Onimusha: Way of the Sword is bringing back a franchise that’s been dormant for years, and while the game won’t arrive until this September, it looks like it’ll continue the incredible run Capcom has had this year. CBR was able to play an hour of the new Onimusha at Summer Game Fest Play Days, and so far, it looks perfect for both Soulslike fans and people who don’t normally like them.
While there’s currently an Onimusha: Way of the Sword demo available on all storefronts, the preview CBR played offered different content, including a boss fight. With solid combat and multiple difficulty settings, Onimusha is the rare action game that truly has mass appeal.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword Is a Soulslike For Gamers Who Don’t Like Them
After seeing footage of Onimusha: Way of the Sword, many gamers will assume it’s a soulslike, but the reality is a little more complicated than that. On the surface, the structure and overall concept resemble what players expect from the genre. Even the menu and item management feel closer to Elden Ring and similar games.
Still, Onimusha doesn’t come across as especially punishing. The preview offered two difficulty settings: story and action. Including a proper story mode is a major plus for players who want a more manageable experience without feeling constantly overwhelmed.
Regular enemies aren’t too difficult to deal with, since the parry window is fairly generous. That was only on action difficulty, which makes story mode seem even more approachable. Of course, it’s arguable that Onimusha‘s approach made things feel a little too comfortable, because the next section was much tougher on me.
Onimusha’s Boss Battle Was Stunning and Thrilling
Onimusha‘s boss battle is where the game’s difficulty truly kicks in. I’ll say this: the boss itself is stunning to look at. Its design is a mix of all the body parts it has collected, making it both creative and deeply creepy. The creature also has a great backstory where it’s manipulated villagers into cutting off their own limbs.
Beyond the monster’s memorable design, the boss fight itself was one of the most unforgettable moments of my time at SGF. The battle teaches players the importance of parrying, as timing it correctly can deal serious damage. It was tough from the start, but after I finally beat it, I got cocky and fist-bumped someone from Capcom, right before they said the dreaded words: “second wave.”
My hopes immediately went down the drain as the monster killed me almost instantly. From there, it became another process of timing my attacks while trying to maintain my health. The preview came down to the wire: the monster slashed my health down to almost nothing while it still had half of its second wave left. Somehow, I lined up my attacks and, with only 1% health remaining, defeated the boss.
Words can’t fully express the rush and jubilation of winning as everyone watched and celebrated. Of course, this is just one battle in Onimusha: Way of the Sword. If the full game carries that same energy, I’m confident my time with the upcoming Onimusha will be just as thrilling.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword is set to release on September 25 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.
- Released
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September 25, 2026
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ / Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, In-Game Purchases
- Developer(s)
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Capcom
- Publisher(s)
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Capcom
- Engine
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RE Engine
- Prequel(s)
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Onimusha 3: Demon Siege
- Franchise
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Onimusha