Mastering Emotes in Nioh 3: A Comprehensive Guide

Nioh 3 offers a rich, yet sometimes overwhelming, gameplay experience. Among its many nuanced mechanics are emotes, or gestures, which are more than just cosmetic flair. This guide will clarify how to access and utilize these gestures, particularly their crucial role in interacting with certain yokai, making your journey through its demanding world smoother and more rewarding.

Unlocking the Power of Emotes in Nioh 3

In Nioh 3, mastering the use of gestures is a hidden gem for navigating the game's intricate world and its unique inhabitants. While the game's initial tutorial briefly touches upon this feature, its significance extends far beyond simple communication or photo opportunities. Emotes become strategic tools, especially when facing specific yokai—the Nurikabe and Mujina—allowing for peaceful resolutions rather than engaging in often brutal combat.

To access the gesture menu and express yourself within the game, players on a controller need to simultaneously press the right bumper and the start button. For those on a keyboard, the 'G' key serves as the gateway to a diverse array of gestures. Upon activation, a dedicated gesture window appears, presenting multiple pages of emotes to suit various in-game situations. Once chosen, your character will fluidly execute the selected movement, bringing a touch of personalization to your interactions.

The strategic value of emotes becomes apparent when encountering the elusive Nurikabe and Mujina yokai. Nurikabe, often disguised as inconspicuous walls, frequently guard valuable treasure chests or serene hot springs, such as the one found in Ryotan Temple within the northern Iinoya region. As you approach, their hidden eyes will subtly reveal their presence. While a direct attack will provoke them into a battle, employing the correct emote allows for a peaceful bypass. These gestures are color-coded—red, yellow, and blue—and aligning your emote with the correct color will cause the Nurikabe to vanish, sparing you a fight. Essentially, you're given two attempts to guess the correct color before resorting to combat.

Similarly, Mujina yokai, masters of mimicry, often appear as ordinary chests. When opened, they reveal their true form, mirroring your appearance and performing an emote. The key to dealing with a Mujina peacefully is to swiftly replicate the gesture it performs before it has a chance to attack. Successfully imitating its emote will cause it to yield valuable loot without a skirmish.

Understanding and utilizing this emote system not only enhances your gameplay experience by providing an alternative to constant combat but also rewards you with precious resources, making your adventure in Nioh 3 more efficient and enjoyable. This mechanic adds a layer of depth, encouraging players to observe, learn, and adapt to the spiritual inhabitants of this fantastical realm.

The nuanced use of emotes in Nioh 3 serves as a valuable lesson in strategic thinking and adaptability. It teaches players that not all challenges require brute force; sometimes, a peaceful approach, facilitated by understanding subtle cues, can lead to more favorable outcomes. This game design encourages observation and engagement with the game world beyond typical combat, offering a refreshing perspective on overcoming obstacles.