Nioh 3

In the third chapter of this samurai action RPG, Nioh 3 (2026) continues the traditions established in its previous entries, but with a small tweak regarding the new open-world approach. Japanese game developer Team Ninja joined forces with Koei Tecmo, crafting yet another epic tale confined to the ancient traditions of the samurai.

The first game in the series featurs an original score by Yūgo Kanno, while the two sequels rely on composer Akihiro Manabe, with minimal reprises of Kanno's music. All three utilise traditional, old instruments and present them combined with modern, solo, and full orchestral components, alongside some contemporary electronics. Given these concepts, predictability is all around and makes it very indistinguishable, but it still manages to leave quite an impression. To appreciate it, not only while playing the game, means having a lenient mentality in all facets. There is nothing new, not even the temp track influence, yet there is much going on that warrants attention. In reality, it means I love the more traditional elements but do not always like the basic chord progressions or exhilarating tracks that become better because of the very well-integrated use of an 'ancient' woodwind. On a side note, I wonder why so few composers actually use older techniques of Japanese singing (Kenji Kawai is a notable exception), whereas Manabe relies on evocative but too modern solo vocal performances? In reality, streamlining and not making the effort is presumably what we face in general, but not necessarily just in video games. At the same time, presumably a lot of people will love this score despite my personal grievances.

Nioh 3 is released in digital format (163 minutes) and a much shorter CD release (bundled with a special edition of the game) by KOEI TECMO.



Traciklist
01 Opening 1:59
02 Freed from This Mortal Coil III 1:28
03 Takechiyo 4:54
04 Introduction 2:39
05 Spirit Tree 3:43
06 Edo 3:29
07 Kunimatsu I 3:44
08 Kunimatsu II 3:06
09 Eternal Rift 4:31
10 Crucinite 2:25
11 Warring States I 3:20
12 Masakage 2:38
13 Battle: Warring States 2:00
14 Lesser Crucible 3:15
15 Himiko I 3:42
16 Demon of Torment 2:54
17 The Crucible: Warring States 3:01
18 The Unfathomable 3:22
19 Warring States II 3:22
20 Battle I 4:14
21 Battle II 4:03
22 Battle III 4:02
23 Warring States: Futamata 3:36
24 Nobuharu 3:09
25 Shingen I 2:50
26 Warring States: Saigagake 4:42
27 Shingen II 2:47
28 Sorrow 4:02
29 Traveler of Light 2:34
30 Heian I 3:18
31 Great Tengu 2:45
32 Heian II 3:10
33 Battle: Heian 1:56
34 The Crucible: Heian 2:46
35 Yoritomo 3:05
36 Antiquity 3:06
37 Himiko II 2:54
38 The Crucible: Antiquity 2:42
39 Hiruko 2:37
40 Bakumatsu I 3:28
41 Shinsaku 2:21
42 Bakumatsu II 3:26
43 Battle: Bakumatsu 1:57
44 Bakumatsu III 3:08
45 The Crucible: Bakumatsu 3:02
46 Yoshinobu 2:46
47 Bravery 3:22
48 The Crucible: Edo 3:18
49 Death Veil 3:24
50 The Final Battle 4:14
51 Ending 4:49

Total duration:163:05


(17-02-2026)