Onimusha: Way of the Sword Gamescom Preview – Exploring Two Heavens as One

Onimusha: Way of the Sword – A Promising Comeback

The announcement of Onimusha: Way of the Sword at last year’s The Game Awards generated significant excitement, although whispers of its return had already circulated within the gaming community. Despite the nostalgic affection fans hold for the franchise from its PlayStation 2 heyday, it faces substantial challenges in today’s competitive gaming landscape. The rise of the soulslike genre has shifted player expectations, which could influence the game’s design philosophy. Fortunately, Way of the Sword aims to honor its origins, promising a fresh gameplay experience that maintains the series’ distinctive charm.

First Impressions from Gamescom

During Gamescom last month, I had the opportunity to experience a 30-minute playable demo of the game. While the demo exhibited some early-stage roughness, it effectively highlighted the modernized adaptations of the classic Onimusha gameplay. Piloting Miyamoto Musashi through the visually stunning Kiyomizu-dera temple, I was captivated not only by the atmospheric environment but also by the refined gameplay mechanics, which differentiate it from other titles that blend historical Japanese lore with fantasy elements.

A warrior battles a large creature in a temple setting with red leaves scattered on the ground. — Onimusha: Way of the Sword is set to be a more than worthy entry in the series

Familiar Combat and Exploration

Departing from the fixed camera angles typical of its predecessors, the controls for Musashi felt both intuitive and a nod to the series’ legacy, with some dynamic camera perspectives enhancing the action. Combat retained its classic Onimusha essence, focusing on staggering the Genma demons, executing precise parries, and delivering impactful Issen counterattacks. Within moments, I found myself deftly navigating the temple environment, tackling straightforward puzzles, and harnessing the Oni Gauntlet to absorb wandering souls, which provided exciting upgrades and varied combat techniques.

Encountering Sasaki Ganryu

My explorations quickly led to an encounter with Sasaki Ganryu, a character evoking the legendary Kojiro Sasaki, one of Musashi’s most renowned adversaries. The ensuing battle was cinematic and thrilling, showcasing impressive choreography between the two fighters, though I found the difficulty level to be somewhat lower than anticipated. Parrying Ganryu’s attacks proved manageable, but I remain optimistic; given that the game’s release is still on the horizon, I expect adjustments will be made for balance, especially since CAPCOM has already indicated a focus away from difficulty spikes.

Final Thoughts and Expectations

Initially, my excitement for Onimusha: Way of the Sword was tempered by concerns over its perceived clunkiness; however, the Gamescom demo quashed those apprehensions. If the final game retains the quality demonstrated, it stands poised to be the much-anticipated revival of this beloved action-adventure series. Looking forward, I hope it launches on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S by the end of 2026, as promised.

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