Onimusha is back. Capcom launches Onimusha: Way of the Sword this Friday, September 4, the first new canonical entry in the series in over two decades, on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. The release was originally set for September 25 before the publisher moved it up by three weeks, a clear sign of confidence in the launch.
For players new to the franchise, Onimusha is a cult action-adventure saga from the early PlayStation 2 era, blending swordplay, Japanese demons, and a dark samurai aesthetic. Way of the Sword marks its return to the spotlight at a time when demanding third-person action dominates AAA releases.
A haunted Kyoto, a reimagined Musashi
The game casts players as a fictionalized version of Musashi Miyamoto, the legendary historical swordsman, thrust into an Edo-era Kyoto overrun by supernatural clouds of "Malice." The city is besieged by the Genma, the series' signature demons, which longtime fans will recognize instantly.
According to developers interviewed by the gaming press, casting Musashi wasn't an obvious choice; the character was initially meant to be an anonymous samurai. Capcom ultimately settled on a globally recognizable figure while keeping the authentically Japanese setting and dark-fantasy atmosphere the series is known for.
A strong critical reception
Early reviews, published in late August once embargoes lifted, paint an overwhelmingly favorable picture. The game launched with a score of 85 on Metacritic and 86 on OpenCritic, buoyed by glowing coverage from several outlets, IGN chief among them.
PC Gamer sums up the general mood without mincing words:
"Onimusha: Way of the Sword rips. The game honors the legacy of the originals with thrilling, satisfying swordplay paired with a gripping story."
Not every review is glowing across the board; outlets like GameRant point to an uneven narrative pace outside of combat, which they describe as "sharp as a katana." Still, the consensus is clear: a successful comeback that stays true to the franchise's spirit while modernizing its combat and parry mechanics.
Key takeaways
- Release: September 4, 2026, on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, and PC
- Genre: third-person action-adventure, sword-based combat
- Setting: Edo-period Kyoto, overrun by Genma demons
- Critical reception: very positive (85 Metacritic / 86 OpenCritic to date)
After several quieter attempts at a revival in recent years, Capcom appears to have finally delivered the comeback Onimusha needed with Way of the Sword. It's enough to give lasting new life to a saga many had written off for good.
