The launch of Nioh 3 has taken the gaming world by storm, hitting over one million sales in record time. While new players are loving the beautiful open world, many long-time fans are asking, Is this game too easy? While the first two games boasted notable difficulty, the community is split on whether the series has gone soft.

This shift in difficulty comes from the game’s new systems. From the agile Ninja Style to redesigned levels, the rules have changed and if you find fights less demanding, you aren’t alone. Here is why the game feels different and how to restore the Nioh Edge.

Nioh 3 Ninja Style is a Safety Net for Every Fight

The underlying reason for the drop in difficulty is the brand-new Ninja Style. In previous games, you had to manage your stamina (Ki) perfectly, or you would be left wide open. In Nioh 3, the Ninja Style enables players with shurikens and bombs that recharge while dodging or landing hits.

This change lets players keep distance from tough bosses while dealing damage. Fights have become more about movement than tense duels, and always available stamina turns encounters into fast-paced action instead of survival challenges.

However, the greatest hidden difficulty drop is the default control scheme. Since Style Shifting and Burst Breaking are tied to the same button (R2), players often accidentally shift into the safer Ninja mode when they only meant to parry. Veterans are now recommending players toggle the Style Shift Separation in the settings to avoid this accidental safety net.

The Trap of the Open World in Nioh 3

Nioh 3 moved away from small, tight hallways and into big, open areas. While this looks amazing, it has a side effect: over-leveling. If you are the type of player who likes to find every hidden treasure and finish every side quest, you will likely end up 10 levels higher than the boss expects you to be. Its like bringing a professional athlete to a high school sports game; the stats just aren’t fair.

The game lacks Zone Scaling, which is the system that makes enemies stronger as you get tougher, and without it early regions feel like a child’s play. But the game has Level Sync. Unlocked after completing the main story. It’s the only way to 100% the map without losing that Masocore tension to over-leveling.

Nioh 3 Baba Nobuharu: The Reality Check

If you think the whole game is a cakewalk, you haven’t hit the mid-game reality check, Baba Nobuharu. He is the filter that separates those playing Nioh 3 from those just playing an action game.

Many players with proper armors who cruised through the first ten hours found themselves hitting a brick wall here. To beat him, you have to stop playing it safe. You need to master the Burst Break, which is a special move where you switch styles right as the boss attacks. Its like a high-stakes game of Rock-Paper-Scissors; if you time it right, you break his guard, and if not, you’ll be back to the start. He is the proof that the old Nioh difficulty is still there, it’s just hiding behind the mid-game bosses.

Nioh 3: How to Bring Back the Hardcore Challenge

If you want to feel the gameplay struggle and rush again, you have to set your own rules. Many veterans are trying Challenge Runs to make the game feel like the old days. Try these simple steps to fix the balance:

By limiting your tools, you can transform Nioh 3 back into the punishing masterpiece you remember. Whether you enjoy the new cozy vibe or want to suffer for your victory, the choice is finally in your hands.

Check the author’s recent take: End of the Solo Raids: Pokemon GO Super Mega Raids are a Link Charge Trap

Quick fact about the author Diwas Budhathoki: I sometimes make music under the alias Ease Is Easy.