For a decade, Capcom has been on an incredible run, and “Onimusha: Way of the Sword” is a testament to why this publisher keeps hitting it out of the park.
A Legacy Reborn
After two decades of dormancy, the return of “Onimusha” is a significant event. While there have been remasters and spin-off projects, the core series has remained largely untouched since 2006’s “Dawn of Dreams.” That game introduced a fully 3D camera, a departure from the fixed perspectives of earlier entries, much like the original “Resident Evil” games.
The first “Onimusha,” released in 2001, was essentially “Resident Evil” with samurai. Set within a castle, it focused on puzzle-solving, unlocking doors, and resource management – survival horror at its finest. Shinji Mikami, co-creator of “Resident Evil,” even advised on the project. While subsequent entries moved away from this formula, “Onimusha: Way of the Sword” could have easily returned to those roots, creating a samurai-themed remake of “Resident Evil 2.”
Beyond Samurai Horror
“Onimusha: Way of the Sword,” however, isn’t just “Resident Evil” with samurai. It’s Capcom’s take on modern action-adventure games like Sony Santa Monica Studio’s “God of War.” The game features intense melee combat, monstrous bosses, hidden treasures, and a talkative advisor – all hallmarks of contemporary gaming.
This approach is consistent with Capcom’s broader strategy. The success of “Resident Evil 7” wasn’s just about returning to the series’ roots; it was also influenced by games like Frictional Games’ “Amnesia: The Dark Descent,” which demonstrated how limited vision could create a terrifying atmosphere, and Hideo Kojima’s “PT,” which turned a simple corridor into a looping nightmare. Similarly, “Monster Hunter: World” transformed a niche franchise into a global phenomenon by adopting the open-world format popular in the West.
A Touch of Humor
In “Way of the Sword,” Capcom has successfully blended elements from various sources to create a unique identity for “Onimusha.” The game is surprisingly funny, with the protagonist, Miyamoto Musashi, delivering one-liners reminiscent of Nathan Drake. His expressive face, modeled after legendary actor Toshiro Mifune, adds to the comedic effect.
While earlier “Onimusha” games had a campy feel, it was often unintentional. Capcom has deliberately embraced this element in “Way of the Sword,” turning it into a defining characteristic. The English dub, with its quirky British accents, further enhances the humor, transforming Musashi’s enemies into Kyoto-inspired orcs.
The Sekiro Influence
While “Onimusha: Way of the Sword” has moments of darkness and terror, it also aims to entertain. The game’s combat system draws heavily from FromSoftware’s masterpiece, “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.” Parrying is crucial, and mastering enemy attack patterns is key to victory. Like “Sekiro,” the game demands a delicate balance of offense and defense.
While some might argue that “Way of the Sword” is a “soulslike,” it’s important to note that it doesn’t fully embrace that genre. Bonfires, world resets, and XP loss are absent. Regular enemies are relatively easy, and there are no poison swamps. This ensures that the game isn’t as grueling as FromSoftware’s titles, even when facing challenging bosses.
A Winning Formula
Capcom’s success with “Monster Hunter” and “Resident Evil” stems from its ability to adapt popular trends while remaining true to its core identity. “Monster Hunter: World” expanded its horizons without sacrificing the focus on hunting, while “Resident Evil 7” adopted elements from “Amnesia,” “PT,” and “Alien: Isolation” but added guns – a staple of the franchise.
The resurrection of “Onimusha” promises to be another success story for Capcom. With its blend of familiar elements and innovative features, the game has already garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. Here’s hoping that “Onimusha” is back to stay, and that its next installment will feature an experience as terrifyingly brilliant as “Resident Evil 7″‘s House Beneviento.
What franchise would you like to see return?
It’s this ability to reinterpret trends that has made Capcom so successful. They understand both the appeal of these trends and how to adapt them in a way that is appropriate for the IP. “Onimusha: Way of the Sword” is a perfect example of this, and it promises to be another hit for Capcom.
It remains to be seen if Capcom’s resurrection of its long-dormant samurai game will be quite as financially successful as its Resident Evil and Monster Hunter revitalizations, but it’s clear that the Capcom formula has worked beautifully for “Onimusha: Way of the Sword.” It has launched to near-universal critical adoration, and its impressive pre-release demo quickly earned it a legion of eager fans. With any luck, “Onimusha” is back, and its next game will feature whatever the swordplay equivalent to House Beneviento is.
Matt Purslow is IGN’s Executive Editor of Features.
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