After nearly two decades away, Onimusha: Way of the Sword brings Capcom’s classic samurai series back in a big way. The new game does more than revive an old name. It creates a fresh experience with fast combat, difficult enemies, memorable boss fights, and a dark fantasy story.
After around 30 hours of gameplay, it is easy to see why Onimusha: Way of the Sword stands out as one of the best action games of the year. It can be challenging, but the reward for learning its combat system makes the effort worthwhile.
A New Beginning for Onimusha
The game introduces Miyamoto Musashi as its new main character. He is based on the famous Japanese swordsman and is modeled after legendary actor Toshiro Mifune.
Musashi starts his journey as a traveling swordsman who searches for powerful opponents. His confident personality hides a softer side, and his relationship with his rival Goryu becomes an important part of the story.
Things quickly take a dark turn when the two encounter powerful monsters that cannot be defeated with normal weapons. Musashi eventually receives the Oni Gauntlet, a mysterious weapon that gives him the power to fight demons.
From there, his journey takes him through the ruins of Kyoto and into a much larger battle between supernatural forces. The story is familiar in some ways, but the strong characters and mix of horror and fantasy make it enjoyable from beginning to end.
Combat Is the Biggest Strength
The biggest reason to play Onimusha: Way of the Sword is its combat. The basic controls are easy to understand, but mastering them takes time.
Musashi mainly uses a sword and bow. Battles focus heavily on blocking, parrying, stamina management, and finding the right moment to attack. Even ordinary enemies can defeat Musashi if players become careless.
The game has some similarities to Soulslike games because of its difficulty, but it is more forgiving. Death usually sends Musashi back to the start of an encounter or the nearest shrine. On normal difficulty, players also do not lose their collected souls.
| Feature | Onimusha: Way of the Sword | Traditional Soulslike |
|---|---|---|
| Combat | Fast sword-focused combat | Methodical combat |
| Difficulty | Challenging but forgiving | Often very punishing |
| Progression | Gear and skill upgrades | Character level and gear |
| Death penalty | Relatively light | Often significant |
| Main focus | Samurai action and boss battles | Combat and exploration |
A World Worth Exploring
The game features large areas connected through a semi-open world. Kyoto acts as a major hub, while new locations become available as Musashi gains more abilities.
Players can also find smaller missions, hidden items, mini-bosses, and other activities while exploring. Some side quests can feel repetitive, but the world itself remains interesting enough to encourage exploration.
The level design becomes more impressive as the story progresses. Large areas, enemy ambushes, demon portals, and detailed environments create a strong sense of adventure.
Boss Battles Make Every Fight Matter
Boss battles are another major highlight. The game features more than a dozen major bosses, and many of them require different strategies.
Some bosses can be frustrating, especially when their attacks are difficult to read. However, learning their patterns and finally defeating them creates some of the most satisfying moments in the game.
The combat becomes especially rewarding when players stop rushing and start reacting carefully. Once blocking and parrying become natural, battles can feel almost like a carefully choreographed sword fight.
Final Verdict
Onimusha: Way of the Sword is a remarkable comeback for a series many players thought had been forgotten. It combines stylish samurai action with fantasy horror, strong level design, memorable characters, and excellent combat.
It is not perfect. A few boss fights can be frustrating, and some side missions feel like simple busywork. Still, these problems are small compared with what the game does right.
For fans of action games, samurai stories, and challenging combat, Onimusha: Way of the Sword is an easy recommendation. Capcom has not simply brought Onimusha back—it has given the series a strong new future.
