Nioh 3 Steam Demo Impresses with Smooth Performance on Older PCs
Team Ninja’s gaming releases have had a rocky history on PC, often suffering from performance issues at launch. The latest addition, Nioh 3, seems to break this trend with a newly released demo that demonstrates impressive performance, even on older hardware.
Nioh 3 Steam Demo Performance Analysis
The demo of Nioh 3 showcases a smoother gaming experience compared to previous titles like Rise of the Ronin and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, both of which faced significant performance criticism. Players have expressed satisfaction with Nioh 3’s performance, especially on older gaming laptops.
System Requirements for Nioh 3 Demo
To run Nioh 3 effectively, here are the recommended system requirements:
| Specifications | Minimum (1080p / 30fps) | Recommended (1080p / 60fps) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-10400, AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i5-10600K, AMD Ryzen 5 5600X |
| Memory | 16 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB or AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT |
| DirectX | Version 12 | Version 12 |
| Storage | 125 GB available space | 125 GB available space |
| Sound Card | 48000Hz 16bit Stereo | 48000Hz 16bit Stereo |
Performance Insights
During testing, the demo performed admirably on a setup featuring an RTX 3060 with 6GB of VRAM alongside a Ryzen 5 5600H and 16GB of RAM. The game generally maintained a frame rate of around 60 fps at 1080p with most graphics settings at “very low.” Notably, frame rates dipped occasionally to about 44 fps in expansive open-world areas.
- With Frame Generation Support: Frame rates significantly improved.
- Using FSR 3: Players could shift to “low” settings while retaining 60 fps.
- Standard Pre-set Performance: Players reported frame rates between 55 and 60 fps.
The precision required in Nioh games might impact some gamers negatively, as even slight latency could disrupt the experience. However, initial impressions of the demo have shown minimal input latency, allowing for enjoyable gameplay.
Conclusion
Nioh 3 represents a promising shift for Team Ninja regarding PC performance. This demo marks the first pre-release opportunity for players to explore before the full game launch. Players are encouraged to download the demo and experience the improvements firsthand, with the open world proving to be a compelling test of its capabilities. However, attempts to run the demo on devices like the Steam Deck are not recommended due to performance constraints.
