Onimusha: Way of the Sword is a single-player action-adventure game developed by Capcom for the Nintendo Switch 2 and other platforms. Players take control of Miyamoto Musashi as he battles supernatural threats in a twisted version of Edo-period Kyoto.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on precise sword combat in third-person perspective. Musashi wields a katana for light and heavy attacks that can be chained into combos, while a dodge, block, and parry system forms the defensive foundation. Timing a strike just as an enemy attacks triggers the Issen counter, which interrupts foes and opens them to follow-up damage. The Oni Gauntlet absorbs souls from defeated Genma, with blue souls powering special Oni Armaments for area effects or heavy strikes. A bow provides ranged options, and skill trees allow upgrades to attacks, defenses, and gauntlet abilities. Exploration mixes linear stages with semi-open areas around Kyoto landmarks like Kiyomizu-dera Temple, where players complete side activities and collect items. The game runs at a locked 30 frames per second on Switch 2 by default, with an optional variable 30-40 frames per second mode available in both docked and handheld play.
Game Modes
The experience is built entirely around a single-player campaign. Players progress through a story-driven sequence of stages filled with combat encounters, exploration, and occasional side quests in the Kyoto hub. Two difficulty options shape the campaign: Story mode offers more forgiving damage and parry windows for narrative focus, while Action mode demands tighter timing and higher skill. New Game Plus unlocks a harder difficulty for replay. No separate multiplayer or competitive modes exist; all content ties into the main progression and optional exploration tasks.
Story and Setting
The narrative follows young samurai Miyamoto Musashi, whose face is modeled after Toshiro Mifune, as he arrives in Kyoto seeking to prove his swordsmanship. Malevolent clouds of Malice have overrun the historic capital, summoning Genma fiends from the underworld. Musashi receives the Oni Gauntlet, a sentient artifact that grants superhuman strength and the ability to harvest enemy souls. The tale unfolds through gritty battles against formidable Genma and rival swordsmen, exploring themes of purpose and fate amid the eerie, shrine-filled city. Side content expands on the world through repeatable tasks and character interactions without altering the central path.
Is It Worth Playing?
Reviews describe the combat as highly satisfying and technically deep, with strong emphasis on parry timing, animations, and boss encounters that reward observation and precision. The game earned generally favorable to universal acclaim across platforms, including strong marks for the Switch 2 version, and sold over one million copies on its launch day. It suits players who enjoy deliberate, momentum-based swordplay in a dark fantasy historical setting rather than fast-paced hack-and-slash or punishing souls-like systems. The roughly 20-hour main campaign, extendable to around 30 hours with side content, delivers consistent action focused on one core loop. Those seeking intense single-player sword duels and atmospheric exploration of a corrupted Kyoto will find it a strong fit, while players preferring multiplayer options or open-world freedom may find the structure more contained.