GoKawiilCapcom's Onimusha: Way of the Sword revives series with Soulslike-style swordplay
Capcom's long-dormant Onimusha franchise returns after nearly two decades with Way of the Sword, casting players as a young, brash version of swordsman Miyamoto Musashi who is killed and resurrected by the series' signature Oni gauntlet to fight a demon invasion. The game blends its classic mythic samurai setting with precision-timed, parry-based combat reminiscent of modern Soulslike titles like Elden Ring.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The release lands amid a wave of feudal-Japan-set games such as Sekiro, Ghost of Yotei, and Assassin's Creed: Shadows, showing publishers betting on that setting's enduring appeal. Reviewers note the combat is satisfying early on but grows repetitive over a long campaign, suggesting Capcom's revival succeeds tonally but struggles to sustain its mechanics across the full game.
- Onimusha returns after nearly 20 years with a new entry blending arcade roots and Soulslike combat.
- Players control a young, arrogant Miyamoto Musashi resurrected via the series' Oni gauntlet.
- Combat feels crisp early on but becomes repetitive due to recycled enemies and uneven boss design.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (PlayStation) — If Onimusha: Way of the Sword's parry-heavy feudal Japan swordplay has your attention, Sekiro is the game that defined the style. Its deflect-and-counter combat and demon-haunted Sengoku setting make it the perfect companion play while you wait.
See Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (PlayStation) on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: cnet.com — David Lumb, 2026-08-31
Published there as: “Onimusha: Way of the Sword’s Crisp Combat Fits in the Soulslike Era, but Novelty Wanes Over Endless Fights”
Read the original report → The summary and analysis above are GoKawiil's own, written from reporting by the source above. Facts and quotes belong to the original publisher.