Nioh 3's First Major Expansion Hell Rising is Out Now

Developer Team Ninja and publisher Koei Tecmo have launched the first major DLC expansion for Nioh 3, titled Hell Rising. The expansion is currently available for PC and PlayStation 5 players, and its release has been accompanied by a new trailer showcasing the update's features and narrative backdrop.

The Hell Rising DLC takes players to Edo during the Keian era of 1651, where the region has been overtaken by an entity known as the Crucible. The narrative throws players into the center of a fresh conflict surrounding the mysterious Spirit Stones. During this journey, players will fight alongside historical and fictional figures, including Yagyu Jubei and Rodrigo, while uncovering why Takechiyo was mysteriously transported to this era.

Gameplay additions in the expansion include new missions, enemies, Guardian Spirits, Martial Arts, Skills, Ninjutsu, and Onmyo Magic. Additionally, the DLC introduces the Hoko and Shield weapon categories, which combine the offensive reach of a short spear with the defensive capabilities of a shield. To test these tools, players can utilize the Hundred Demon Realms Picture Scrolls to configure and replay highly customizable battles. A new difficulty mode has also been added, offering extra benefits to expand character build options.

Following this release, Koei Tecmo confirmed that the development team has shifted focus to the game's second expansion, titled Bloody Insurrection. While this second DLC does not have an exact release date yet, details from the game's Season Pass indicate it is planned to launch by February 2027.

This update follows the February launch of Nioh 3, which has seen positive reception despite critiques regarding its enemy variety. In March, Team Ninja studio head Fumihiko Yasuda acknowledged that while the game is great, it is "not perfect," noting that the team hopes to incorporate lessons learned from its open-field elements into future titles. Producer Kohei Shibata also addressed player criticism, stating that the team has heard feedback regarding a lack of enemy variety and intends to look into improvements for potential future titles.