After a lot fan speculation, the studio confirmed that the sequel will take place during the Bakumatsu period, the turbulent final decades of the Edo era. It’s a moment in Japanese history defined by political upheaval, foreign influence, and the slow collapse of the shogunate. In other words, it’s almost tailor-made for Nioh’s blend of myth, brutality, and supernatural chaos.

What makes the choice of the Bakumatsu period so exciting is how much narrative freedom it gives the developers. The era is full of real-world figures who already feel larger than life, and it’s easy to picture yokai-inspired interpretations of well-known rebels, swordsmen, and political agitators. At the same time, the rapid cultural and technological shifts of the late 1800s could open the door to weapons and environments the series hasn’t explored before.

Team Ninja didn’t say much about the gameplay, but the studio hinted that there would be a “significant evolution” in how players approach combat. That phrasing is vague enough to mean almost anything, but for now, the studio seems to be keeping most of the details close to its chest.

One thing is clear: after Nioh 2 pushed the formula to its limits, the team needed a bold new direction, and the Bakumatsu era is exactly that. It’s a point in time overflowing with tension, drama, and folklore, and judging from the early reactions, players are already imagining what kinds of yokai might emerge from the shadows of a dying shogunate.

Nioh 3 feels ready to step into a moment of history that’s rarely explored in games and if the tease is anything to go by, the wait might be worth it.