I used to be within the room at The Sport Awards 2024 when Onimusha: Manner of the Sword was introduced, and it was probably the most palpable reactions of all the evening as gasps, cheers, and whispers rippled via the gang on the realization of what was on display screen. It is little marvel: outdoors of remasters and a VR spinoff, it has been almost 20 years for the reason that final Onimusha sport. Now, I’ve performed a brief preview of Capcom’s supernatural samurai RPG, and it is higher than we might have imagined.
Given the time that has handed since Daybreak of Desires, Onimusha’s newest outing seems a little bit completely different. I am normally an enormous advocate for retaining basic visuals and never bringing each collection kicking and screaming into the trendy day – it is a part of the explanation I scored the Silent Hill 2 remake decrease than most. Modernized graphics at all times run the chance of shedding one thing important about an older sport’s visible design, softening the exhausting edges in ways in which make for a much less distinctive aesthetic. That stated, Onimusha: Manner of the Sword seems unbelievable. The times of mounted cameras and lower-poly survival horror could also be within the collection’ previous, however the sequel’s beautiful Japanese surroundings, grotesque Ganma, and breathtaking fight animations are an ideal match for the capabilities of Capcom’s RE Engine.
The extent of the modifications would possibly fear long-time followers, however I do not assume we should be involved. Actually, it appears as if the motion sport caters to followers outdated and new, with a recent protagonist and storyline which can be each accessible to newbies and match seamlessly with basic Onimusha mechanics, together with acquainted pink and gold stamina and well being bars, Ganma souls, and the Oni Gauntlet.
The latter stands out as the good instance of Onimusha’s new period. The Oni Gauntlet is central to the story, and unlocking its powers reveals new fight mechanics. Whereas the gauntlet nonetheless consumes Genma souls to spice up your stats, a change to the weapon’s outdated powers comes within the type of Oni Armaments. Highly effective twin assaults, just like the preview’s Two Celestials, deal elevated injury to the enemy, however are additionally an vital a part of our hero’s lore.
Whereas Manner of the Sword marks Miyamoto Musashi’s first time as a protagonist, he has already appeared each within the manga and as a facet character in 2003’s Blade Warriors. Extra importantly, although, Musashi is a historic Japanese samurai, often called – look forward to it – the primary particular person to find the artwork of utilizing two swords directly.
So Manner of the Sword seems spectacular, and its dedication to Japanese historical past and folklore is obvious, however how does it play? As a linear motion sport, exploration and progress nonetheless really feel like they did within the PlayStation 2 days, simply with a recent lick of high-definition paint. The preview space took me up a winding path to the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, providing ample area to soak in the great thing about my environment, get a glimpse of some mysterious apparitions, and luxuriate in some story beats. Upon my arrival on the temple, the way in which inside is not instantly clear, requiring me to discover completely. Yellow-paint protesters will likely be happy to listen to there isn’t any handholding right here. Nonetheless, as intriguing as the degrees might be, fight stays the star of the present.
Whether or not taking over teams or squaring as much as a boss one-on-one, battles require the utmost endurance and precision, making fight nearly really feel like a dance. Meticulously flowing from dodges, parries, assaults, and deflection with the Oni Gauntlet’s charged Oni Armament, all whereas switching between twin and single-handed hits, is an invigorating problem that may finish in catastrophe in the event you panic and begin button-mashing.
Actually, it took me 5 – 6 makes an attempt to defeat the preview boss, Sasaki Ganryu, earlier than I figured it out. Mindlessly throwing myself on the enemy left me open and susceptible. It was solely after I stepped again, slowed down, and delivered fastidiously timed parries that Ganryu succumbed to my expertise.
Collection veterans will know the significance of dealing Issens – crucial assaults that stagger or deflect your opponent – they usually’re as essential as ever in Manner of the Sword. When dealt towards bosses, new Break Issens even give you a selection of the place to strike them, with every space providing its personal bonus. For instance, towards Ganryu, I might goal his head or arm. The latter would have supplied extra souls to extend my stamina and well being, whereas the previous dealt extra injury. Given I used to be in a reasonably robust place, I whacked his head, slicing off a substantial chunk of his well being.
This steadiness of preparation, composure, and counterattacking makes Onimusha Manner of the Sword’s fight soar. If you happen to ever wished you would be Toshiro Mifune in one in every of his motion pictures, that is as shut as it’s possible you’ll ever get. Pair that with the beautiful surroundings, gripping exploration, and a real look after Japanese folklore, and Capcom’s newest is shaping as much as be a return to type for one more of its most beloved collection.
The Onimusha Manner of the Sword launch date is presently anticipated to land in 2026.
