Have you ever come across the term “masocore”? It’s a mix of “masochist” and “hardcore.” Team Ninja, the creators of the Nioh games, coined this term to describe their work. In a past interview, Yosuke Hayashi, the general producer at Team Ninja, explained that the team didn’t set out to make a game just like Dark Souls. Their goal was to capture the tension of samurai stories within a challenging format.
As we anticipate the launch of Nioh 3, I connected with Masaki Fujita, the game director for this new installment. I wanted to see how Team Ninja’s approach to difficulty has evolved, especially after creating other titles like Rise of the Ronin and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty.
The debate around difficulty in action role-playing games (RPGs) is ongoing. Should games like Dark Souls and Elden Ring offer different difficulty settings? Would that make them easier for new players? Or would it diminish the reward of overcoming challenges? Hidetaka Miyazaki, the creator of Dark Souls, believes that mastery comes from adapting your strategy rather than sheer skill.
When I asked Fujita about adding difficulty settings to Nioh, he was clear: “We’ve never considered it. The struggle to complete the game is a shared experience. With Nioh 3, players have more strategies to explore, so changing the difficulty isn’t our focus.”
This idea aligns with Miyazaki’s perspective. He has mentioned that success in games isn’t just about being skilled; it also involves experimenting with different strategies and tactics. This is especially true in Nioh, where players can use a mix of magic, ninjutsu, and various skills to conquer challenges. After logging considerable hours in Nioh 3, I found it to be more accessible than its predecessors. The open-world aspect lets players take a break from tough fights by engaging in side quests to level up.
Fujita emphasized, “The satisfaction of figuring out how to overcome obstacles is a highlight of our series.” This sense of freedom in gameplay feels more evident in Nioh 3 than in previous titles, making it stand out. Players can tailor their strategies to find success, which gives the game a unique flavor.
As we look forward to February 6, 2026, when Nioh 3 hits PlayStation 5 and PC, it’s clear that Team Ninja is committed to crafting a challenging yet rewarding experience. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the series, the journey promises to be both engaging and fulfilling.
