Onimusha: Way of the Swordisa third-person action-adventure game developed by Capcom. Twenty years on, we’ve finally been treated to a brand-new adventure set in the Onimusha universe. This time, the story centres on the swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, who’s had enough of it all but still has to save Japan from demonic creatures. The game’s main draw is its thrilling gameplay, where you have to hack away at giant monsters using a katana and a variety of combos. And for those who’ve been missing that Japanese flavour in games, Way of the Sword is definitely one to keep an eye on. The ggeditorial team couldn’t pass up this new Asian adventure and, having armed themselves, set out to slice everything in sight to shreds.
Synopsis
A supernatural force has unleashed demonic creatures. The swordsman Miyamoto Musashi is slain by them, but is later resurrected thanks to the mysterious Oni gauntlet, which binds his soul to the mortal world. Forced to serve as the gauntlet’s bearer, the warrior must track down the source of this power whilst annihilating hordes of enemies. At the same time, he must find the answer to why he, of all people, was chosen.
5 reasons to buy Onimusha: Way of the Sword
- You’ve been missing katana-based games
- Another brilliant game from Capcom
- You want to take on demons, but you don’t want it to be a Souls-like
- The protagonist isn’t a noble samurai, but a grumpy bloke
- A rich game world with constantly shifting dynamics
2 reasons to give Onimusha: Way of the Sword a miss
- You’ve already bought Control Resonant or Marvel’s Wolverine
- Swinging a katana isn’t your thing
Quick overview:
- Story: a weary samurai saves the day
- Gameplay: Slash, explore and have fun
- How well is Japan optimised?
- What makes Onimusha: Way of the Sword memorable
- Five things you need to know about Onimusha: Way of the Sword
Plot: a weary samurai saves the day
Onimusha: Way of the Sword plunges players into the gloomy fantasy world of early Edo-period Kyoto, where the samurai Miyamoto Musashi dies but is resurrected thanks to the cursed Oni gauntlet. Bound to the mortal world by this supernatural artefact, Musashi discovers that a destructive force known as Malice has infiltrated the city, corrupting its inhabitants and unleashing hordes of demonic genma onto the streets. And whilst he is not particularly fanatical about it, Musashi has no choice but to hunt down the source of Malice.
We’ll have to seek answers to our questions and understand what this world is trying to tell us. Illustration: Gagadget
Musashi is portrayed not as a flawless hero, but as a weary warrior battling the curse that keeps him alive and the moral burden of every life he takes. The world itself is steeped in tension: blood-soaked temples, cursed alleyways and grand mansions teeming with demons — all serve as the backdrop for a story where drama intertwines with mythical horror. The supporting characters – from allies to tragic villains – add charm to this adventure and make it all the more epic.
However, I can’t say the story really gripped me. Yes, it’s not bad; it has its memorable moments, but the script for *Pragmata* —Capcom’s other hit this year — is far more compelling. It feels as though the focus was on the gameplay, and with that, everything becomes more exciting.
Gameplay: hack, explore and have fun
The gameplay in *Onimusha: Way of the Sword* is the best thing about it. It offers dynamic, rhythmic combat where precision and perfect timing are rewarded. Players wield Musashi’s katana, executing fluid combos, parries and counter-attacks, with each type of enemy requiring its own approach. The Oni Gauntlet grants supernatural abilities, allowing Musashi to absorb the souls of defeated foes and unleash devastating special moves. Boss battles are intense duels that test your mastery of the combat system, whilst encounters with lesser foes encourage you to experiment and relish watching them fall to your skills.
Boss battles are almost the number one reason to play Onimusha. Illustration: Gagadget
Exploration is also a lot of fun, as the areas of Kyoto are packed with hidden secrets, side quests and materials for upgrading. Players can upgrade Musashi’s gear, unlock new moves and customise his equipment to suit their playstyle. Environment-based puzzles and hidden paths add variety, whilst the game’s structure avoids turning everything into an endless open world, instead resembling God of War (2018).
Fans of maxing out everything will certainly find plenty to keep them occupied. Illustration: Gagadget
Taken together, these systems create incredibly engaging gameplay, where every sword strike is a joy. The intensity of the combat, combined with the engaging progression system, compels you to explore everything around you and keep a firm grip on the controller. So, once again this year, Capcom demonstrates how to create games that never get boring.
How well is the game optimised for Japan?
I played the game on a PlayStation 5 Pro and didn’t notice any optimisation issues. There were no frame rate drops or bugs, so you can jump straight in and play without worrying that you’ve been sold a pig in a poke instead of a katana.
Full of demons, but beautiful
Built on the RE Engine, the game combines photorealistic locations with stylised supernatural effects — from blood-splattered buildings to surging demonic energy. Lighting plays a key role in all of this: moonlit rooftops, flickering lanterns and explosions create a dynamic, atmospheric palette. The physics of the protagonist’s hair and kimono deserve special mention. They are rendered in exquisite detail. And whilst the graphics may fall short of modern AAA releases, the Japanese aesthetic certainly does the trick.
The sound only enhances the experience
The soundtrack combines traditional Japanese instruments, which feels both authentic and epic. Battles are accompanied by the sharp clang of steel, the crackle of blows and the guttural roars of enemies, whilst ambient sounds, such as the wind rustling through flowers and distant bells, deepen the sense of immersion.
What will make Onimusha: Way of the Sword memorable
Onimusha: Way of the Sword will certainly be remembered for having one of the most thrilling combat systems of recent years. The spectacle of the game is on a whole other level. Every battle feels like a dance of death, and you’re constantly itching to take down as many enemies as possible, test your skills against a new, formidable boss, and save Japan from the demons. But what’s even more surprising is that this is Capcom’s fourth major game of 2026, and like the previous three, it’s of the very highest quality. So despite all the challenges facing the industry, thanks to companies like this, things won’t be all that bad.
Onimusha is yet another reason to consider 2026 one of the best years for game releases in recent years. Illustration: Gagadget
Five things you need to know about Onimusha: Way of the Sword
- The new instalment doesn’t require you to know what came before
- The last major game in the franchise was released back in 2006
- You’ll be constantly slashing enemies with your katana
- The game isn’t a ‘Souls-like’, if that’s what you were worried about. You won’t be penalised for dying
- Instead of an open world, there are spacious locations
| Onimusha: Way of the Sword | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Action Adventure |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, PC |
| Number of players | Single-player |
| Developer | Capcom |
| Publisher | Capcom |
| Playtime | 15–25 hours |
| Release date | 4 September 2026 |
For those who want to know more
Our game editor has been playing games since he was 4 years old and can't imagine himself without it. He has played 100+ games on PlayStation, but still considers The Last of Us Part II to be the best in the industry. In January 2022, he joined the gg team. He studies at the Faculty of Journalism at Kyiv International University.
