Team Ninja is set to release the first major story expansion for Nioh 3, titled Hell Rising, on August 19. The expansion will introduce a new map located in the Keian era of 1651, following the death of shogun Takechiyo. Players can expect new enemies, weapons, and equipment.
Project manager Kohei Shibata stated that the studio received positive feedback regarding Nioh 3's "open field" design and that the team is pleased to see their efforts in crafting tense, signature combat for this format bear fruit. The development of Hell Rising has incorporated player feedback from the base game. Notably, pistol-based combat has been added as a new ninjutsu technique, a feature frequently requested by players. For loot enthusiasts, high-value special effects will now be randomly applied to gear, enabling more in-depth curation. The expansion also enhances the narrative experience with discoverable documents, such as letters and notes, that provide deeper insights into characters, events, and the culture of the era.
The Keian era was chosen as the setting to conclude the story arc centered on the theme of the Shogun. While the main game followed the protagonist's journey to becoming shogun, Hell Rising focuses on his accomplishments after assuming the title. The expansion's narrative involves Takechiyo traveling forward in time to witness the consequences of his rule, both positive and negative. A key historical event of the Keian era, the attempted rebellion led by Yui Shosetsu, is depicted in the game as an uprising powered by Hell that results in widespread destruction in Edo and an assault on Edo Castle. Both Edo Castle and the city of Edo will serve as playable areas within the expansion.
Regarding the protagonist's fate, Masaki Fujita, Nioh 3's game director, clarified that the story takes place in 1651 CE, after the historical death of the Shogun. Players will control a version of Takechiyo who has time-traveled from the past, meaning the protagonist of the main story does not strictly die. Player progress, including loot and abilities, will carry over from the main game.
Hell Rising introduces the "Hundred Demon Realms Picture Scroll" as a new equipment category. These scrolls offer special effects that can significantly impact character builds, including some that activate only when specific attributes like Valor or Heart reach a certain value, and others that allow multiple Mastery Skills to be active simultaneously. Scrolls of Divine rarity will also include a "Grace," a set bonus that can be augmented by equipping multiple pieces of equipment with the same Grace, potentially adding an extra tier to existing set bonuses. New Graces, not present in the main game, will be introduced in "Enlightened One's Journey," the DLC's third-playthrough difficulty, designed to bolster builds that previously struggled, such as those focused on specific elements, Onmyo, or Living Artifacts.
In terms of scale, the "Edo-Keian" map is comparable to the Heian section of the main game. "Edo-Keian" alone is estimated to take over 10 hours to complete, with the entirety of Hell Rising offering more than 30 hours of content, including a new third playthrough option. The playable areas feature familiar locations like Kanda and Ueno, alongside distinct new environments such as a massive aqueduct, underground waterways, and a volcanic region.
The new "Hoko and Shield" weapon offers unique mechanics for both Samurai and Ninja playstyles. For Samurai, it seamlessly integrates offense and defense, allowing players to block and counter-attack simultaneously. The Ninja variant is more versatile, enabling the shield to be thrown or even ridden, combined with hoko attacks for bewildering enemy assaults. Hell Rising is scheduled for release on August 19 for PlayStation 5 and PC.