In a recent interview with Famitsu, Capcom revealed new details about Onimusha: Way of the Sword, the Onimusha franchise’s first new mainline entry in 20 years.
Director Satoru Nihei and producer Akihito Kadowaki confirmed that the new Onimusha will stick to the series’ roots with linear story/stage progression, rather than opting for an open-world approach. They give a rough estimate of about 20 hours to clear the game, while confirming that the game will include not only action, but some gameplay elements that will force players to use their heads (although, they do not clarify if this will expand upon previous entries’ puzzles).
Also true to the Onimusha IP’s spirit, Way of the Sword emphasizes satisfying sword action with realistic feedback. So much so that the producer is pretty sure the game will fetch a CERO Z (ages 18 and over) rating in Japan. This is largely due to the game including depictions of dismemberment and bloodshed (although players will be able to toggle whether this is displayed or not via settings).
In terms of gameplay, the newest entry will inherit existing mechanics like Deadly Strikes (Criticals) and the Issen system. Successfully parrying several times will temporarily power up your sword, giving you the upper hand against enemies, Nihei explains. In terms of difficulty, Capcom is not sure yet whether it will implement difficulty selection, but is aiming for a level that’s balanced and will be neither too easy nor too punishing for the average player.
This could be a divisive point for hardcore fans of the series, but story-wise, Onimusha: Way of the Sword will basically be a reboot, meaning it will have few connections to previous titles. This is meant to assure that newcomers can ease right into the latest entry.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword is scheduled to release in 2026 for the PC (Steam), PS5 and Xbox Series X❘S.
