Team Ninja has announced that Nioh 3’s first DLC expansion, Hell Rising, will launch on August 19 for PlayStation 5 and PC.
Hell Rising continues the story of protagonist Takechiyo, who travels through time after encountering a mysterious yokai in his dreams. Guided to a future version of Edo, he discovers that peace has collapsed following the death of the future Takechiyo, with the city falling under the control of the Crucible. Alongside the one-eyed swordsman Yagyu Jubei and Spanish envoy Rodrigo, he must uncover another conspiracy surrounding Spirit Stones and a new enemy targeting the shogunate.
The expansion introduces a new explorable region set in Edo during the Keian era in 1651. Once a symbol of the shogunate’s authority, the city has become a battlefield overrun by yokai, rebels and foreign alchemists.
Players will also gain access to two new weapon types, the Hoko & Shield and Ninja Hoko & Shield. The new weapon set combines defensive shield techniques with short spear attacks, allowing players to block, counter and even throw the shield during combat.
Hell Rising adds new enemies, including Yagyu Jubei, along with new equipment and Soul Cores to collect. Team Ninja is also introducing Enlightened One’s Journey, a new difficulty mode that becomes available after completing Shogun’s Journey. The mode raises equipment quality, Soul Core progression, level caps and Soul Matching limits.
Another major addition is the Hundred Demon Realms Picture Scrolls system. Players can customise battle conditions, enemy combinations and special rules to create repeatable challenges, earning unique scroll equipment with special effects. The feature supports both solo and multiplayer play.
The DLC also includes new Guardian Spirits, skills, Martial Arts, Ninjutsu, Onmyo Magic, Graces and additional gameplay content.
Hell Rising is included with the Nioh 3 Season Pass, which also grants access to the game’s second planned expansion and the Chijiko Netsuke Charm bonus accessory. The DLC requires the full version of Nioh 3, and some content may only become available after progressing through the main game.
