Onimusha: Way of the Sword is a third-person action-adventure game set in a dark fantasy version of Edo-period Kyoto. Players control Miyamoto Musashi, a samurai who arrives in the capital to test his sword skills only to confront an outbreak of malevolent forces known as Genma. The story follows his journey through blood-soaked streets and historic sites twisted by malice, as he wields the Oni Gauntlet to battle supernatural threats and rival swordsmen.
Gameplay
Combat forms the core of the experience. Musashi relies on light and heavy sword strikes, a guard stance, timed parries, and deflects that chip away at enemy stamina. Successful parries build momentum for stronger follow-ups, while precise dodges against unarmed attacks trigger reflex counters. The signature Issen technique demands an attack input at the exact moment before an enemy strike lands, delivering instant kills on regular foes or heavy damage and stagger on larger threats. Chaining multiple Issen strikes becomes possible after unlocking related skills.
The Oni Gauntlet absorbs three types of souls from defeated Genma. Yellow souls restore health, red souls fund upgrades to weapons and abilities, and blue souls power Oni Armaments for high-damage special attacks. Oni Vision reveals hidden enemies and paths, while later awakenings grant strength to break barriers or agility for new traversal options. Exploration mixes linear stages with a central hub at Rokudou Chinno-ji temple, where players return between missions to upgrade equipment and advance the narrative through interactions with supporting characters.
Environmental interaction adds variety. Tables or doors can serve as temporary shields, and certain attacks allow players to target specific limbs on bosses to disable moves or harvest extra souls. The system rewards reading enemy tells and choosing the right defensive response rather than spamming combos.
Game Modes
The game runs as a single-player campaign with three difficulty settings. Story mode offers a gentler introduction suited to players new to the combat rhythm. Action mode serves as the standard experience with balanced enemy aggression. Masacre mode unlocks after completing the story and delivers a stricter challenge for those who have mastered parries, deflects, and Issen timing.
Progression follows a linear structure through distinct districts and temples, punctuated by boss encounters and occasional environmental puzzles. New abilities open previously inaccessible routes in earlier areas, encouraging limited backtracking without turning the game into an open world. No cooperative or competitive modes exist.
Story and Setting
Kyoto appears as a once-peaceful capital now shrouded in dread. Landmarks such as Kiyomizu-dera Temple retain recognizable architecture yet take on an eerie tone under the influence of Malice. Genma emerge from the underworld to terrorize residents, forcing Musashi into gritty duels against both demonic hordes and skilled human opponents. The narrative emphasizes his search for purpose amid relentless violence, with the sentient Oni Gauntlet serving as both power source and mysterious companion.
Character designs draw from historical inspiration, most notably using the likeness of Toshiro Mifune for Musashi. Rival swordsmen and powerful Genma bosses present martial challenges that test the same defensive timing required against regular enemies.
Is It Worth Playing?
The game delivers a focused single-player action-adventure centered on precise, rhythmic sword combat. Reviewers highlight the depth of the defensive toolkit and the satisfaction of landing Issen counters after practice. The campaign lasts roughly 20 to 30 hours depending on exploration and difficulty chosen, with strong visual presentation on PS5 through detailed environments and character animations.
Reception has been strongly positive, with widespread praise for combat feel and storytelling. The title suits players who enjoy methodical action games that reward timing and observation over button mashing. Those seeking multiplayer features or expansive open-world systems will find the experience more contained. Availability on PS5 includes performance and quality graphics modes, allowing players to prioritize frame rate or resolution based on preference.
