Nioh 3 launched at the start of the year, and the months that followed saw me spending over 90 hours battling bosses, mastering the new Ninja form, and exploring its dense open‑area maps. While I consider it the best entry in the trilogy, the experience left me exhausted and reluctant to revisit the game, making the first expansion, Hell Rising, my chance to return.
Hell Rising’s Setting and Time Period Tell Its Story
Takechiyo chases a dream Yokai after the main game, then is sent forward to the Keian Era of 1651, a few decades beyond the original timeline. Though I’ve never been enamored with Nioh’s story, moving forward gives the expansion a fresh identity, and the quirky characters and guardian spirits—especially older Takechiyo—remain the highlight.
The 1651 Keian setting stands out with its striking blue‑red palette and new locations such as a ship graveyard, training grounds, and Yokai‑infested caves. While not revolutionary, the art direction builds on the series’ strengths.
Nioh 3’s structure is here to stay, but Hoko and Shield feel fresh
Hell Rising follows the same loop as the base game: you start in a low‑level area, complete side activities, tackle story missions with skill‑testing bosses, and finish at the Crucible. The repetitive tasks—hunting Kodama, clearing bases, destroying spikes—feel familiar and a bit stale.
The biggest addition is the Hoko and Shield, the first weapon that lets you use the shield as a heavy attack, providing an active defensive option. It works for both Ninja and Samurai forms, altering slightly with each, and once mastered the shield‑push‑then‑sword combo becomes exceptionally effective and uniquely satisfying.
Tora Gozen, a cat‑like guardian spirit, adds charm and a complex counterattack that synergizes with the defensive playstyle. A new difficulty tier is also offered for those who want a greater challenge, and the Hundred Demon Realm Picture Scroll returns with procedurally generated battles, adding replay value.
Overall, Hell Rising delivers more of the solid Nioh experience—new location, fresh weapon, and extra content—but it doesn’t dramatically reshape the base game. Fans of Nioh 3 will appreciate the familiar loop with modest upgrades, though newcomers seeking a major overhaul may feel underwhelmed.