Capcom demonstrates expertise in revitalizing classic franchises, balancing respect for the original story with the modernization necessary to attract new audiences. This challenging process, which seeks to honor legacies while innovating, was once again executed with remarkable mastery by the company.
After two decades without a major release since “Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams”, Capcom faced a major challenge in renewing the series, incorporating new game design concepts and mechanics. However, after more than 25 hours dedicated to “Onimusha: Way of the Sword”, the developer’s ability to overcome any obstacle is evident.
Anyone who has had previous contact with the series, since the PlayStation 2 or through the remasters of “Warlords” and the second game, will notice the evident respect for the legacy in “Way of the Sword”.
The game maintains the essence of “Onimusha” while integrating elements from contemporary action titles such as “God of War” (2018) and “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice”. Miyamoto Musashi’s story, presented with humor and fun, delivers exciting and unexpected moments.
“The final game will be more difficult,” said producer Akihito Kadowaki.
Onimusha’s journey in a format inspired by shonen anime
The central plot, although straightforward, gains complexity and emotion due to the presence of Musashi’s excellent companions. The protagonist, who resembles Dante from “Devil May Cry” for his humor and excessive self-confidence in sword skills, is constantly confronted by allies such as Okuni, Takamura and Shizuka, who help temper his ego.
Musashi, a samurai devoted to the Way of the Sword and his own strength, suffers a reversal when he is killed by the Genma, the game’s main antagonists. Upon receiving the Oni Gauntlet, which grants immense power, he begins to question and even reject this new source of strength, responsible for his survival.
In this scenario, “Onimusha” reveals influences from shonen anime, with clearly identifiable character archetypes. Musashi embodies the typical egocentric hero who, despite facing defeats, maintains his arrogance until confronted by his friends. Okuni provides the comic relief with a dark secret, Takamura serves as the no-nonsense master, while Shizuka, the main companion residing in the Oni Gauntlet, drives the story and acts as a corrective or supportive voice for the protagonist.
The antagonists also display shonen traits, such as Ganryu, who works as a mirror for Musashi, creating a dynamic of complementary opposites. The Man in White is the true big villain of the adventure.
This approach to shonen anime provides a sense of familiarity and closeness to “Onimusha: Way of the Sword.” The final moments of the game, especially the awakening of Onimusha’s power by Musashi and the endings of the narrative, generate a deep emotion, culminating in tears and goosebumps, at the same time that the combat proves captivating.
Lessons and Depth: The True Power of Unity in Onimusha
As in many shonen animes, “Onimusha: Way of the Sword” is full of impactful phrases, including Takamura’s quote that resonated: “to live is to suffer. You have to love the challenge.”
Based on this maxim, the game explores the complexity of the characters, revealing the futility of Musashi’s arrogance. Similar to anime, the narrative emphasizes that genuine strength lies in collaboration and bonds with companions, something that Musashi experiences up close in the game.
Armed with the powers of the Oni Gauntlet and alongside Shizuka, “Onimusha” acquires characteristics from “God of War” (2018), offering a vast area of exploration. The player can both collect items and delve into secondary stories, which complement, for example, the catalog of the mysterious Lady Murasaki, a writer who joins the team. The game map is well designed and expands as the plot progresses, reminiscent in some aspects of the metroidvania structure.
It is recommended to explore Kyoto and rescue Dama Murasaki’s Kumainu, dogs described as adorable.
Onimusha’s refined and tactical combat system
The gameplay of “Onimusha” has evolved from a simple hack and slash to a more strategic and rhythmic experience, thanks to the introduction of the posture bar and the large reward associated with performing an Issen.
The comparison to FromSoftware’s “Sekiro” is present in combat, where breaking the enemy’s stance for a finishing Issen is often more effective than simply draining their health. This mechanic integrates organically, although direct damage elimination still occurs with some Genma.
The franchise’s trademark Issen is presented in “Way of the Sword” in multiple ways, all of which are visually impressive. This quick, stylized strike elevates the game’s animations, and the RE Engine allows for detailed dismemberment of enemies, a visual feature that, although well used in the remake of “Resident Evil 2”, was less present in other recent engine titles. In boss battles, Issen is crucial, with the option to direct attacks to specific points, such as red areas for more damage or purple areas for more souls.
From the first demos, a common criticism of “Onimusha: Way of the Sword” was the perception of it being overly easy. Even with two difficulty options, the challenge level is considered accessible, with enemies that generally attack individually, which simplifies combat, but without turning the experience into something trivial.
However, the scenario transforms into boss battles. Although exploration is more relaxed, certain confrontations, such as those against Shuten-Doji and the improved Nue (and others not mentioned to avoid spoilers), evoke the feeling of a soulslike game, requiring multiple attempts and resulting in immense satisfaction for FromSoftware fans when delivering the final Issen.
Oni Weapons add diversity to combat, each with a distinct function. With the emphasis on breaking posture, Treme-Terra hammers, for example, were widely used after their unlocking.
“Way of the Sword” offers a combat system familiar to action game enthusiasts, with a well-calibrated challenge and impressive confrontations. Added to this are rewarding exploration, engaging side quests, and a suitable map, resulting in a robust and memorable adventure.
The combination of an engaging narrative, charismatic characters, grand boss battles and exceptional combat consolidates the recipe for a remarkable action game. In this context, “Onimusha: Way of the Sword” stands out by demonstrating impressive mechanics.
Replicating iconic moments from shonen anime, the game portrays the awakening of a hidden power by Musashi in an exciting way, revealing the essence of Oni power. Just as Kratos possesses the Fury of Sparta, Musashi gains a special form that gives him invulnerability and massive damage, complemented by an impressive visual design. These features, added to the fantastic gameplay, confirm Capcom’s commitment to revitalizing the series.
Aspects inherited from the Resident Evil franchise in the new Onimusha
Although “Onimusha” originated as a spin-off of “Resident Evil,” “Way of the Sword” largely strays from survival horror influences. However, it is still possible to notice some traces of the horror series.
Admitting a notable characteristic in “Resident Evil”, the final sequences tend to be somewhat exhausting, and this peculiarity also manifests itself in “Way of the Sword”. The game can seem a little prolonged, and some battles are repeated in the end, which, although not a major defect, lessens the impact of confrontations that were initially epic, making repetition less interesting.
Despite this small slip-up, the concluding area is excellent, and the final battle is even more impressive, providing an impactful conclusion that validates Capcom’s exemplary year in 2026, marked by high-quality releases.
The Conclusion on the Rebirth of Onimusha: Way of the Sword
“Onimusha: Way of the Sword” redeems the series with excellence, delivering diverse gameplay full of mechanics, with boss battles that impress even FromSoftware enthusiasts. The story unfolds like an engaging shonen anime, with Musashi as a charismatic and fun protagonist, accompanied by a cast of equally interesting allies and adversaries, forming one of the best narratives created by Capcom.
