Early Nioh 3 thoughts
"Early" in this case being after a dozen hours because this game is unfortunately huge. Working on this for a larger piece with a friend, but wanted to get some thoughts out of my system since I can tell this game is going to be a long one.
-The open world design isn't doing much for me. What I've seen of the first area at least feels "designed" for lack of a better word rather than largely being made up of empty space. There are sections that feel like proper levels from the previous games in microcosm, but they're still lacking compared to the full levels and dungeons of past games. The biggest problem is that these open areas exist as a literal checklist of stuff to do. The list is right on the map screen! It's like something out of the early 2010s when everyone was trying be the Ubisoft game.
I'm not a fan of that style of play because it's inherently vapid. It's an easy mode to settle into, certainly, but it's just busywork. There's nothing inherently interesting or satisfying about it. With more games in the Souls lineage making the move to open worlds following Elden Ring (Code Vein 2 is the other big one taking that approach), Nioh 3's particular take is in line with what Rise of the Ronin did, but where that game was entirely designed to be an open world game in the traditional sense, Nioh 3's take feels boring. Would have much preferred the level-based design instead.
-Everything is being doled out really slowly. Basic things like the number of weapons you can equip are locked behind progression (haven't gotten there yet) and even weapon types. It's weird. Makes it easy to get through most of the skill trees for weapons and the two styles. Unless a bunch of new nodes open up at some point, it is odd to have so many abilities and skills unlocked so quickly. Not such a bad thing on the weapon side of things -- more attacks means more combo variety, which means combat becomes more varied and expressive -- but it does make wonder what else the game has to last however long its runtime is.
-It feels easier so far -- at least outside of the boss fights which are still mean in the way they've always been. I imagine that's partially due to the changes in level design and how you're usually fighting foes one-on-one or sneaking up behind them to take them down instantly or at least greatly lower they're health. Lower enemy density helps as well. But also it is still the first area, so it could just be holding back the really hard and annoying enemy types.