„One burning question” Onimusha: Way of the Sword gameplay showcase sets a dark tone at Summer Game Fest
Onimusha: Way of the Sword has shown several trailers since the Game Awards. Summer Game Fest's gameplay showcase left me wondering what tone it was going for.
Capcom continues to create high-quality video games with a consistency rarely found at the triple-A level. This past weekend, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I attended the Capcom theater presentation. Thankfully, all three games delivered; you can also read my Onimusha: Way of the Sword, the presentation was live gameplay from a member of the development team. Onimusha: Way of the Sword appears to be a great cinematic action game, but I have one burning question that still requires some clarity.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword live gameplay presentation sets dark, brutal tone for the highly anticipated game
The first trailer for Onimusha: Way of the Sword appeared at last year’s Game Awards showcase. This was a much more humorous tone. Then, this weekend, the half-hour live gameplay returned to a dark, somber tone. The protagonist, Miyamoto Musashi, watches as at least half a dozen villagers are killed in front of him by Genma, monstrosities from the underworld. Musashi also witnesses a scene from the past, where Genma forced the villagers to throw people off the side of a temple. So, what kind of tone is Onimusha: Way of the Sword trying to set?
Compared to many other modern action games, Onimusha: Way of the Sword is going for something more cinematic. It’s easy to tell that the player is meant to feel like a skilled samurai, especially against more common opponents. The gameplay revealed two formidable opponents, highlighting the moments where the game features a more punishing difficulty. But there are many ways to dispatch weaker enemies quickly. Deflect arrows, counterattack, and use a powerful strike that can give that classic samurai slice, where the enemy is still for a moment, then falls into two pieces.
Fighting the Denma, deflecting arrows and swords.Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Developer: Capcom
Musashi seems to be portrayed somewhat like an anti-hero. He is reluctantly stuck with the powers of the Oni Gauntlet, and while he may not be the first to jump at being a hero, this gameplay showed that he at least does have a heart and an instinct to save people. Near the end of the gameplay demo, another gauntlet wielder, Sasaki Ganryu, ambushes Musashi. This swordsman has given in to the power of the gauntlet, letting it corrupt him. After a tense fight, the developers hinted that this likely wouldn’t be the last we see of Ganryu. I am interested to see how the dynamic between these two characters is explored.
Another gauntlet , Ganryu.Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Developer: Capcom
After fighting Ganryu, Musashi finds the source of the area’s corruption. A powerful enemy, a Byakue, emerges from the underworld. This boss fight has a deadly mechanic at play. The Byakue is covered in ceremonial papers; the more blood on the papers, the more powerful the Byakue becomes. So, it’s best to deal with a Byakue as quickly as possible. Fortunately, at least during the presentation I attended, Musashi, controlled live by one of the developers, was able to defeat the Byakue and remove the corruption from the temple and the surrounding area.
Boss battle with a Byakue.Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Developer: Capcom
Visually, Onimusha reminded me of another Capcom game, Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess. It’s the same developer, taking on relatively similar subjects, so it’s bound to happen. But last year, Kunitsu-Gami was one of the most beautiful games to be released, so I consider it a noteworthy compliment. The gameplay from Summer Game Fest took place in the real world, and from the Summer Game Fest trailer, it looks like Musashi will be traveling to some less-than-earthly realms at some point in the story. I look forward to seeing what remarkable visuals this team can create.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword is scheduled for release in 2026. For now, we’ll have to wait to hear more from Capcom about this exciting revival of a fan-favorite franchise. When Onimusha: Way of the Sword launches, it will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam. Thanks to Capcom for the opportunity to get an early look at Onimusha: Way of the Sword.
