Onimusha: Way of the Sword is a relentless and rewarding action game that perfectly balances brutal challenge with exciting combat. The camera can get a bit cramped in small areas, but that’s the only thing that inhibits this excellent title. This may be my first Onimusha, but I can guarantee it won’t be my last.
Credit: Capcom
When I first played Onimusha: Way of the Sword at Summer Game Fest this year, I was blown away. My entire knowledge of the franchise was limited to Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams’ Kaijin no Soki in Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, so I was pretty much going in blind. I emerged excited to experience the full game, and I was 100% right in doing so – Way of the Sword is one of the most fantastic action games in recent memory, and it’s gotten me wanting to blow through all of the previous titles going forward.
Combat is the main course in Onimusha: Way of the Sword, and it’s delightfully unrelenting. There’s no real viable method of blocking, so dodging or parrying with split-second timing is the name of the game. I got the hang of timing parries pretty quickly, so every boss felt almost like a puzzle, as I had to parse through their moves on the fly to figure out how to properly avoid and parry their devastating strikes. Even common foes can be dangerous when you’re sloppy, so you never feel entirely able to rest in any combat situation. It’s an exciting feeling that only revs up as the game goes on, and I can’t recall the last game to make me feel so simultaneously skilled and wimpy.
Credit: Capcom
Onimusha: Way of the Sword thrives when it comes to rewarding boss fights.
Boss fights are where the combat shines brightest, as each one is against a meticulously designed and immensely powerful foe. These battles feel like bookmarks throughout the game, testing how far you’ve come and how much you’ve powered up your stats, and reminding you of just how sharp you’ve got to be to take down these massive demons. I lost at least a couple of times against most bosses, but found each successive attempt to be more and more manageable as I got the hang of their flow. Rarely does a game so clearly show you how much you improve at it, so there’s a true sense of accomplishment that comes with besting each boss.
My only hang-up with Onimusha: Way of the Sword comes in some boss fights, and more specifically, the camera in those fights. Some foes are fought within buildings or in enclosed areas, which is an intriguing challenge in terms of spacing and gameplay. The only issue is that the camera can get trapped behind you in these instances, allowing you to be cornered by a boss with little means of escaping or even telling what’s going on. It’s not too common an occurrence, but I definitely got killed a couple of times due to this, which was a bit irritating.
Credit: Capcom
Even outside of battles, Onimusha: Way of the Sword provides you with plenty of sidequests to take part in between story events. Whether you’re rescuing incapacitated lion dogs or investigating little happenings in the daily lives of nearby townsfolk, there’s just the right amount of stuff to do if you want to pace out the plot a little more. These activities provide handy bonuses and cosmetic items while filling out the game’s world, so I had a blast taking part in them when I felt like taking a break from the more intense gameplay.
As for the story, I was certainly drawn into Onimusha: Way of the Sword’s narrative. I really love everything about samurai and the ethos they lived by, so combining that with otherworldly monsters makes for a real treat. Main character Musashi has this fascinating combo of stern strength and absolute goofiness that makes him incredibly likable, and the supporting cast are no slouches either. Watching Musashi have to get closer to this ragtag group, including the oni within his own gauntlet, as he struggles to maintain his humanity is pretty riveting — especially when contrasted with his psychotic rival Ganryu.
Credit: Capcom
Onimusha: Way of the Sword is a gorgeous game, too. Musashi’s expressions are ridiculously detailed and lively, giving him a ton of little character moments I always appreciated. The demon designs are pleasantly gnarly, with the bosses sticking out as especially gruesome in a rather creative way. I also appreciate the game’s gore, as it adds to the brutal, merciless feeling the game oozes while also contributing to the overall stylishness of combat, with enemies falling apart into bloody messes when they’re diced up.
Excellent
The Final Word
Onimusha: Way of the Sword is easily a contender for game of the year, as it blends merciless action with skill-based combat in a near-seamless way. The story and visuals complement the ridiculously sharp gameplay extremely well, and though the camera can be a little problematic on rare occasions, that shouldn’t stop you from experiencing Capcom’s latest banger.
