Capcom, a renowned Japanese video game developer and publisher, consistently delivers winning titles, both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, from their established series. They also breathe new life into older franchises. This trend appears to continue with Onimusha: Way of the Sword, an action-adventure game slated for release next year.
At Summer Game Fest 2025, I was fortunate enough to witness a theater demonstration spanning over twenty minutes, showcasing gameplay for Onimusha: Way of the Sword. Following this, I had an opportunity to converse with directors Satoru Nihei and Akihito Kadowaki, facilitated through a translator’s assistance.
In a span of two decades, Onimusha: Way of the Sword marks the debut of a brand-new installment in the Onimusha series, an event that, according to its creator, is due to several contributing elements.
He emphasizes that success often lies in connecting with the appropriate individuals. However, he acknowledges that this can prove challenging given the numerous tasks Capcom is currently handling simultaneously. Notably, work on this specific game commenced when the Onimusha team assembled in the year 2020.
In “Way of the Sword,” players assume the role of Miyamoto Musashi, a unique samurai who isn’t your everyday warrior. He wields an Oni Gauntlet, a powerful artifact imbued with mystical abilities. This gauntlet allows him to absorb the spirits of his vanquished adversaries, enhancing his strength and bestowing upon him extraordinary skills.
Despite his reservations, Musashi isn’t entirely content with the current situation, as he yearns to demonstrate his power in conventional ways. He’s hesitant about employing the Gauntlet’s power, but circumstances compel him to leverage his abilities to confront the Genma, nightmarish entities threatening to breach our world.
These monstrous adversaries indiscriminately massacre defenseless villagers with brutal ferocity, wreaking havoc on Kyoto’s populace, particularly around the famous Kiyomizu-dera temple.
As I observe Musashi engage in combat against these invaders, his actions are swift and meticulous, with a keen eye for detail in the animations as he wields his sword to cleave through enemy ranks.
His strikes are merciless, severing limbs or completely decapitating foes, a detail Kadowaki mentions that the team put considerable effort into using with their proprietary RE Engine.
“In the development of Onimusha,” he explains, “the team was focusing on creating a dismemberment system for the enemies.” He further notes that having an active dismemberment system in place will enhance the combat experience for players, making it more gratifying.
After foes are defeated in battle, their spirits remain on the field and can be gathered by Musashi with the Oni Gauntlet. This process must be done individually since the spirits don’t last forever; they gradually vanish or get absorbed by other enemies if players delay too much. Nihei thinks this feature distinguishes Onimusha from other action games.
1. In the game, Musashi has hidden tactics and can swiftly divert adversaries into their surroundings, causing enemies to collide with objects like fires or tables for his benefit.
2. During the course of the gameplay, a hovering Genma accumulates the spirits of slain opponents nearby, boosting its power and learning deadly new abilities. Musashi is adept at deflecting enemy ranged attacks, which is crucial for staggering certain foes.
3. As the story unfolds, Musashi advances to the temple where the Oni Gauntlet communicates with him, delivering a somewhat sassy dialogue about his next move.
4. In an interview, Nihei explains that this interaction between Musashi and the gauntlet is significant for the development team as it offers additional information about the game world and Musashi’s journey. Furthermore, it allows them to expand the narrative substantially.
In the heart of Kyoto, Japan, steeped in ancient tales and shrouded mysteries, the developers sought to blend beauty with darkness. Nihei explains, “Kyoto is an old city filled with legends and folklore. Every corner whispers tales of the macabre and the supernatural.”
Delighting in this intriguing juxtaposition, they aimed to contrast the pristine image of Kiyomizu-dera temple with these haunting fantasies.
Within the sanctum of the temple, Musashi encounters Ganryu, a formidable adversary wielding an Oni Gauntlet similar to his own. Unperturbed by the gravity of their conflict, Ganryu releases the gauntlet’s destructive power, launching relentless attacks that force Musashi on the defensive.
Ganryu’s assaults leave a trail of wreckage in their wake, yet he laughs maniacally, seemingly unfazed. However, despite his best efforts, Musashi ultimately emerges victorious. I fear that Ganryu may not have been vanquished permanently.
Although Onimusha: Way of the Sword won’t be released on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, Kadowaki explains that there isn’t one specific reason for this, but rather the game is adapted to utilize the capabilities of the latest console hardware. For instance, if a battle scene involving ten enemies surrounding Musashi would work on the PlayStation 5, it might need to be scaled down if designed for the PlayStation 4.
Towards the end of the presentation, I witnessed another boss fight featuring Musashi battling a massive creature named Byakue that emerged from a wound in reality. During this confrontation, I observed that while Musashi’s swift and graceful movements remained, there was a deliberate design choice when their attacks clashed in a parry, as Musashi appeared to strain under the pressure before pushing the monster back. When I queried the developers about this, Nihei confirmed it was an intentional decision.
One key aspect the team worked hard on for the game is making the reactions of the bigger enemies more believable and realistic, rather than having Musashi respond in the same way he does against regular-sized foes. Nihei explains that this adds a unique feeling to the game, differentiating it from other games in the genre by giving everything an appropriate weight and sense of danger.
The brutal combat and dark tone have left me impressed with what I’ve seen so far, and I eagerly await playing the game next year. To wrap up my questions for Nihei, I asked him to share some insights about Onimusha: Way of the Sword, especially for those who are either longtime fans or newcomers to the series. He emphasizes that the game is deeply rooted in dark fantasy elements and will feature a rich cast of characters with distinct personalities, which he believes players will greatly enjoy.
It’s been announced that Onimusha: Way of the Sword will be released for Xbox Series X|S, Steam for Windows PC, and PlayStation 5 at an unspecified date in 2026.
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2025-06-22 13:09