Capcom have been on a roll in recent times, and Onimusha is a franchise that they’ve decided to revitalise with a brand new entry in 2026. Onimusha Way of the Sword is releasing extremely soon, and I played the demo to see if it’s worth diving into the full game on release day. The answer to the above is thankfully a resounding YES! I actually cannot wait for the full game because what I’ve played so far was nothing less than spectacular.
What Is Onimusha Way of the Sword?
So what exactly is Onimusha Way of the Sword and why was the demo so convincing?
Onimusha Way of the Sword is a new mainline entry into the franchise but it does not follow on from previous events nor does it relate to them specifically. The main overarching themes are there with the monsters or “Genma” and the Oni gauntlet that our protagonist wields but we aren’t following the tale of Samanosuke Akechi this time around. This time we’re taking on the role of Miyamoto Musashi as he comes into possession of the mysterious Oni gauntlet.
Onimusha Way of the Sword Demo Story
Players will start off the demo with Musashi encountering some genma attacking some rural Japanese villagers in the Edo period version of Kyoto. You will fight the genma off with your samurai skills and venture into a temple plagued by their evil corruption. Upon further exploring the area, you’ll encounter a priest and some more villagers before finally interacting with an orb of dark energy.
This is when things really get interesting, but for the sake of not spoiling anything story-wise, I’ll refrain from mentioning anything else further.
Onimusha Way of the Sword Gameplay
Moving on to the actual gameplay, Onimusha Way of the Sword involves hacking and slashing, fast-paced combat action gameplay. The game plays out in a third-person view, and fans of the original Onimusha games will be glad to know that Onimusha Way of the Sword does, in fact, let you use the gauntlet to suck up souls. Defeat enemies and you’ll get a chance to absorb yellow or red souls, and later on, you’ll be able to absorb blue oni energy too.
Samurai Combat and Swordplay
Musashi is a master samurai swordsman, and his technique is spot on here, with him being able to deflect, block and slice through genma with ease. Players will have to time their attacks, with both light and heavy attacks being able to be combined to break through enemy defences before ending them off with visually stunning finishers.
Battles can be quite frantic when there’s a lot of enemies on screen and you’ll have to be aware of your foes capabilities instead of just button bashing your way to victory.
Combat Requires Skill
Combat involves a balance of offence and defence and you really do need to block and parry if you want to deal massive damage to your opponents. Triggering counter attacks, breaking free from grabs and executing strong finishers are essential for victory in Onimusha Way of the Sword.
Demo Length and Visuals
The core combat gameplay loop involves adventuring out through levels while defeating genma and progressing the story further. The demo is quite short coming in at around 30-50 minutes long depending on your play style and if you’re stopping to take in the gorgeous visuals or not.
And speaking of gorgeous visuals, Onimusha Way of the Sword is visually stunning with the RE Engine once again working wonders in the visual department. Character models look extremely detailed and the flashy combat effects are breath-taking to behold. The final release build is surely going to be filled with some truly amazing visuals if the demo is anything to go by.
Onimusha Way of the Sword Demo Verdict
Onimusha Way of the Sword is definitely going to be Capcom’s next big hit and I highly recommend playing through the demo before diving into the full release build. Playing through the Kyoto temple area, you’ll see for yourself that the game’s combat is excellent and rather addictive with the way it flows so well with incredibly satisfying feedback. Oh and you’ll also unlock some items in the full game if you play through the demo so be sure to give it a go!
Onimusha Way of the Sword Demo Impression:
The Onimusha Way of the Sword demo provides a highly positive first look at Capcom’s upcoming samurai action game. Playing as Miyamoto Musashi in Edo-period Kyoto, players battle the Genma using fast-paced sword combat, blocking, parrying, counters, finishers and the iconic Oni gauntlet soul-absorption system. The demo also showcases the game’s detailed visuals and RE Engine presentation.
Onimusha Way of the Sword Demo FAQ
Who is the protagonist in Onimusha Way of the Sword?
The protagonist is Miyamoto Musashi, who comes into possession of the mysterious Oni gauntlet.
What is the Onimusha Way of the Sword demo like?
The demo features fast-paced third-person samurai combat, exploration and battles against the Genma in an Edo-period Kyoto setting.
How long is the Onimusha Way of the Sword demo?
The demo takes approximately 30–50 minutes to complete depending on play style and how much time is spent exploring and viewing the game’s visuals.
Does Onimusha Way of the Sword have the Oni gauntlet?
Yes. The Oni gauntlet returns as an important gameplay mechanic, allowing Musashi to absorb souls from defeated enemies.
Does Onimusha Way of the Sword follow Samanosuke?
No. Onimusha Way of the Sword does not follow the story of Samanosuke Akechi. Instead, the game features Miyamoto Musashi as its protagonist.
Read more awesome previews >>here<<.
The game was provided to us for the express purpose of reviewing.
