Team Ninja Unveils Nioh 3: Hell Rising Expansion, New Weapon Type and Story Details

TechRadar interviewed game directors Masaki Fujita and Atsushi Takahashi as well as producer Kohei Shibata. Fujita explained that the DLC takes place after the main story and assumes players have cleared it. He noted that the Keian era comes right after Takechiyo's reign as the third shogun, and that by leaping into the future, players witness both the light and dark sides of their own rule. This experience is designed to reflect across both DLC volumes.

The expansion introduces a new weapon archetype: the Hoko and Shield, available in standard and Ninja variants. Takahashi described it as combining offense and defense, allowing players to parry at the right moment and counterattack. The Ninja version can also be thrown, ridden, and woven with spear attacks for greater mobility. He called it a high-risk, high-reward weapon type.

TechRadar praised the expansion, noting it took roughly 8-10 hours to complete all main missions and side quests. The review highlighted the impressive area variety, including water-logged villages, an active volcano, and a foreign alchemists' laboratory. New boss fights, particularly Yagyu Jubei, serve as a gatekeeper that tests player readiness. However, the review noted that many base-game bosses are reused, which occasionally frustrates.

The expansion requires a completed save of Nioh 3 and a competent endgame build to face higher difficulty. New skills, ninjutsu, and onmyo magic are also included. TechRadar concluded that Hell Rising is a masterful microcosm of what made the base game great, and the late-game twist sets up the upcoming second expansion.