Onimusha: Way of the Sword

Onimusha: Way of the Sword is an upcoming action-adventure game developed and published by Capcom, marking the first mainline entry in the Onimusha series since Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams in 2006. The game was officially announced at The Game Awards 2024 on December 13, 2024, and is scheduled for release on September 25, 2026. It will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Microsoft Windows (via Steam and Epic Games), and Nintendo Switch 2.

Set in Kyoto during the early Edo period, the story follows the legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi, who gains the power of the Oni to battle the monstrous Genma that have overrun the historic city. Musashi's character model is based on the iconic Japanese actor Toshiro Mifune. The narrative weaves together Kyoto's rich folklore and eerie legends, creating a fusion of folklore and fantasy. A key location is Mount Oe, where the demon Shuten Doji uses his stronghold to perpetrate heinous acts.

The game is powered by Capcom's RE Engine, which provides detailed character animations and impressive environmental visuals. Director Satoru Nihei stated that the team's vision for the game would only have been possible with current technology. The game is strictly single-player and carries a PEGI 18 rating. [edit]

Onimusha: Way of the Sword is played from a third-person perspective with a deliberate combat system that requires careful observation of opponents. The protagonist, Miyamoto Musashi, wields a sword capable of striking enemies, parrying attacks, and deflecting projectiles. A prolonged parry allows Musashi to steer enemies, causing them to fall in a specific direction. The guard stance blocks attacks from all directions.

The game features a unique stamina system: dodging and attacking do not consume stamina, but stamina is depleted when Musashi is hit or fully blocks attacks. Lower stamina increases damage taken, making defense a tactical decision. By depleting an opponent's stamina through strikes and parries, players can execute a Break Issen — an instant execution by dismemberment. The returning Issen counter requires attacking just before an opponent's attack lands, providing a high-risk, high-reward system. Perfectly timed dodges trigger a Reflex Dodge, granting a counter opportunity.

Classic Onimusha mechanics return, including soul absorption from defeated enemies and a downward thrust that plants the blade into fallen enemies under certain conditions. Musashi gains Oni powers that manifest in special demonic weapons piercing the veil between realms. The game includes a guidance system with a shiny ball of light directing players toward objectives for those who prefer not to explore. The Nintendo Switch 2 version offers exclusive motion controls using Joy-Con 2, including one-handed and two-handed attacks, Oni Bow aiming, and Oni Strength: Destroy. [edit]

In Kyoto during the early Edo period, the legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi gains the power of the Oni to battle the monstrous Genma that have overrun the historic city. Musashi is accompanied by Shizuka, a voice he hears through his gauntlet who guides him. The narrative weaves together Kyoto's rich folklore and eerie legends, creating a fusion of folklore and fantasy. Director Satoru Nihei noted that even the Japanese development team discovered myths they had never heard before, suggesting deep research into Kyoto's cultural history.

A key location is Mount Oe, a famous Kyoto site where vast natural landscapes intertwine with history and legend. The demon Shuten Doji uses this mountain as his stronghold to perpetrate heinous acts. The demo mission Careful What You Wish For takes place at Yasui Konpiragu Shrine, which has been overrun by Malice and a Genma who grants twisted wishes — removing eyes from a woman who envied what she saw, removing a knee from a man with knee pain, and transforming lovers into living dolls who remain happy. Unlike previous Onimusha games that included science-fiction elements, Nihei indicated players should not expect robots, instead encouraging attention to Kyoto itself. [edit]