Onimusha: Warlords

Presentation

Onimusha: Warlords is the remastered version of the action-adventure game originally released for PlayStation 2 in 2001. Capcom preserves the structure and mechanics of the original while improving its presentation and controls.

The adventure follows Samanosuke Akechi, a samurai called for help by Princess Yuki after a series of disturbing events around Inabayama Castle. Upon arriving, he discovers that the princess has been abducted by the Genma, demonic creatures involved in a plot connected to Nobunaga Oda.

Samanosuke quickly receives an Oni Gauntlet capable of absorbing souls released by defeated enemies. These souls serve several purposes and form one of the main progression systems.

Red souls are notably used to improve weapons and certain pieces of equipment, while others restore health or magical energy.

Combat mainly revolves around swordplay, guarding and positioning. Precise timing can also trigger especially powerful counterattacks, foreshadowing the Issen system that would later become one of the series' signature mechanics.

Samanosuke gradually obtains several elemental weapons, each with its own attacks and magical abilities. Upgrading them increases their power and also contributes to progression through certain areas.

The adventure is not limited to combat. The castle and its surroundings require players to explore interconnected rooms, solve puzzles, find keys and use different items to open new paths.

Certain sequences also allow players to control Kaede. Faster and without the Oni Gauntlet, she uses her own weapons and provides a different approach during several sections of the story.

The camera remains fixed, as in the original version, with angles designed to stage the environments and preserve the visual identity of the 2001 game.

The remaster nevertheless adds modernized analog controls, allowing Samanosuke and Kaede to be moved more directly. The classic control scheme remains available for players who want to recreate the original handling.

Key points

• The remaster of the first Onimusha, originally released in 2001.
• Samanosuke Akechi as the main protagonist.
• Kaede also appears as a playable character.
• An adventure set in feudal Japan.
• Princess Yuki is abducted by the Genma.
• Nobunaga Oda plays a central role in the demonic plot.
• The Oni Gauntlet allows enemy souls to be absorbed.
• Souls are notably used to restore resources and improve equipment.
• Several elemental weapons have their own abilities.
• Combat built around sword attacks, guarding and timing.
• Exploration, keys and puzzles accompany the battles.
• The original fixed camera is retained.
• The remaster features HD graphics and 16:9 widescreen support.
• Modernized analog controls complement the classic handling.

Conclusion

Onimusha: Warlords deliberately preserves the foundations of the 2001 game: fixed camera angles, exploration of interconnected locations, puzzles and sword combat remain at the heart of the experience.

The Oni Gauntlet and soul absorption also give combat a progression element, while the different elemental weapons gradually expand Samanosuke's abilities.

The remaster mainly modernizes access to this formula through high-definition graphics, widescreen presentation and analog controls, without transforming the original game into a remake.

Good to know

Onimusha: Warlords is developed and published by Capcom.

The original game was released in 2001 for PlayStation 2 and is the first entry in the Onimusha series.

This remastered version was released on January 15, 2019 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC.

It remains a single-player experience.

The remaster features high-definition graphics and allows players to choose between the original 4:3 presentation and 16:9 widescreen.

In widescreen mode, the camera can scroll slightly during certain scenes to show more of the environment while keeping the fixed-angle design.

Analog controls allow direct movement with the stick, while the classic movement system remains available.

Easy Mode is available from the beginning, whereas it originally had to be unlocked under certain conditions.

The music was also re-recorded and replaced with a new soundtrack for this edition.

The face and voice of Samanosuke Akechi are based on actor Takeshi Kaneshiro, as in the original game.

Since 2025, the title has also been available in an Onimusha 1+2 bundle alongside the remaster of Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny.

This entry focuses on the 2019 remaster, Samanosuke, Kaede, the Oni Gauntlet, combat, exploration and the main improvements introduced in this edition, without separately covering the other versions of the original game.