Nioh 3 Hits 1 Million Sales in Two Weeks, Fastest in Series History

Strong Launch for Team Ninja's Latest#

According to Team Ninja's official website, Nioh 3 has surpassed 1 million copies sold within two weeks of release. The milestone marks the fastest start for any entry in the series, which launched exclusively on PS5 and PC.

The achievement represents significant growth for the franchise. The original Nioh took several months to reach the same milestone back in 2017, while Nioh 2 hit the mark somewhat faster in 2020. For context, this puts Nioh 3's launch velocity closer to mainstream action titles than the niche darling status the series once held. It's a clear sign that Team Ninja's blend of punishing combat and build-crafting depth has graduated from cult favorite to established franchise.

The current-gen exclusivity likely played a role in the strong showing. PS5's install base has matured considerably since the console's rocky launch period, and the PC gaming audience has proven increasingly receptive to challenging action games. Skipping last-gen hardware also allowed Team Ninja to push visual fidelity and performance without compromise, something the series' fast-paced combat benefits from immensely.

Building on a Proven Formula#

Nioh 3 continues the series' signature blend of challenging combat and deep loot systems, set against a backdrop of dark fantasy feudal Japan. The game launched as a current-gen exclusive, skipping PS4 entirely, which means faster load times between deaths and smoother frame rates during the chaos of multi-enemy encounters.

Team Ninja has built a reputation for demanding action games stretching back to the Ninja Gaiden series, and the Nioh franchise has carved out its own identity in the soulslike space since the first game arrived in 2017. The franchise's combination of stance-based combat, ki pulse mechanics, and Diablo-style loot has cultivated a dedicated following that appreciates the series doing its own thing rather than simply copying FromSoftware's homework.

Where Souls games emphasize careful positioning and stamina management, Nioh rewards aggressive play and mastery of its stance system. High stance for heavy damage, mid-stance for balance, low stance for speed and evasion. Learning when to switch between them mid-combo separates competent players from masters. The ki pulse mechanic, which lets you recover stamina by timing a button press after attacks, adds another layer of skill expression that keeps combat feeling active rather than passive.

The loot system remains divisive but undeniably addictive for those who click with it. You're constantly drowning in gear drops, comparing stat rolls, and min-maxing builds around set bonuses and special effects. It's less about finding the legendary weapon and more about assembling a complete build that synergizes with your preferred playstyle. Some players find this approach too busy, preferring the cleaner itemization of traditional soulslikes. Others, especially those with an ARPG background, can't get enough of the theorycrafting possibilities.

What's Next#

With the strong launch behind them, Team Ninja will likely support Nioh 3 with post-launch content, following the pattern established by previous entries. Both Nioh and Nioh 2 received substantial DLC expansions that added new regions, bosses, and gear, typically releasing over the course of a year following launch.

If history repeats, expect three major DLC packs that continue the story while introducing new weapon types, enemy varieties, and endgame challenges. The previous games' expansions were meaty affairs, not just a couple of extra missions tacked on. They added entire new chapters with multiple main missions, side content, and some of the toughest boss encounters in their respective games. The DLC bosses in Nioh 2 were particularly brutal, designed for players who had already mastered the base game's systems.

The community will also be watching for balance patches and quality-of-life improvements. Team Ninja has shown willingness to adjust weapon balance and tweak mechanics based on player feedback, though they've never compromised on the core difficulty. If anything, the free updates between DLC drops have historically added even harder optional content for the truly dedicated.