Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja have officially announced that Hell Rising, the first major expansion for Nioh 3, will launch on August 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam.
The DLC introduces a brand-new story campaign, new weapons, tougher enemies, additional gameplay systems, and a challenging endgame difficulty for veteran players.
A New Journey Begins in Edo
Set during the Keian era of 1651, Hell Rising sees protagonist Takechiyo travel to Edo after the death of his future counterpart.
With peace shattered, the Crucible has reclaimed the city, leaving its once-thriving streets overrun by Yokai, human rebels, and foreign alchemists.
As another conspiracy surrounding the mysterious Spirit Stones threatens the shogunate, Takechiyo will join forces with legendary one-eyed swordsman Yagyu Jubei and Spanish envoy Rodrigo to uncover the truth behind the growing chaos.
New Hoko and Shield Weapon Style
The expansion introduces an entirely new Hoko and Shield weapon set, available for both Samurai and Ninja combat styles.
The versatile weapon combination allows players to:
- Attack while maintaining a defensive stance
- Perform powerful counterattacks
- Throw the shield at enemies from range
- Mix offensive and defensive techniques into fluid combat combinations
New Enemies, Gear and Endgame Content
Alongside the new story, Hell Rising expands Nioh 3’s endgame with a wealth of additional content, including:
- New Yokai enemies
- New equipment and armour
- Additional Soul Cores
- New loot rewards
- Expanded progression systems
Players who complete Shogun’s Journey will also unlock Enlightened One’s Journey, a new high-level difficulty that increases enemy strength while raising equipment quality and progression limits for characters, Soul Cores, and Soul Matching.
-
1-UP GAMES
RECENT NEWS
PlayStation Plus September 2026 Games Announced
Included in the Season Pass
Hell Rising is the first of two major post-launch expansions planned for Nioh 3 and is included as part of the game’s Season Pass.
The second expansion, Bloody Insurrection, is still scheduled to release at a later date.
With a substantial new story, fresh combat options, expanded endgame progression, and tougher challenges for experienced players, Hell Rising looks set to be the biggest content update for Nioh 3 since launch.
Will you be returning to Nioh 3 when Hell Rising launches on August 19? Let us know what feature you’re most excited to try in the comments below.
