Onimusha: Way of the Sword Gets Off to a Promising Start

Not long after its official release, Onimusha: Way of the Sword has already received plenty of feedback from both players and critics. Most reactions so far have been positive, although there are still some mixed opinions. Even so, the early signs point to one thing: the game is doing what matters most for the franchise right now — bringing one of Capcom's once-iconic series back into the spotlight and putting it back in the conversation among leading action games.

After nearly two decades, Onimusha returns with a promising start

Onimusha was once one of Capcom's most memorable action franchises during the PlayStation 2 era. Starting with Onimusha: Warlords in 2001, the series quickly expanded with multiple entries, combining sword-based combat, action gameplay, and feudal Japan with supernatural creatures. After Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams, however, the franchise went without a new mainline game for many years, leaving fans waiting a long time for a true comeback. When Onimusha: Way of the Sword was finally announced, a name that had been closely associated with an important era of Capcom once again had a chance to step back into the spotlight.

Officially released on September 4, Onimusha: Way of the Sword marks the franchise's most significant return in a very long time. Rather than continuing the stories of previous entries, the game takes players to Kyoto during the Sengoku period and follows Miyamoto Musashi as he faces the Genma in a bloody battle.

Despite being built with more modern technology and a larger scope, Way of the Sword retains one of the most important elements that defined the series: sword fights that require players to watch their opponents, react to their attacks, and choose the right moment to strike. The Issen mechanic remains a key part of the experience alongside blocking, counterattacks, and exploiting enemy openings, creating fast-paced encounters that are not simply about attacking as quickly as possible.

This is also one of the aspects receiving the most praise from the community following launch. Early reactions have focused on the feel of combat, the animation of attacks, and the satisfaction of successfully landing well-timed counters. Boss fights have also been highlighted, with many encounters requiring players to learn enemy attack patterns rather than simply relying on their character's strength.

These community reactions also line up with the professional reviews released around launch. Combat and boss fights are frequently considered some of the game's strongest points, while the more critical opinions mainly focus on certain exploration areas, collectible content, and the overall pacing of the journey. This suggests that Way of the Sword is not a flawless experience, but its core gameplay is making a strong impression — something especially important for a long-running action franchise like Onimusha.

The level of player interest is also reflected in the game's concurrent player count on Steam during its first day. The number quickly climbed into the tens of thousands, showing that the game is attracting not only players familiar with the older entries but also a new audience.

Of course, it is still too early to say that Onimusha: Way of the Sword has delivered a perfect comeback. The game has only been out for a few hours, and community sentiment could change as more players progress further into the experience. Still, seeing the game's core elements receive positive reactions is an encouraging start.

After such a long absence, Onimusha finally has a new game to continue its journey. These early signs suggest that Way of the Sword could be the comeback longtime fans have been waiting for.

If you're also wondering whether this comeback is worth the nearly two decades of waiting, visit the game's official website to learn more, and don't forget to check out our price comparison platform to buy Onimusha: Way of the Sword and step into a life-or-death battle against the Genma.