Onimusha: Way of the Sword Redefines the Art of the Parry

Let’s be honest, the “parry” mechanic has become ubiquitous in action games. What was once a unique and impactful combat maneuver has morphed into a standard feature, often feeling like an obligatory addition rather than a core element. Even James Bond can parry now, as if he’s a seasoned warrior facing down a formidable foe! But Capcom’s Onimusha: Way of the Sword proves that even tired mechanics can be revitalized with meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of what makes an action feel truly satisfying.

The Art of Deflection

Released on September 4th for consoles and Windows PC, Onimusha: Way of the Sword embraces industry trends by incorporating blocks, evasive dodges, and, yes, parries into its combat system. While this might sound familiar on paper, the game demonstrates that exceptional animation and sound design can elevate even commonplace mechanics to new heights. The parries in Way of the Sword are not just simple deflections; they’re visceral counter-attacks that exemplify Capcom’s commitment to crafting a truly immersive experience.

The action in Onimusha: Way of the Sword is built entirely around reaction and precision. As Miyamoto Musashi, players must learn to read their opponents’ every move and respond with deadly accuracy. Reflex dodges, Issen strikes, and blade locks all contribute to the feeling that you’ve truly mastered the art of the duel. And when your timing is right, you can always turn an enemy’s attack against them.

A Symphony of Steel

Image: Capcom

Naturally, sword deflection plays a crucial role in this dynamic, and Capcom understands that you can’t take a good parry for granted. When you successfully parry an attack in Way of the Sword, it’s more than just a simple “dink” sound effect. It’s a moment. Steel clashes with a resounding clang, sparks fly in every direction, and the DualSense controller rumbles intensely, conveying the sheer force required to execute the maneuver. The tighter your timing, the more intense these elements become. A perfect parry even slows down time, allowing you to fully savor the impact.

This symphony of steel is unbelievably satisfying. While I often find myself disliking parries in other games due to a lack of confidence in my reflexes, I found myself actively seeking them out in Way of the Sword simply to experience that feedback. Capcom makes it worthwhile, as successful deflections build Musashi’s Blazing State gauge and bring you closer to unleashing a powerful strike by chipping away at an enemy’s stamina. But even without that extra motivation, the shower of sparks is enough to keep me blocking.

More importantly than the aesthetic satisfaction, though, is how this seemingly small maneuver builds Musashi’s character. He doesn’s just feel like your average video game swordsman who can hit the same moves as any create-a-character. You get a real sense of his power and expertise every time he deflects an attack. My favorite detail is that he doesn’t even need to be facing an enemy directly to pull off a parry. Dynamic animations allow him to block with his back turned, resulting in him convincingly swinging his sword behind his back and twisting his body to push his enemy aside. It doesn’t feel mechanical, as it can in so many action games. There’s a sense that Musashi is improvising in fights to ensure he always has the upper hand.

I can’t say that I’ve put this much thought into thinking about parries in other games. The move so often feels like an obligatory addition that’s there because that’s what modern players expect. Onimusha: Way of the Sword doesn’t take a single maneuver for granted, loading each one up with little details that build to a best-in-class combat system. You will believe that Musashi could crush any video game character in a duel.