Onimusha Way of the Sword Demo – First Impressions and Review
Onimusha Way of the Sword Summary
Onimusha Way of the Sword is an action-adventure game developed by Capcom. Its been least 24 years since the original game released in 2001. Capcom and Netflix did a collaboration with animated series back in November 2 2023. In 2026, The Game Awards 2024 announced a new entry to Onimusha franchise. Myself, last Onimusha game has Dawn of Dreams back on PlayStation 2. Aftermath, we didn’t see another game in the series right before Onimusha Soul and Shadow Team VR. Of Course, Capcom has remastered both first and Samurai’s Destiny in 2018 and 2025.
In 2026, Way of the Sword has arrived and fans of the franchise is happy. I will talk about my history in the end of this post. Onimusha Way of the Sword is about Musashi Miyamoto (named after famous swordsmen) defeating Gemma that plagues Feudal Japan. In the demo, Musashi journey through Kiyomizu-dera Temple to investigate Gemma activate. As Musahi fights through the Gemma horde, he absorbs dark essence and see what happen before Gemma arrived. Later Oni Gauntlet explains to Musashi, what is going on.
While going to the main stage of Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Musashi slashes swords with his rival Ganryu Sasaki and demo ends there. My thoughts on Way of the Sword is combat which you can deflect enemy attacks and dismember them. Musashi can use finishing moves along with chain attack to slash more enemies. Soul absorption is back, for example, yellow (health), red (upgrades) and blue (Oni Armaments which is new to the game) essences. Musashi can use environments to his advantage to defend attack and use them at will.
Thoughts on Gameplay
Note: Onimusha Way of the Sword is not a soulslike game what so ever. Which director Satou Nihei stated in an interview. Although, you have to use your stamina wisely through the game. Way of the Sword offers players to clash with weapons with a tag of war aspect. A refined battle system for modern audience and veterans of the franchise. Musashi has a “Oni Vision” which can see hidden demons in the area, such as one sealing a door and he has to destroy it to advance. You can find loot to use for consumables in your fight against the Gemma. Way of the Sword as beak system called “ISSEN” which cause boss characters and lesser Genma to become stagger in combo.
Spirit Mirrors allows players to restore health and save your progress along with buying items in storefront. In general, I would say the game is very flashy with it battle system along with talking to NPCs. If you’re new the game, tutorial will help you understand battle system better. There is so many battle mechanics out there like grab reversals, parry and evading out of enemy attacks. Musashi can deflect arrow like Jedi master and use sneak attacks as well.
There might be more mechanics as series progress but right now demo showed us a handful of them. Demo introduce photo mode along with map of where to go, if you get lost. Way of the Sword demo is 40 minutes long and you will have to buy full version of the game to experience it. Capcom did amazing job with its core gameplay, making combat more flushed out. It almost like you feel like a real samurai and make you want to play Ghost of Tsushima.
History of Onimusha Series
While getting on the franchise is like welcoming a new child in the world. I am no stranger on Onimusha series. First one that I rented at BlockBuster back in 2000s and haven’t finished it. One time, I remember fighting Marcellus and Guildenstern. Sanosuke Akechi was the first protagonist of Warlords and his quest to defeat Nobunaga Oda, who rules Japan with his Gemma army. Shortly, after, I skipped Samurai’s Destiny and went on to Demon Seige. Demon Siege features French actor Jean Reno (Jacques Blanc) teams up with Sanosuke to defeat Nobunaga again.
I was fascinated with Demon Siege because you play as two protagonists in the main story. Personally, I never heard of Jean Reno until this game, his other roles are Mission Impossible and Le Femme Nikita. Onimusha 3: Demon Siege takes place in Japan and France, which makes the game stand out. I have owned collector edition with artbook and other special features that went with it. Afterwards, transition to Dawn of Dream, which was final Onimusha game I have played. Instead of Sanosuke, there is Soki, who is the a quest to stop Toyotmoi Hideyoshi from conquering Japan with his Gemma army.
Soki is very similar to Sanosuke but can do into Oni mode at a short time. In my opinion, Dawn of Demon is similar to Bleach because characters. I did a video on my social about that, feel free to check it out. That was end of the franchise, but I had played Onimusha Blade Warriors that have 1 and 2 characters along with guest characters from Mega Man franchise. Anyways, that’s a brief history of the franchise that I played throughout the years.
Closing
Capcom is bringing back their old franchises back like Onimusha, I knew they will going to make a new game because 2023 ONA series. I am hoping to experience it went price drops, after playing this series in almost 24 years. Capcom outdone themselves for Pragmata and Resident Evil Reqiuem, highly recommended playing those as well. Its time to slay some Gemma and save Japan. Onimusha Way of the Sword is set to release on September 25, 2026. Also, Way of the Sword available on Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation and Xbox.
What is your thoughts on the demo and franchise? Let me know in the comment below and thank you for reading this blogpost. Stay tune for the next one from yours truly.
Anjim Plays is a award-winning streamer from Washington DC, who is a advocate of blerd and gaming culture. I am willing to help others and work with brands.
