After nearly two decades away from the spotlight, Capcom’s legendary samurai series finally returns with Onimusha: Way of the Sword. The new title is the first mainline entry since Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams in 2006, marking a major comeback for one of Capcom’s most distinctive action franchises. Set in an alternate version of early Edo-period Kyoto, the game once again combines historical Japan with dark fantasy, grotesque demons and supernatural forces. This time, players take control of the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, whose appearance is based on the iconic Japanese actor Toshiro Mifune. Rather than directly continuing the stories of the previous games, Way of the Sword acts as a fresh starting point designed to welcome both longtime fans and newcomers.
The Sword Is the Star
The biggest evolution can be found in the combat system. While the original Onimusha games already placed swordplay and timing at the heart of their gameplay, Way of the Sword takes this philosophy much further. Every clash is built around precision, with players encouraged to carefully observe enemy movements, parry incoming attacks and find the right moment to strike. The iconic Issen mechanic returns, allowing perfectly timed attacks to instantly kill ordinary enemies, while the new combat system gives players greater control over the flow of a fight. Parries, deflections and dodges can be chained together, creating opportunities for devastating counterattacks and spectacular executions. Capcom also worked with real-life swordsmen and motion-capture specialists to make Musashi’s movements feel grounded and believable, giving the swordplay a much greater sense of physical weight.
The Oni Gauntlet Evolves
Another fundamental part of the series also returns: the Oni Gauntlet. Musashi can absorb the souls of defeated enemies, transforming a familiar Onimusha mechanic into a more versatile gameplay system. Different souls have different functions, from restoring health to providing resources for upgrades or powering special Oni Armaments. These supernatural weapons add another layer to combat, allowing players to change their approach depending on the situation. The Oni Vision ability also expands the role of the gauntlet beyond combat, helping Musashi detect supernatural enemies and uncover elements of the world that would otherwise remain hidden. The result is a system that preserves one of the most recognizable features of classic Onimusha while integrating it much more deeply into exploration and progression.
From PlayStation 2 Classic to Modern Action Game
Despite its modern presentation, Way of the Sword clearly remembers where the series came from. The original Onimusha games became cult classics on PlayStation 2 thanks to their mixture of samurai action, survival-horror atmosphere, fixed-camera influences and Capcom-style combat. The new game abandons the old camera system in favor of a modern third-person perspective and uses the RE Engine to create a far more detailed version of feudal Japan. At the same time, Capcom has deliberately avoided turning the franchise into a conventional open-world or Soulslike experience. The adventure combines linear, carefully designed sequences with larger areas, exploration and optional activities, attempting to preserve the focused rhythm that characterized the older games while giving players more freedom.
A New Beginning for Onimusha
Ultimately, Onimusha: Way of the Sword feels less like a simple revival and more like an attempt to redefine what the franchise can be for a modern audience. Its dark interpretation of Kyoto, supernatural enemies, cinematic presentation and brutally precise swordplay retain the identity that made Onimusha special, while the new combat mechanics and expanded exploration push the formula forward. Miyamoto Musashi also gives Capcom an opportunity to build a new protagonist around one of Japan’s most famous historical warriors, while the presence of Genma and the Oni powers keeps the connection to the series’ roots alive. Released on September 25, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2, Way of the Sword represents one of Capcom’s most ambitious attempts to bring a dormant classic into the modern era.