Onimusha: Way of the Sword Reviews
Even amongst the glut of so many samurai-themed games over this past several years, Onimusha: Way of the Sword stands tall above many of them thanks to its unique tone, style, and exemplary modern approach to hack and slash combat.
Way of the Sword was destined for greatness either way. Its combat is gorgeous both in how it looks and how it plays, its boss encounters are electric, I don't remember the last time I spent time with a cast as magnetic and memorable, and genuinely, I struggle to imagine a game more deserving of its moniker. But the early Onimusha titles were short and sweet. They had backtracking and puzzles and exploration, yet they were tight-knit experiences that still hold up 25 years later because they weren't wasteful. Playing through Way of the Sword's filler, seeing how it pads its runtime, I have to wonder what an absolute juggernaut it would have been had Capcom thought to trim the fat.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword keeps the spirit of the originals while bringing the combat and presentation firmly into the modern era. .
Onimusha: Way of the Sword upgrades the franchise from the previous era, making for a much more technically challenging game. Instead of fighting fixed camera angles, you are fighting fast enemies with move sets that require precision to overcome. This could easily feel like anything or everything else on the market, but instead, thanks to a clever skill tree of robust abilities, you get a vast amount of tools that require timing to master. It is enough that you can choose which ones to emphasize practicing if others aren’t working out the way you need them to. This elevates the title’s combat from simple hack-and-slash to something creative and enjoyable.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword is a comeback that, personally, I've really enjoyed.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Onimusha: Way of the Sword makes a particularly convincing comeback. Its excellent combat system, memorable boss battles, and polished presentation make this new adventure an incredibly enjoyable action game. Repetitive side activities, frequent backtracking through Kyoto, and a few slower sections keep the experience from reaching true greatness. Still, none of these issues are enough to spoil the pleasure of seeing the return of a franchise that clearly still had plenty to offer.
Review in French | Read full review
Onimusha: Way of the Sword marks a triumphant revival for a franchise that has remained in the shadows for far too long, demonstrating how a classic formula can evolve without betraying its original essence. While it stumbles over the typical weaknesses of modern blockbusters—such as an overly convoluted hub and side activities that feel like filler—Capcom’s game shines brightly thanks to a consistently satisfying combat system. Musashi’s commanding presence, the choreographed tension of the epic duels, and the sumptuous art direction powered by the RE Engine crown this return as a must-play for fans of pure action.
Review in Italian | Read full review
A testament to Capcom's years of refining action gameplay, Onimusha: Way of the Sword is a game any action fan can pick up and love — series veteran or not.
Review in Korean | Read full review
A stylish return to classic action, blending feudal Japan’s mysticism with fast-paced combat and cinematic flair.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
So what do we make of Onimusha: Way of the Sword? Well, it’s a solid game. The core of its gameplay isn’t groundbreaking: it’s classic, knows what it’s doing, and does it well.
Review in French | Read full review
Onimusha: Way of the Sword gets it right that the best moments are putting a sword in your hand and fighting an ever more intriguing series of monsters. Onimusha is back after over two decades, and it’s a game worthy of the name. It’s not flawless, but it’s great combat, great bosses, an amazing presentation, and a great samurai feel, making it one of Capcom’s most successful reboots.
Onimusha Way of The Sword is a return to form for a dormant Capcom franchise, boasting an incredible combat system, albeit one held back by a lack of difficulty options to really take advantage of it, and a middling open ended Kyoto area that overstays its welcome towards the end.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Onimusha: Way of the Sword is a home run for Capcom. It’s an amazing way of bringing the series back into the forefront of gamers' minds. The series has always had a bit of a struggle with its identity, often just resembling a samurai version of Resident Evil or even, confusingly, a Smash Bros clone at one point. I think Capcom drawing influence from the soulslike style of game couldn’t have worked better; it has all the cinematic flair you would come to expect from the developer while not doing the obvious thing of just copying and leaning on a certain Dante-led series. Much like a rose, Onimusha: Way of the Sword is a beauty with a few barbs. The difficulty is going to be mixed for some, and the fluff of the open world can really do a number on the pacing. But all in all, Capcom has once again put the gaming world on notice with a very strong contender for Game of the Year 2026 and has done an amazing job of resurrecting another long-forgotten franchise. I can only hope that one day I can see them bring back another of their dormant series as spectacularly as they have with this one.
Its vague open world in no way detracts from a spectacular combat system, a more-than-interesting story, magnificent and varied boss battles, dreamlike graphics and optimization, and much more. Don’t miss the chance to revisit one of the most important hack-and-slash franchises in history—one that even served as inspiration for the first *God of War* on the PS2—in what is likely a once-in-a-lifetime year for the great Capcom.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Onimusha: Way of the Sword manages to impress at times thanks to its fluid animations and deep mechanics. While it could have benefited from more focused project management to fully realize its potential, it is still a game that demonstrates that things are going in the right direction at Capcom.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
This is how you revive a dormant series. Capcom did not rely on nostalgia or imitate every modern action game around it. It found an identity in the physical clash of swords, then built a funny, bloody, surprisingly heartfelt adventure around that foundation. I started with no history with Onimusha and finished convinced that Way of the Sword belongs beside Capcom's very best work.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword is a successful revival of a franchise that had been dormant for 20 years, thanks to its utterly addictive and rewarding combat, a cast of characters that really captivated me, and superb animations that raise the bar for games in this genre. Whilst there is still room for improvement in a potential sequel, this is nonetheless an action title that continues the winning streak for the Japanese studio, which had already enjoyed a historic year full of successes with players, thus adding yet another hit to its portfolio.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Powerhouse Capcom has been knocking it out of the park with its releases this year, and Onimusha: Way of the Sword is no exception. This game has it all: stunning cutscenes and character models, phenomenal Japanese voice acting, impressive performance on the Switch 2, and an incredibly smooth combat system that makes it hard to put the controller down. So, free up your schedule and sharpen your swords, because there is Genma to slay!
Onimusha: Way of the Sword is an excellent revival of Onimusha. The strengths of the franchise's modernization easily stand out, elevating the game to a level that makes it a great title in its genre. The combat system's potential is formidable, turning challenging boss battles into moments of pure tension that deliver immense satisfaction upon completion. Musashi is also one of the series' best protagonists; his mannerisms are entertaining, and his character development is a major highlight of the narrative.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Onimusha: Way of the Sword is an excellent and bold reinvention of Capcom’s iconic franchise. The game more than rewards fans for the long wait with one of the most impressive and satisfying combat systems the series has ever seen, complemented by a superb technical presentation and a charismatic, deeply engaging reinterpretation of its story.
Review in Italian | Read full review