrine.
New Game Plus and Beyond
Once you finish the main story, Nioh 3 offers a New Game Plus mode called Shogun’s Journey. This mode rebalances the game, offering tougher enemies, better loot, and more complex boss mechanics. If you decide to jump into NG+, expect another 40-50 hours for a full playthrough.
Check our Nioh 3 All Bosses & How to Beat Them guide before jumping into Shogun's Journey. Boss strategies change significantly in NG+.
New Game Plus selection
Speedrunning Nioh 3
For those looking to blaze through the game, skilled players have completed Nioh 3 in under 20 hours by skipping all the side content. However, for most first-time players, rushing through will result in tough difficulty spikes. Take your time and enjoy the challenge.
Every hour spent in Nioh 3 feels earned. The game doesn’t pad out its playtime with unnecessary filler. Every mission, every combat encounter, and every collectible adds depth to the experience. Whether you're just here for the story or aiming for the platinum trophy, Nioh 3 offers a rewarding journey that doesn’t feel like a grind.
For more Nioh 3, make sure to check out our guides below:
Combat Guide: Mastering Ki and Style Switching