Last updated on October 8, 2026
Capcom is on a serious hot streak. Resident Evil Requiem, Pragmata and Monster Hunter Stories 3 have all landed recently, and now Onimusha: Way of the Sword joins the party. I have wanted this game for a long time, so this Onimusha Way of the Sword review comes from someone who sat down with sky high expectations. I should be upfront: I only watched short clips of the older entries and played the very first Onimusha about ten years ago, so I am coming at this as a curious newcomer rather than a longtime devotee.
Still, it is easy to see that this is a big step for the series. It could win over a whole new crowd and maybe even convince Capcom to dust off other classics.
Why this blade was worth the wait
I love hack and slash action. What I want from the genre is a game that pushes back and keeps me sharp instead of lulling me to sleep, and this one delivers exactly that kind of challenge from the first fight.
Combat that feels like anime come to life
Combat is the star of the show. Do not mistake Onimusha for a Soulslike, even though it shares a few ideas such as healing items and save shrines. It plays much more like a classic action game from the PS3 era, with a clear mission rhythm: pick up a quest, cut through enemies, then take on a boss.
Parrying sits at the heart of everything. It clearly draws inspiration from Sekiro, but it is slower and more tactical, so every block feels like a decision instead of a reflex. Dodging and perfect dodging are available, though they reward you far less, which is why I leaned on parries almost the entire time.
Then there is Issen, the series signature counterattack. Time it right and Musashi unleashes a lightning quick samurai strike that feels incredible. It reminded me of the Omamori system in Silent Hill f, a mechanic that turns a tense moment into a payoff. Enemy variety is a bit thin and fights can repeat, but the bosses make up for it. Each one asks for a different approach, and that is where the combat really sings.
Everything here can kill you
On the visual side, Onimusha looks solid but a little flat, almost like a PS4 game at times. Kyoto reminded me quite a bit of Rise of the Ronin. Even so, I enjoyed the art style more than the look of Pragmata or Resident Evil Requiem, and the temples and bamboo groves create some genuinely lovely scenes.
Feudal Japan is becoming a crowded setting, with Rise of the Ronin, Nioh, Sekiro and now this game all fighting for attention. I still think the genre has plenty of room to grow, and Onimusha proves it by bringing its own flavor.
Sound, voices and the thrill of Issen
The sound design impressed me. Every strike lands with real weight, and the soundtrack suits the mood perfectly. The parry feel even brought Lies of P to mind, which is high praise for the timing and the crunch of each deflected blow.
Landing an Issen gave me enormous satisfaction, even though I died plenty of times while trying to nail the timing. The creatures look good and the acting is strong, although a few English accents, Musashi included, sounded a little off to my ear.
Story and Musashi
Capcom has always been better at gameplay than storytelling, and Onimusha follows that pattern. As someone who has not played the earlier games in full, I found the world a little tricky to settle into at first. The good news is that the game welcomes newcomers, so you will not feel lost.
Musashi is a cocky and playful hero, and his expressive facial animations make the cutscenes fun to watch. The plot itself is simple. Musashi wants to get rid of his Oni glove so he can rely on his own strength instead of borrowed power. It is not deep, but it gets the job done and keeps the action moving.
Final verdict
I spent more than 15 hours with the game and I have not even seen everything it offers, yet it already beat my expectations. Onimusha: Way of the Sword is an excellent action game and a milestone for Capcom. If you love tight, tactical sword combat, this is an easy recommendation.
Final score: 9.8/10
I’m passionate about books and video games. These two great passions represent, for me, a boundless universe where I can “escape” from reality whenever I need or want to. There are so many stories, worlds, and landscapes where I can instantly teleport that I don’t think a whole lifetime would be enough to explore them all (though it would be my greatest dream to be able to).
