| Onimusha: Way of the Sword | |||
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| Release Date | Gameplay & Story | Pre-Order & DLC | Review |
Onimusha: Way of the Sword is an upcoming action-adventure game featuring the great dual-blade swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi! Read on to learn how it plays, what it's about, and everything else we know so far.
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Onimusha: Way of the Sword Gameplay
Onimusha: Way of the Sword is a third-person action soulslike that puts players in the role of master swordsman Miyamoto Musashi as he journeys through a curse-ridden Kyoto. Shown during its recent Gamescom 2025 demo, the game emphasizes fast-paced, combat-driven encounters across enemy-filled gauntlets.
While it shares familiar elements with other titles in the genre, its design leans heavily toward reaction- and precision-based combat rather than direct, aggressive play.
Blocks, Parries, Dodges, and Breaking Issen
The defining aspect of Onimusha: Way of the Sword’s combat lies in its emphasis on speed and reactive play, fitting for a swordsman of Musashi’s caliber. While players are still encouraged to take the offensive, the game rewards sharp timing and quick reflexes, with various reactive options that lead to devastating outcomes.
Blocking consumes stamina from the stance bar, but executing a perfectly timed guard triggers a parry, opening the way for a lethal counterattack that can instantly fell most standard enemies. Dodging provides a similar advantage, briefly slowing time to give players an opening to unleash powerful skills in return.
Combat also features the “Break Issen” mechanic, which activates when an enemy’s stance bar is depleted through attacks or parries. Much like the stance break system in Sekiro, this leaves foes vulnerable to finishing moves, and even bosses can be staggered with enough pressure. For bosses in particular, when their guard is broken, players can target specific body parts to earn additional souls or even disable certain attacks.
Environmental Combat
Onimusha: Way of the Sword’s combat also incorporates environmental elements, giving players additional ways to outmaneuver enemies. Certain environmental hazards, such as burning ground, can ignite foes if they step into them, while interactive set pieces provide unique opportunities for offense. One example shown in the Gamescom 2025 demo featured Musashi toppling a cart to trample enemies in his path.
Soul Collection and Oni Armaments
Onimusha: Way of the Sword features a soul collection system, where players absorb energy from defeated enemies in three distinct forms. Yellow Souls restore health, Blue Souls act as currency for purchasing upgrades, and Red Souls power up special weapons known as Oni Armaments.
Oni Armaments are powerful, limited-use weapons that require charging before activation but deliver devastating attacks once unleashed. Defeating enemies with these weapons not only clears the battlefield quickly but also grants additional Yellow Souls, rewarding players with more healing opportunities for taking the risk of using them. These weapons include a bow, dual clubs, a spear, and more.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword Story Plot
Set in Kyoto during the Early Edo period—a time of relative peace in Japan's history—the ancient city has fallen under a dark curse brought forth by a plague of an incursion of demonic Gemma. A lone legendary swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi, set off on a journey to continue to master the sword, but met his end at the hands of this new threat.
Unwillingly, he accepts an Oni Gauntlet for his revival and must now purge the Genma from the land and reclaim peace once more. Along his mission, he will meet allies and face his old rival, Sasaki Ganryu.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword Characters
Miyamoto Musashi
A renowned swordsman of the Edo period and known in legend as a Sword Saint, Miyamoto Musashi serves as the central figure and player character in Onimusha: Way of the Sword. He is depicted as a disciplined warrior defined by his expertise with the dual-sword style and his pursuit of mastery. Within the game, Musashi functions as the player's eyes into an overrun and corrupted Kyoto.
Sasaki Ganryu
As the only swordsman said to rival Musashi's mastery of the blade, Sasaki Ganryu is portrayed in Onimusha: Way of the Sword as the Sword Saint's narrative foil and nemesis. Recognized for his distinctive long-bladed sword technique, Ganryu also serves as one of the game's boss fights, as shown during the game's live demo build showcased during Gamescom 2025.
Oni Lady
Oni Lady is housed inside Musashi’s Oni Gauntlet, supporting the warrior from within. She can appear before him at will, but reserves it for situations she deems necessary.
Izumo no Okuni
Izumo no Okuni is a young Kabuki dancer who came to Ono no Takamura seeking power to destroy the Genma. While she is famous throughout the city for her performances, she hasn’t returned to the stage for a while.
Ono no Takamura
Ono no Takamura is an old master swordsman capable of destroying Genma with ease. He wields an Oni Gauntlet as well, similar to both Musashi and Ganryu.
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