Onimusha: Way of the Sword
An Oni Gauntlet-wielding samurai makes a stand in Kyoto against the encroaching Genma menace. Through gritty, blood-soaked brawls, he searches for his reason to fight.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword brings Capcom's demon-slashing series back after nearly two decades. Set in a demon-infested Kyoto during the Sengoku period, players wield the legendary Oni Gauntlet to absorb souls, unlock magic, and cut down the Genma horde. This is not a remaster or a simple HD collection—it is a full modern revival built from the ground up in Capcom's RE Engine.
A samurai action revival
Capcom has positioned Way of the Sword as a return to the series' roots: deliberate, weighty melee combat with tactical depth. The Issen counter system returns as the centerpiece mechanic, rewarding players who parry at the exact right moment with instant kills and massive soul bonuses. Exploration through Kyoto's districts is non-linear, with shrines acting as save points and upgrade stations between demonic encounters.
Combat system
Combat blends Onimusha's classic formula with modern action-game polish. You have a standard katana combo, a charged heavy attack, ranged bow options, and three schools of elemental magic channeled through the Oni Gauntlet. The Issen counter is the skill ceiling—mastering it lets you delete standard enemies in one frame-perfect parry. Each weapon type handles differently: katanas for speed, nodachi for power, and dual blades for multi-target pressure.
- Katana: balanced speed and damage, best all-purpose weapon.
- Nodachi: slow but destructive, ideal against armored Genma.
- Dual Blades: rapid strikes, excellent for building combo meter.
- Bow: ranged option for aerial enemies and environmental puzzles.
Kyoto setting and exploration
Kyoto is not a linear corridor. The city is divided into interconnected districts—market streets, temple grounds, noble estates, and the ruined castle—each with side paths, hidden soul caches, and optional boss encounters. Exploration rewards careful players with upgrade materials, new weapon types, and lore fragments that piece together the story of the Genma invasion.
System requirements
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 11 | Windows 11 |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 3 3100 | Intel Core i5-10400 / AMD Ryzen 5 3600 |
| GPU | GeForce GTX 1660 6GB / Radeon RX 5500 XT 8GB | GeForce RTX 2060 Super 8GB / Radeon RX 6600 8GB |
| RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage | 50 GB SSD | 50 GB SSD |
| DirectX | 12 | 12 |
Visit the Guides hub for combat tutorials, the Features section for deep dives on the Oni Gauntlet and Issen system, and the Updates page for the latest announcements.
FAQ
- What kind of game is Onimusha: Way of the Sword?
- It is a third-person action-adventure game with hack-and-slash combat, exploration, RPG upgrade systems, and a focus on parry-based counter mechanics. Think Sekiro meets classic Onimusha, but built in Capcom's RE Engine with modern production values.
- Is Way of the Sword connected to the older Onimusha games?
- It is a standalone story set in the same universe but does not directly continue the plot of Onimusha 3 or Dawn of Dreams. New players can jump in without playing the older titles. Longtime fans will recognize lore references, soul mechanics, and the Oni Gauntlet.
- Is there a demo available?
- Yes. Capcom released a free demo on Steam and console storefronts. It covers the opening chapter of Kyoto, the Oni Gauntlet tutorial, and early Genma encounters. Save data transfers to the full game at launch.