Capcom has plenty of highly successful franchises under its belt, but seeing Miyamoto Musashi again was something I didn’t think I’d see again. It’s been 20 years since a mainline entry in the Onimusha series released, but it feels as though it hasn’t missed a beat. Onimusha: Way of the Sword has some of the most satisfying combat I’ve had the joy of utilising for some time. This is no hack-and-slash game. Nor is it a Soulslike. This is action-adventure at its finest, and there wasn’t a moment where I ever got tired of fighting demons in Edo Period Japan.
After returning to Kyoto to master his swordplay, Musashi is attacked and killed by a gang of demonic warriors known as Genma and killed. He is given another chance of life with one caveat: become one with an Oni Gauntlet. Despite finding air in his lungs once more, Musashi wants nothing to do with this newfound power, but he soon realises its the only way to rid the world of the evil swarming Kyoto. A bond born out of despair, the power of the Oni becomes his greatest tool, leading to methodical combat and tons of possibility.
The opening few hours of cinematics blew me out of the water. It sets the tone for one hell of a story, and despite being a relatively linear game, the scale never shies away from spectacle. I was drawn in by the extravagance of the enemies, specifically the range and variety of bosses. The acting is also stellar, from Musashi, the supporting characters, but also the flamboyancy of the Genma. Onimusha: Way of the Sword continually improves on these set pieces of boss encounters, and when fighting them is sublime, it becomes a powerhouse of the genre.
There are two controller layouts for whether you want an aggressive or defensive approach. There are also two difficulties that can be changed at shrines so that you can have an added difficulty or enjoy the story. Onimusha: Way of the Sword works best when you’re fighting with that added challenge. It is tough, and you will die. However, mastering the nuances of the blade mean each encounter feels completely different. Breaking stamina and taking your time are key, and getting this right makes every victory taste even sweeter than the last.
Capcom has put a lot of stock into making sure you get better over time with opportunities to unlock new skills and powers for your Oni Gauntlet. At its most fundamental, though, this combat is what stands out as its greatest feature. Striking enemies with your sword breaks their stamina, but you can’t simply spam the button. The skill comes in parrying and dodging at the right time, along with making the most of the series’ signature Issen counter mechanic. When all these come together, battles become a dance of death and opportunity.
By hitting the light or heavy attack at the moment and enemy almost hits you, you can slice through them or do serious damage. The same works for dodging, too. A reflex dodge allows you to move out of the way just in time to land a swift attack in response. Using the left shoulder to parry can lead to deflecting attacks and an enemy’s stamina to deplete. These moments are when you can do serious damage. With new abilities being unlocked the more you play, combat evolves while forever being grounded in the fundamentals of striking at the right time.
Blade barrages will happen when you clash blades with an enemy, and hitting the correct attack to counter does damage to your opponent. Blades can also be locked together following an attempted parry, and hitting the attack button can lead to breaking free and landing an important blow. Environments can also be used, whether that’s sending enemies into torches or walls, or using tables and carts to launch into a handful of Genma. You always have options, and seeing them all work in tandem makes Onimusha: Way of the Sword such a stunning game.
Another ace up the sleeve are Oni Armaments. Like previous games, Musashi collects souls after dealing damage and killing Genma. Yellow souls recover health; red souls offer currency to buy items, upgrade equipment, and unlock skills; while blue fuel your Armaments. By pressing the right shoulder when the blue gauge is full, you can unleash a strong attack with the selected Armament. More unlock as you play, but they can do serious damage if used at the right time, and add a touch of flair to the fighting.
The Oni gauntlet opens up more abilities and powers as progression through the story happens. You’ll have to earn these gifts through intense battles, but when unlocked, they become integral to Musashi’s arsenal. Oni Vision lets you see things that aren’t available to see with the common eye; Oni Strength lets you tear through large blockades built with Malice, the corruptive force of the Genma; Oni Agility offers greater movement inside and outside of combat; and the awakening of the the Oni becomes something truly magical to witness.
While Onimusha: Way of the Sword doesn’t have an open world, there are opportunities to explore Kyoto. Hidden areas and small side quests, as well as things known as Oni Portals let you see different aspects of both the living world and the hell that you face. It’s intricately designed to offer a fascinating setting for the brutality and evil Musashi is up against, and it continuously opens up as the game progresses. The safe haven of your temple allows you to interact with friends like Takamura and Okuni, as well as master abilities by ringing the temple’s bell.
Shrines can be found across Kyoto. Here, you can use your red souls to upgrade equipment and unlock new skills; change your appearance with new outfits and cosmetics; travel to other shrines; save your game; and more. Onimusha: Way of the Sword always gives you the support you need, but the challenge is the one thing I thrived upon. There are ways to improve and become more powerful, but if the basics aren’t mastered and respected, the Genma will find a way to kill you every time, especially during the phenomenal boss fights.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword bring the franchise back with aplomb. I was blown away by just how good the combat is. All of the moving parts work exceptionally well together, and waiting for the right time to strike, block, and parry make each encounter special. It’s a visual treat, with a superb cast of characters. Perhaps the thing I loved the most were the boss designs, and how they make Way of the Sword come to life with a humour you don’t expect. Musashi is a superb protagonist, and despite twenty years away, the legendary series hasn’t missed a beat.
