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Entertainment • Video game

Nioh

Nioh is a 2017 action role-playing video game developed by Team Ninja and published by Koei Tecmo.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Nioh is a 2017 action role-playing video game developed by Team Ninja and published by Koei Tecmo. Set in a fictionalized version of Japan in 1600, it follows William, a foreign samurai, as he fights yokai during the late Sengoku period.

Gameplay

Nioh is an action role-playing game focused on melee combat, stamina management, and challenging encounters. It includes both single-player play and cooperative multiplayer.

Setting and story

The story takes place in Japan in 1600 during the final stages of the Sengoku period. It blends historical events and figures with fantasy elements, including yokai and a fictionalized version of William Adams.

Release and platforms

Nioh launched on PlayStation 4 in February 2017. It later received a Windows release with downloadable content and remastered releases for newer platforms.

Reception and legacy

The game was followed by Nioh 2, which continued the series as a prequel. Nioh is commonly discussed as part of the modern action RPG and 'soulslike' genre.

Key facts

  • Nioh was first released for PlayStation 4 in February 2017.
  • The game is set during the late Sengoku period in a dark fantasy version of Japan.
  • Players control William, a foreign samurai based on the historical William Adams.
  • The game features historical figures alongside supernatural yokai.
  • A Windows version including downloadable content was released in 2017.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of game is Nioh?
Nioh is an action role-playing game with challenging melee combat and fantasy-historical themes.
Who developed Nioh?
It was developed by Team Ninja.
When was Nioh released?
It was first released for PlayStation 4 on February 7, 2017.
Who is the main character in Nioh?
The player controls William, a foreign samurai based on the historical William Adams.
What is Nioh set in?
It is set in a fictionalized Japan in 1600 during the late Sengoku period.
Was Nioh released on other platforms?
Yes. It later appeared on Windows and received remastered releases for PlayStation 5.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nioh
    Supports: Developer, publisher, release dates, platforms, setting, story overview, and sequel information.
  2. German Wikipedia — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nioh
    Supports: Release dates, platforms, genre, mode, and setting.
  3. IGN — https://www.ign.com/wikis/nioh/
    Supports: Developer, release date, platform, and story premise.