Onimusha: Way of the Sword

Presentation

Onimusha: Way of the Sword is a sword-based action game that marks the return of the series with a new adventure set in Kyoto at the beginning of the Edo period.

The player takes the role of Miyamoto Musashi, a young samurai who comes to the capital to prove that he can reach the peak of his art through his own mastery of the sword. His journey changes when Kyoto is invaded by the Genma, supernatural creatures drawn into the world of the living by a mysterious Malice.

Musashi then becomes bound to an Oni Gauntlet, an artifact capable of absorbing Genma souls and granting him supernatural powers. He initially rejects this assistance, preferring to rely on his own technique, but his relationship with these powers gradually evolves throughout the adventure.

Combat is built around close-range encounters where reading the enemy's rhythm plays a central role. Musashi has light and heavy attacks, but defensive systems are just as important.

A well-timed parry can open an opponent to a counterattack, while deflection heavily reduces their stamina gauge. Once depleted, the enemy becomes vulnerable to a powerful Break Issen.

Issen, a historic mechanic of the series, requires attacking at the precise moment an enemy strikes. More difficult to execute, it rewards timing with an especially devastating attack.

Battles therefore revolve around a balance between direct offense, defense, positioning and stamina management. Musashi has a similar gauge himself: if he completely drains it, he becomes temporarily vulnerable.

Souls absorbed with the Oni Gauntlet also fuel several abilities. They can notably be used to trigger Oni Armaments, improve equipment and unlock new skills.

Musashi gradually develops other Oni powers. Oni Strength allows him to break certain defenses and obstacles, while Oni Agility improves movement and notably allows him to run across certain walls.

The Oni Bow also introduces ranged attacks. It can be used against archers, during certain battles or to solve environmental situations that require hitting distant mechanisms.

Kyoto gradually opens up as Musashi eliminates sources of corruption. Some areas are initially blocked by demonic structures or toxic fog, then become accessible after rifts are sealed and new abilities are acquired.

The Rokudo Chinno-ji temple notably serves as a base of operations, while real locations such as Kiyomizu-dera are reimagined within this dark fantasy version of the capital.

Key points

• A new main entry in the Onimusha series.
• Miyamoto Musashi as the protagonist.
• An adventure set in Kyoto at the beginning of the Edo period.
• A capital corrupted by Malice.
• The Genma return as the main enemy creatures.
• The Oni Gauntlet can absorb souls.
• Combat focused on sword mastery and timing.
• Parry, deflection and Issen offer three different defensive approaches.
• The stamina gauge can be used to break enemy defenses.
• Break Issen rewards fully depleting that stamina.
• Souls are used to improve equipment and unlock abilities.
• Oni Armaments provide powerful supernatural attacks.
• Oni Strength and Oni Agility expand both combat and exploration.
• The Oni Bow provides a ranged option.
• Kyoto gradually opens up as the corruption is pushed back.

Conclusion

Onimusha: Way of the Sword returns to the historical foundations of the series while deepening its sword combat around timing, defense and stamina breaking.

Parries, deflections and Issen provide several ways to regain the advantage, while the Oni Gauntlet gradually adds powers capable of changing both combat and exploration.

Musashi's journey mirrors this mechanical evolution: he comes to Kyoto determined to prove his worth without outside help, but gradually has to come to terms with a supernatural power he initially refused to accept.

Good to know

Onimusha: Way of the Sword is developed and published by Capcom.

The game was released on September 4, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. The Steam version became available from September 3 depending on time zone.

It is a single-player experience.

The game takes place in a dark fantasy version of Kyoto at the beginning of the Edo period, incorporating several real-world locations into the adventure.

The protagonist is Miyamoto Musashi, voiced in Japanese by Kenichiro Thomson. His face is based on Toshiro Mifune, the iconic samurai film actor.

Sasaki Ganryu notably appears as Musashi's rival and also possesses an Oni Gauntlet.

The game retains Issen, one of the series' signature attacks, while expanding its combat system with parry, deflection, stamina, Break Issen and various Oni powers.

Souls collected from the Genma allow Musashi and his equipment to grow stronger throughout the adventure.

The game also features several areas that are more open than its early linear sequences, but it is not built as a fully open-world game.

This entry focuses on the main campaign, Miyamoto Musashi, Kyoto, the Oni Gauntlet and the core combat and progression systems of Onimusha: Way of the Sword, without detailing every boss, equipment piece or edition-specific content.