The series' first new installment in nearly two decades, Onimusha: Way of the Sword returns to a dark fantasy feudal Japan where samurai clash with the supernatural in cutting-edge combat.Onimusha is rooted in the Sengoku period, Japan’s legendary age of warring states. The games infuse history with Japanese folklore to tell tales of warriors who wield the mystical power of the Oni.
These heroes are drawn into conflict with the Genma, relentless monsters hellbent on conquering the world. The franchise debuted in 2001 and instantly captivated players with its satisfying sword-based combat and exhilarating “Issen” counterattack mechanics.
The series also gained recognition for its spellbinding stories portraying historical figures and real events in a dark fantasy setting. Now, having grown in popularity as one of Capcom’s best-selling properties, Onimusha is entering a whole new era.
Onimusha: Way Of The Sword takes place in Kyoto during the early Edo period. In this time of relative peace for Japan, Malice has befallen the ancient city. Twisted into an eerie and unsettling place, Kyoto has been infested by the demonic Genma.
A flashy new trailer for Onimusha: Way of the Sword debuted in today’s showcase, delving into an eerie new locale within its dark fantasy world. The latest footage also revealed monstrous enemies and unsheathed a slice of the combat mechanics at the core of the swordplay action.
Deep beneath the game’s setting of Kyoto is a secret laboratory where a sinister and enigmatic entity known as Dokyo toils away creating new Genma. Her twisted creations include:
- Greater Nue: A ferocious, Chimeric beast that can harness the power of lightning.
- Kogashira: Humans warped by parasitic Genma that create poisonous clouds of Malice.
- Chijiko: A grotesque mass of interwoven human faces with far-reaching tentacles.
To carve a path through these abominations, protagonist Musashi Miyamoto wields his own powers, including the iconic Issen and Soul Absorption abilities at the core of the Onimusha™ experience:
Deflect: A defensive action that reflects attacks back at enemies – including projectiles.
Parry: Well-timed blocks parrying incoming attacks can stagger foes, create openings for counterattacks, and even knock enemies back into their allies or terrain.
Blazing State: A temporary offensive power-up triggered by landing multiple parries that also generates Blue Souls fueling special attacks using Oni Power.
Soul Absorption: Choose the right moment in the heat of battle to absorb the souls of defeated foes to recover health, enhance equipment, unlock new abilities, and more.
Issen: Strike enemies a split-second before they land a blow to unleash this high-risk, high-reward counterattack that is an iconic element of the Onimusha series.
The trailer also provides a glimpse of combat beyond swordplay, including archery and a dual-edged blade with a whirlwind attack.
Onimusha: Way Of The Sword is coming to for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam) in 2026.
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