Capcom’s Onimusha franchise has been dormant for well over a decade, but with Onimusha: Way of the Sword the series is making a striking return. We had the chance to go hands-on with the game at Gamescom, and what we experienced suggests this is more than just a nostalgic revival. It’s shaping up to be a dark, cinematic action-adventure that feels modern in its execution while still honoring the series’ roots.
What we know
Onimusha: Way of the Sword is set in Edo-era Kyoto, reimagined as a city ravaged by supernatural corruption. Players take on the role of a samurai bearing the Oni Gauntlet, a mystical weapon that grants the ability to fight the monstrous Genma. Across blood-soaked battlefields and haunted streets, the game mixes narrative-driven exploration with intense swordplay against human and demonic foes. While the story promises a grim journey of self-discovery and survival, gameplay centers on tactical melee combat, cinematic encounters, and the steady growth of your abilities. The game is currently in development for PC, with console versions also expected at launch.
What we saw
At Gamescom we went hands-on with a 25-minute demo build, which offered a look at traversal, enemy encounters, and a climactic boss battle. This slice gave us a strong sense of how the game blends atmospheric storytelling with weighty action mechanics.
What we thought
The first thing that stood out was how gorgeous Onimusha: Way of the Sword looks. Kyoto’s corrupted streets are rendered with a painterly richness, every corner drenched in shadow and detail. From the way the Malice clouds creep across the horizon to the animations of the Oni Gauntlet in use, the game makes a strong impression visually. Even in its darker moments, there’s an elegance to the presentation that makes it feel cinematic in scope.
The combat, meanwhile, strikes a clever balance. Going in, one might expect a soulslike pace – punishing duels where every misstep leads to disaster – but CAPCOM’s approach is more accessible. Fights still demand precision and timing, but they’re not overwhelming. There’s room to experiment with combos, parries, and Oni Gauntlet abilities without the crushing difficulty curve that often defines the genre. The result is something that feels deliberate and weighty, but also approachable, making each encounter thrilling without becoming exhausting.
Narratively, the demo hinted at a story that leans into the series’ history of mixing Japanese folklore with dark fantasy. The presence of the Oni Gauntlet as both a tool of destruction and a curse gives the tale a dramatic center, while the twisted version of Kyoto provides a striking stage for it all to unfold. Combined with the development team’s cinematic framing, it feels like the kind of adventure that can carry emotional weight while still letting the action take the lead.
All told, Onimusha: Way of the Sword is shaping up as a strong return for the series. It blends modern visuals and cinematic ambition with gameplay that feels sharp but not oppressive. While the demo only offered a small taste of what’s to come, it left us eager to see how the full experience unfolds. If they can maintain this balance of atmosphere, combat, and storytelling, this could be the renaissance that Onimusha fans have been waiting for.
Press Play Media 