After nearly two decades away, the Onimusha series finally returns with a brand-new mainline adventure.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword puts players in the role of the legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi, taking them to an alternate version of Edo-period Kyoto filled with supernatural threats and mysterious forces.

Developed and published by Capcom, the game combines traditional samurai action with supernatural elements, cinematic presentation and modern combat mechanics.

The result is a game that clearly remembers what made the original Onimusha games special while attempting to bring the formula into a modern action-adventure experience.

Gameplay

The heart of Onimusha: Way of the Sword is its combat.

Rather than relying purely on fast attacks, the game places considerable importance on timing, positioning and reacting to enemy attacks.

Parrying and the game’s signature Issen technique make encounters feel particularly rewarding when the player successfully recognizes an opening and responds at the right moment.

The combat can become demanding, especially during some of the game’s more challenging encounters.

This creates a strong rhythm where battles are less about constantly attacking and more about understanding what an opponent is doing.

The game also introduces supernatural abilities that give Musashi additional options during both combat and exploration.

These abilities help prevent the experience from becoming a simple sequence of sword fights and provide some variety as the adventure progresses.

Story

The story follows Miyamoto Musashi, who finds himself caught in a supernatural conflict involving the monstrous Genma.

The game takes place in Kyoto during the early Edo period, but this is very much a fantasy interpretation of the historical setting.

One of the most notable aspects of the presentation is Musashi’s likeness to legendary Japanese actor Toshiro Mifune.

This gives the protagonist a distinctive cinematic presence and reinforces the game’s connection to classic Japanese samurai cinema.

As Musashi progresses through Kyoto, the story combines historical references with supernatural events, creating an atmosphere that feels very different from a conventional historical action game.

The narrative also gives Musashi a more personal journey, gradually exploring his reasons for fighting and what kind of warrior he wants to become.

Exploration

Kyoto provides the main setting for the adventure, with different areas offering opportunities to explore, fight enemies and discover additional content.

The environments are visually impressive and make good use of the game’s darker interpretation of the historical city.

Exploration is also connected to Musashi’s supernatural abilities.

Certain powers can be used to reach areas that would otherwise be inaccessible, giving exploration a stronger connection to character progression.

However, the game’s larger environments do not always feel as meaningful as its combat encounters.

Some areas can feel more like connective spaces between the game’s major battles and story sequences.

Combat

Combat is easily one of the game’s most important systems.

The emphasis on timing makes individual encounters feel more deliberate than a traditional hack-and-slash system.

Parrying an incoming attack and immediately responding with a precise counter can create some of the game’s most satisfying moments.

Boss encounters take this idea even further.

Several bosses require players to learn attack patterns and recognize openings rather than simply overwhelming them with attacks.

This can lead to intense battles where understanding an opponent becomes more important than simply having better equipment.

At the same time, enemy variety can become repetitive during longer sections of the campaign, something also noted by several reviews.

Boss Battles

Boss battles are among the strongest parts of Way of the Sword.

They provide some of the game’s most memorable encounters and give the combat system room to shine.

The best fights force players to pay attention to timing, movement and attack patterns.

When everything comes together, the battles feel cinematic without taking control away from the player.

This is particularly effective because the game doesn’t completely separate spectacle from gameplay.

The player is still actively responsible for surviving and responding to the enemy while the presentation creates a dramatic samurai atmosphere.

Graphics

Onimusha: Way of the Sword uses Capcom’s RE Engine, and the visual results are impressive.

Character models, environments and cinematic sequences give the game a polished modern appearance while retaining the dark atmosphere associated with the franchise.

Kyoto is particularly effective as a setting.

The combination of traditional Japanese architecture, supernatural elements and dramatic lighting creates a distinctive visual identity.

Musashi’s design also benefits from the game’s use of Toshiro Mifune’s likeness, helping the protagonist stand out from other modern samurai characters.

Audio

The audio presentation complements the cinematic direction.

Sword clashes, environmental sounds and the game’s soundtrack help establish the atmosphere of a supernatural samurai adventure.

The Japanese setting is also reflected in the game’s overall presentation, reinforcing the feeling that this is a modern interpretation of a classic samurai story.

Players can choose from multiple voice languages, including Japanese, English and Brazilian Portuguese.

Performance

The game benefits from Capcom’s RE Engine and delivers a polished presentation across its supported platforms.

The PS5 version also supports enhanced features such as DualSense functionality and PS5 Pro enhancements.

The overall presentation is particularly impressive during combat and major cinematic sequences, where character animations and environmental details help create the game’s dramatic atmosphere.

Playtime

Onimusha: Way of the Sword is not an enormous open-world RPG.

The main story takes roughly 20 hours, while players who spend more time exploring and completing additional content can expect a longer experience.

This relatively focused structure works well for players who prefer action games that maintain a clear sense of progression without requiring dozens upon dozens of hours to complete the main adventure.

Additional challenges and replay options provide reasons to return after finishing the story.