After nearly 20 years of radio silence, Capcom has finally remembered that samurai exist — and they’re bringing them back with style, blood, and a healthy dose of nostalgic sword-slicing in Onimusha: Way of the Sword. The game was officially revealed in late 2024, and thanks to an epic (and sometimes delightfully nerdy) interview on Famitsu with producer Akihito Kadowaki and director Satoru Nihei, we now know way more than we probably should this early on. And honestly? We’re glad we do. These two clearly love demons, swords, and Toshiro Mifune almost as much as we love not getting obliterated by giant cursed ogres in Kyoto.
According to producer Kadowaki, casting Mifune wasn’t a “nice idea” — it was non-negotiable. They literally said, “No Mifune, no Musashi.” Which sounds like the most Japanese way to say “no compromises” ever. Capcom even spent ages negotiating with Mifune Productions, showing them video game demos like nervous schoolkids presenting a class project. “Please, sir, may we use your ancestor’s scowl?”
Set in early Edo-period Kyoto (aka samurai central), the game is a gritty, demon-infested, blood-splattered playground. The story is totally standalone — no need to play the old games unless you’re the kind of completionist who alphabetizes your manga. Still, the game retains some iconic Onimusha elements: soul-sucking mechanics (in a good way), tense sword clashes, and a whole new “parry-and-flex” system called uke-nagashi (受け流し) where your sword glows blue when you’re just that cool.
And the monsters? Oh, the monsters. Forget your standard “oh no, a spooky ghost!” stuff. These genma (幻魔) are grotesque, hell-born nightmares who look like they moonlight as cursed Noh actors. Some even have magic paper seals stuck to them that fall off and make them angrier. It’s like fighting a haunted glue stick.
Musashi isn’t just brooding solo this time — he’s got historical sidekicks! Capcom hasn’t spilled the beans, but dropped a hint: “They’re connected to Kyoto.” So start googling “cool Kyoto people from the 1600s” and place your bets. And yes, fans are screaming for rival Sasaki Kojirō to appear, and while Capcom hasn’t confirmed anything, they gave the kind of coy “maybe” smile that says, “We’re totally doing it but want to act mysterious.”
Gameplay-wise, it’s not a “die every five seconds” Souls clone, but it’s no cakewalk either. You’ll still get spanked by demon bosses, but it’ll feel fair — like getting slapped by a Zen master who’s just trying to help you grow. You can level up, train, and use the environment to your advantage, including such Musashi moves as throwing a tatami mat in someone’s face. Yes, really.
The game isn’t open-world (sorry, Skyrim fans), but progresses through beautifully cursed stages across demon-Kyoto. You’ll explore real places like Kiyomizu-dera — just, you know, with more lava and dismemberment. And Capcom is going full “Japan-mode” on the audio, using traditional instruments and sound effects that make every sword clash sound like a cherry blossom exploding.
And the soundtrack? No big-name artists. Capcom said “nah” to pop stars and instead focused on “sounds that make your soul feel sliced.” You love to hear it.
Until the 2026 release, fans can sharpen their blades with the remastered Onimusha 2 dropping in May 2025. But when Way of the Sword finally lands, get ready for a dramatic, blood-soaked, demon-filled, historically-inaccurate samurai epic where you can block arrows with tatami and stab your way through cursed Kyoto like it’s your part-time job.
Mifune would be proud. Or at least he’d grunt approvingly and slice a ghost in half.
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