Elden Ring Meets Ghost of Yotei in Free PC AAA Offering

If you’re in the market for a new “dark samurai action RPG”, you’re in luck.

Koei Tecmo Games’ Nioh 3 is set to be released very soon, on 6 February to be exact, but you can actually sample the game already totally free of charge.

That’s because Nioh 3 has launched a brand new demo that you can sample on PC via Steam, as well as on PlayStation 5.

If you’re not already familiar with the franchise, I’d pitch Nioh 3 to you as Elden Ring meets Ghost of Yōtei; think fast-paced samurai combat in a challenging and sprawling open-world.

“A deadly struggle unfolds amidst the devastation of an alternate Warring States period where bandits run rampant and yokai skulk about,” the synopsis reads.

As for what you can expect to experience in the demo, it features “the opening stages of the game from the very beginning”.

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What’s extra handy is that save data will carry over once Nioh 3 arrives on 6 February, so if you play the demo, you won’t have to replay the game’s opening.

That’s great because not only does this demo have the potential to entice in new players, it also allows existing fans to get a head start.

I’ll also mention that Nioh 3 does not have to be played alone. It supports multiplayer for up to three players, so if you have a couple of buddies that are interested, rally them up.

Oh, but there’s more. Need more incentive to try the demo? Players who complete it will receive a unique in-game bonus item when Nioh 3 launches in full.

The item in question is the Twin-Snake Helmet which is exactly what it sounds like, armour. Cool looking armour, though.

If you want to obtain the Twin-Snake Helmet, you must complete the demo by 15 February 2026.

The demo should remain available after this stage, but you’ll no longer be eligible for the freebie, which should make it relatively rare.

You Don’t Need Experience With Prior Entries

One question I’m sure many will be asking is, “Can I play Nioh 3 without playing the first two entries?”

The answer to that is an easy yes.

I’d highly recommend you play those earlier games. Nioh 2, especially, is absolutely stellar and arguably one of the greatest of all-time.

That being said, I wouldn’t say the Nioh franchise is famed for its story. Each entry offers an engaging story but it’s the gameplay and combat that sets it apart.

If you pick up Nioh 3, you miss a few small references to prior events here and there, but Koei Tecmo, I feel, has always been aware that each new entry could be a jumping on point for new players.

At the end of the day, the demo is free, so there’s no harm in giving it a try. The full game is out 6 February 2026.