Capcom has had an incredible 2026 so far, with the releases of the fantastic “Resident Evil Requiem,” “Pragmata,” and “Monster Hunter Stories 3.” Rounding out the year is “Onimusha: Way of the Sword.”
It’s the latest mainline entry in the series after a staggering 20-year hiatus, the last one being 2006’s “Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams” all the way back on the PlayStation 2. Since then there have been a few spin-offs and remasters of older titles, but fans were itching for a new “Onimusha,” one built for the modern age.
That’s exactly what we got with “Onimusha: Way of the Sword.” It has a heartfelt story, charming characters, surprisingly manageable sandbox, and excellent combat. Although the pacing suffers a bit and feels drawn-out due to an overabundance of mini-boss battles, “Way of the Sword” is the triumphant resurgence that the series needed.
You play as Miyamoto Musashi (whose likeness is borrowed from the legendary Japanese actor Toshiro Mifune) journey to become the strongest samurai around. After stumbling across demonic monsters called Genma and getting himself killed, he’s granted an Oni gauntlet during his brief trip to hell, gets resurrected and gains tremendous Oni-like powers.
With these newfound abilities, he vows to rid Kyoto of the infectious malice that’s driving its citizens mad. It’s a strong setup that paves the way for an emotional ending, and that’s mainly thanks to his equally compelling comrades and adversaries.
His rival, Ganryu Sasaki, was also killed and given a gauntlet. But he chooses to devour human souls instead of Genma ones like Musashi, showing the stark contrast between both their humanities. Despite being a serious samurai, Musashi also has his clumsy side, occasionally tripping over himself. Shizuka, the Oni living inside his gauntlet, is a fun companion who banters with him too. These moments add smart moments of humor to an otherwise dark tale.
As you continue through the story and purify more regions of Kyoto from the foggy malice, the area opens up, allowing Musashi to explore more of it. It’s reminiscent of Kamurocho from the “Yakuza/Like a Dragon” games. It’s a sandbox with virtually no loading screens that you can seamlessly roam around in and is unexpectedly dense and lively. It’s a welcome change of pace from needlessly bloated open-worlds like feudal Japan in “Assassin’s Creed: Shadows.”
The real-time combat is a treat, as it’s weighty and meticulous, veering on the edge of a Soulslike while having plenty of cinematic flair. When you hit enemies, different colored soul orbs fly out of them, and Musashi can use his gauntlet to absorb them to help in battle. For example, red orbs give him points to unlock new skills, while yellow orbs replenish his health aside from using healing items. There’s a delicate balance between attacking your opponent and stopping momentarily to absorb the souls.
Musashi can parry, block, and dodge attacks. While these mechanics aren’t revolutionary by themselves, it’s the way that they reward you that feels so gratifying. Parrying builds up your Blaze meter, and when full, Musashi’s sword erupts in blue flame. His regular attacks then deal extra damage and increase the chance for blue soul orbs to drop, which when absorbed, in turn builds up the Oni Armament meter, allowing you to unleash devastating Oni-fueled attacks. Every gameplay mechanic cleverly feeds into each other, resulting in combat feeling like a synergistic bloody dance.
Boss fights are exhilarating too, whether it’s the lightning beast Nue or intimidating multi-armed Rasho-Gan, they have unique attack patterns to learn in order to deflect or dodge them. Some can be frustratingly difficult sometimes, but once you have the rhythm down, the victory becomes all the sweeter. However, “Way of the Sword” relies too heavily on certain Genma mini-bosses that appear when Musashi attempts to close demonic rifts around Kyoto. It drags the story out unnecessarily and gets repetitive after a while.
Outside of the main story, though, you can tackle side quests from locals called Curious Cases. Not only do you learn more about ancient Japanese mythology and its different creatures, but you’re incentivized as they provide helpful materials to augment Musashi’s equipment. While Curious Cases basically just end with killing a group of Genma, they don’t overstay their welcome, and the rewards are still worth completing them for.
“Onimusha: Way of the Sword” is a fantastic action game that continues Capcom’s impressive stride. The scope of it all is impressively restrained. The story, characters, and world all feel grounded, but the apocalyptic stakes simultaneously make them feel grander. Thankfully, the reins were unleashed when it came to the combat, which is one of the most satisfying this year.
September is a wildly busy month for new and exciting game releases, even before “Grand Theft Auto VI” arrives in November. Be sure to make time for “Onimusha: Way of the Sword.”
Capcom provided a review copy of this title. It will be released for PS5, Windows, Nintendo Switch 2, and Xbox Series X/S on September 4, 2026.
