Onimusha: Way of the Sword is a single-player action RPG adventure developed by Capcom for the PlayStation 5. Players take control of Miyamoto Musashi in a dark fantasy retelling of Edo-period Kyoto overrun by malevolent forces. The game centers on intense sword combat against supernatural enemies known as Genma while exploring twisted historical locations filled with shrines and temples.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around deliberate swordplay that rewards timing and observation over rapid button presses. Musashi wields a sword for strikes, parries, and deflections, with a prolonged parry allowing players to steer enemies into vulnerable positions. A dedicated guard stance blocks attacks from all directions, and successful parries or dodges build combat buffs for follow-up executions or multi-hit sequences.
The Oni Gauntlet serves as the central artifact, granting superhuman strength to fell Genma while absorbing their souls to power upgrades and abilities. Stamina management plays a key role as repeated strikes and parries wear down foes, opening opportunities for the Break Issen finisher that dismembers enemies in one strike. Environmental interactions, such as using objects as temporary shields, add layers to encounters against both standard Genma and formidable rival swordsmen.
Progression involves navigating stages cloaked in mystery and danger, with the gauntlet's voice hinting at deeper lore. Combat emphasizes grounded motion-captured movements that feel weighty and responsive, encouraging players to study enemy patterns before committing to attacks.
Game Modes
The game operates entirely in a single-player format focused on the main narrative campaign. Demo versions offered separate difficulty options, including a standard story mode alongside an aggressive combat variant that alters attack mappings for a more offensive playstyle. Control schemes include an aggressive default layout with attacks on triangle and circle alongside a defensive alternative that shifts block functions to shoulder buttons.
Performance settings provide two graphics modes on PS5: a quality mode locked at 30 frames per second with higher resolution and a performance mode targeting 60 frames per second with dynamic resolution scaling. These options allow players to prioritize visual fidelity or smoother action during extended sword duels and exploration sequences.
Story and Setting
Musashi arrives in Kyoto seeking to prove his unmatched swordsmanship, only to confront a city warped by clouds of Malice that summon Genma from the underworld. The tale follows his search for purpose amid bloody battles against these fiends and skilled human opponents. Capcom modeled Musashi's appearance after the late actor Toshiro Mifune to capture the essence of a fierce, wandering samurai.
Key locations include historic sites like Kiyomizu-dera Temple, reimagined with eerie distortions that heighten the sense of dread. The narrative unfolds through gritty encounters that blend personal growth with larger supernatural threats, without relying on multiplayer elements or seasonal content.
Is It Worth Playing?
Demo impressions highlight satisfying, skill-based combat that feels fresh and inventive while remaining accessible. The deliberate pacing suits players who enjoy studying enemy tells and mastering parry timing rather than pure aggression. As a revival of the Onimusha series after nearly two decades, it modernizes the formula with RE Engine visuals and refined mechanics without adopting Soulslike difficulty spikes.
Full release support details remain limited ahead of launch, with the title positioned as a complete single-player experience. Those drawn to historical samurai themes mixed with dark fantasy action will find the verified combat systems and protagonist focus compelling reasons to try it upon release.
