Capcom finally brought *Onimusha* back with *Way of the Sword*, ending a nearly two-decade drought since *Dawn of Dreams* hit way back in 2006! This isn’t just some quick cash grab, either. This is a beloved series re-emerging with some serious new swagger, jumping back into an action-adventure genre that’s seen a ton of heavyweights come and go. Don’t expect the same old thing, because *Way of the Sword* is coming hard with open-ended missions and legit buildcrafting through skill trees.
This Game Looks and Plays Like Next-Gen Fire
Seriously, the visuals on this thing are insane. A demonic-feeling Kyoto looks as compelling as it sounds, and it’s not just a fancy coat of paint. We’re talking next-generation tech doing some wild stuff with a serious fantasy element. You’ll see giant floating rock structures in the distance, get hit with jump scares from different enemies, and just soak in all these creative eye-catching liberties. The gnarly detail in combat and stellar sound effects? Chef’s kiss. But the real showstopper has to be those towering boss battles. They’re rendered in all their detailed glory, and yeah, it’s a massive upgrade from the fixed camera angles of the past.
But how does it *play*? *Way of the Sword* throws in a wild “steering” mechanic that really sets it apart. Land a longer, successful parry, and you can actually “steer” an opponent, using their own momentum against them! Break their stamina and it’s a swift, instant kill with a “Break Issen.” Plus, you can absolutely use the environment to your advantage, whether it’s taking cover or dropping stuff right on enemies’ heads. It’s got that classic PlayStation 2 era goodness too, with yellow (health), red (currency), and blue (Oni Armaments for special weapons) souls to collect. That blue one? That’s where the big damage lives, baby.
The Grind Is Real, But Can It Keep You Hooked?
Here’s where it gets a little tricky. While the boss battles are epic and the steering mechanic is brilliant, the general combat options are pretty basic. You might find yourself inputting the same button prompts on autopilot because it can feel a bit repetitive and, honestly, easy. This didn’t need to be a full-on Soulslike, but the repeating enemies sometimes just don’t feel all that aggressive. You’ll also notice pretty linear pathing and some findable events out in the world that actually repeat themselves, so don’t expect a ton of sprawling exploration.
Yet, the story and progression bring some serious depth. You’re following Miyamoto Musashi on this quest with a special gauntlet, slaying demons and chasing greatness. It’s got a very manga-like vibe in the early hours, and the big rival plus other characters make the story beats super memorable. The world itself is totally immersive too, pushing forward with different biomes that do some heavy environmental storytelling. And the progression? It takes a page from titles like *God of War*, going massive on the skill trees. You’ll use currencies for items and weapon upgrades, and Power Stones for unlocking skills on those trees.
This game is a seriously compelling return for *Onimusha*. It pushes boundaries in some key areas, especially with that steering mechanic. Is it perfect? Nah, but it’s a hell of a ride. If you’re looking for a fresh take on samurai action, you’ve gotta check out *Way of the Sword* and see how this series is tackling its new path!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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