(Credit: Capcom)
Onimusha: Way of the Sword is one of my most anticipated releases for 2026. I realized that after I first played it at Summer Game Fest 2025, and I reckon Capcom has faith in it too—as the developer announced that the game, originally scheduled for release on Sept. 25, will now be released on Sept. 4. I played a new demo at Summer Game Fest 2026, an action-packed section that let me explore and master the game's various mechanics. After slaying the demo's many enemies, I can say without hesitation that I'm even more hyped for Onimusha: Way of the Sword than I was before.
Graphics, Story, and Open World
Onimusha: Way of the Sword is the latest entry in the Onimusha series. You play as Miyamoto Musashi, a samurai who wields the Oni Gauntlet, a mystical artifact that grants its bearer the power to slay Genma, immortal demons that cause chaos across Edo-era Kyoto. Miyamoto is portrayed by the late actor Toshiro Minafune, perhaps best known for his roles as a samurai in classic Akira Kurosawa films like Seven Samurai, Rashomon, and Yojimbo. It's important to note that this digital recreation isn't as ethically questionable as Tupac Shakur’s resurrection in Stranger Than Heaven.
Capcom has used real actors to portray the titular Onimusha before, but none have benefited from the RE Engine's graphical fidelity. Minafune's expressions, especially the way he raises his eye when considering something or pouts and rolls his eyes in annoyance, add a layer of levity to the character not seen in previous series entries. Yet it didn't pull me out of the experience. Miyamoto Musashi is charming and even funny, but never quippy.
This characterization was best displayed during the demo's early moments. As Musashi entered an area affected by an Oni's miasma, he spoke with villagers who were put under a spell. I felt Musashi cringe as the villagers explained how they willingly gave up body parts to an alleged savior as a way to cure their issues.
I sought to help the villagers by seeking out eight mystical pillars, but when I found them, three had been captured and hidden across town. That's where I got a taste of Onimusha: Way of the Sword's open world. It's not quite Ghost of Yotei or Rise of Ronin in terms of scope—at least in the demo. In fact, it reminded me of the semi-open areas in Resident Evil Requiem. I wandered the abandoned homes, slashing down walls and bamboo trees. Occasionally, I found a person being chased by demons and could step in to help in exchange for rewards, such as healing items. I quickly discovered that I'd need them.
Deep Mechanics and a Thrilling Boss Battle
Onimusha: Way of the Sword's combat felt so good that I sought fights at every possible turn. I could immediately tell that the developers drew inspiration from Sekiro and other Souls games. The sword carried significant weight when it clashed against another enemy’s steel, and the game encouraged parrying over blindly hacking and slashing. Overall, Onimusha is a lot more forgiving than Sekiro, and moves at a far faster pace.
It actively rewards you for performing well. For example, you can parry a few attacks in a row to boost your damage, or time your blow just right to pull off an Issen move that downs weak enemies in one hit. Perfect Dodges let you side-step enemies for quick attacks from the side, while stunning enemies within reach of one another opens the door to chain attack executions. And finally, you absorb souls from downed foes for health and experience points, a mechanic that's a series staple. Using those tools, it didn't take long for me to chop through enemies and find the missing stone pillars.
A boss fight with a villain named Rasho-Ganwas was the most satisfying demo battle. To defeat the demon, I had to parry attacks to boost my damage output. The fight started straightforward enough, but by the time Rasho-Ganwas entered its second phase, I had to attack its tendrils to drop a house on its head. This boss fight was incredibly lively, with each phase feeling distinct. By the third phase, Rasho-Gan was flying across the arena. In true cinematic fashion, I ended the fight by parrying his flying attack and sending him crashing into a tree.
That was the official end of the demo, but I had so much fun that I went back to replay the boss fight again on a harder difficulty, which offered a good challenge without feeling punishing.
Final Demo Thoughts and Release Date
Going into the demo, I was concerned there wouldn't be much to discuss since I played the game last year. However, Capcom has been hard at work polishing it like an authentic Hattori Hanzō sword. Onimusha: Way of the Sword appears to continue Capcom's hot streak, following the acclaimed Pragmata and Resident Evil Requiem. Onimusha: Way of the Sword releases on Sept. 4 for PC, PlayStation 5, Switch 2, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S.
About Our Expert
I’m a PCMag reviewer and ISF-certified TV calibrator focused on computer accessories, laptops, gaming monitors, and video games. I’ve been writing, playing, and complaining about games for as long as I remember, but it wasn’t until recently that I’ve been able to shout my opinions directly at a larger audience. My work has appeared on iMore, Windows Central, Android Central, and TWICE, and I have a diverse portfolio of editing work under my belt from my time spent at Scholastic and Oxford University Press. I also have a few book-author credits under my belt—I’ve contributed to the sci-fi anthology Under New Suns, and I’ve even written a Peppa Pig book.
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