Onimusha: Way of the Sword Impresses in Review, Called Best in Series

The reviewer spent 30 hours with the game, praising its addictive combat, exceptional parry and sword-clash animations, fantastic sound design, good enemy variety, and a hard mode for New Game Plus. Strong character development was also highlighted. However, the review also noted several drawbacks: many enemy encounters are too easy, there are too many repeated boss battles, and the switch from beautiful cutscenes to in-game dialogue moments is jarring. The game also offers only one primary weapon.

The story follows Miyamoto Musashi, a confident young samurai aiming to become the strongest swordsman, and his rival Sasaki Ganryu. When their encounter goes wrong, both are drawn into a conflict as demons (Genma) seep into Kyoto, Japan, threatening humanity's attempt to repel them. Musashi wields Oni gauntlets, granting him superhuman strength, and must learn whether power derived from sacrifice is honorable.

The reviewer noted that Musashi's character development, reinforced by the face model of the late Toshiro Mifune, is one of the game's strongest aspects. The cutscenes are phenomenal in detail, making the experience feel cinematic, though this also makes the transition back to regular gameplay visuals jarring. The review concludes that Capcom has successfully revitalized the franchise with modern elements via the RE Engine.