Koei Tecmo has announced that Nioh 3's first major downloadable content expansion, titled Hell Rising, will be released on August 19. This DLC marks the beginning of a two-part story arc, setting the stage for subsequent content.
Hell Rising transports players to a ravaged Keian era Edo, the historical name for Tokyo. The narrative follows protagonist Takechiyo, the appointed shogun, who is guided to a future Edo by a mysterious yokai encountered in dreams. Upon arrival, Takechiyo finds the era of peace shattered and Edo overrun by a force known as the Crucible, following the death of a future version of himself. Teaming up with a one-eyed swordsman named Yagyu Jubei and a Spanish envoy named Rodrigo, Takechiyo will confront a conspiracy involving Spirit Stones and an antagonist with deep-seated grievances against the shogunate.
The expansion introduces a new weapon combination: the hoko and shield. This versatile set can be utilized in both samurai and ninja combat styles, offering a range of offensive and defensive maneuvers, from basic attacks and shield parries to tactical shield throws. New outfits inspired by the DLC's Spanish alchemists will also be available.
Players seeking a greater challenge can engage with a new difficulty setting called The Enlightened One's Journey. This mode randomly bestows curse buffs upon certain enemies, significantly increasing their difficulty but also guaranteeing they drop powerful items of divine rarity. For those wishing to hone their skills or test themselves in varied scenarios, Hell Rising includes the Hundred Demon Realms Picture Scrolls. These scrolls allow players to set up custom combat encounters, playable solo or in multiplayer.
Nioh 3 itself was noted for its ability to blend elements from various genres, creating a unique soulslike experience. While it may not match the stylistic elegance of FromSoftware's titles or the inventiveness of some contemporary soulslikes, its amalgamation of gameplay mechanics was praised. The game also offers visually striking environments, with promotional materials for Hell Rising showcasing detailed and atmospheric scenes.