Capcom's 2026 hot streak continues with another thrilling reboot in Onimusha Way of the Sword, which takes the best of past games and mixes in plenty of modern improvements.12:00, 01 Sep 2026Updated 12:03, 01 Sep 2026The legendary Onimusha series returns on top-form, infusing incredibly in-depth swordplay action with a beautiful version of Kyoto to explore and memorable characters to meet.‌If there's a third-party publisher working today that knows a thing or two about how to revive a long-dormant (or previously fledgling) franchise it's Capcom. Having already done the business in 2017 with Resident Evil: Biohazard and then two years later with Devil May Cry 5, Capcom's long list of iconic franchises are seemingly now just all awaiting for a similar reboot appraisal across an assembly line. So far it's a process that's been infallible. Thanks in part to the flexibility of the in-house RE Engine, but also the influx of new creative talent now championing these modernisations.‌Enter Onimusha: Way of the Sword, the first new entry in the sword-based, supernatural demon-slaying series for two decades, which similarly looks at the franchise's core staples with fresh eyes and reappraises them for today’s audience. In a lesser studio's hands such a task would seem intimidating.‌However, somehow, yet again, Capcom has brought Onimusha up to date wonderfully, re-assessing how sword combat can work outside of the oh-so popular (and largely played out) Soulslike template while once again making you feel like a badass as the gauntlet-wearing Onimusha. Simply put, thanks to a thoughtful combination of expressive combat options, fun and rewarding exploration, and inventive bosses aplenty, the 20-year wait was most definitely worth it.Any Onimusha game is only as good as its swordplay, of course, and in this area Way of the Sword is an ingenious upgrade over what came before. Though there was a certain charm to the isometric, fixed-camera combat of the original PS2 games, the switch to an over-the-shoulder perspective a la Resident Evil 4 does well to better engross you in the up-close action.Better yet, taking down hordes of Genma demons with your blade isn't simply a case of attack, block, parry, repeat. Far from it! Way of the Sword certainly uses these familiar combat basics as a foundation, but then cleverly builds on them by forcing you to take note of your enemy's actions, and then react accordingly with all kinds of far quirkier button inputs - to the extent that engaging with foes often feels like a dance.‌Having an enemy rush at you, for instance, isn't best countered by a block. Instead, tapping the single- or two-handed attack button just before their blade cuts down on you is enough to get in with a stab first, while a well-timed parry can see you push them aside so you can then quickly follow-up.Unless, of course, they're coming in for a grab, at which point you can dodge to the side, which then leaves you room to mash down on them accordingly. Way of the Sword is the type of sword-based action game where you could probably get through most combat scenarios by mashing one or two attack buttons if you wanted to, but you'd be doing yourself a disservice.‌Rather, as any self-respecting samurai should, being efficient in fights is more about reading attacks and accounting for it using your generous suite combat tools, which if implemented correctly always makes you feel cool in the process. All this you must consider while always finding the time to suck up any red, blue, and yellow orbs your attacks produce, since most are needed to gain an edge over your enemy, be it in the form of currency to enhance your Sword, armour, and gauntlet accordingly or powering up your cooldown based Oni Armament weapon attacks.Sharpen your bladeAll these different combat options are on full display in every basic skirmish, true, but these learnings are essential to deploy in every single one of Way of the Sword’s tough-yet-thrilling boss battles. This is where Musashi’s samurai skills are truly tested, as you're often locked into an area with these giant behemoths trying to find the best way to break down their exhaustion meter.Whether it’s slicing off the overly handsy Rasho-gan’s many tentacles that appear to be the source of his power or trying to get behind Greater Nue to target the sacks on its back, all of Way of the Sword’s boss battles are a set piece in their own right, further leaning into the game’s inherent cinematic tendencies. Is it a shame that bosses have a tendency to eventually repeat? Absolutely, but I didn’t mind the odd rematch given the lessons I could now apply having faced them the first time.‌Elsewhere, these intense fights are broken up by fairly rewarding bouts of semi open-world exploration. The infection-riddled East Kyoto serves as the hub you regularly return to between the more traditional stages, where you’re given ample time to assist the local population from the raging Genma forces, chase down hidden collectibles, and open up new areas of the map after acquiring a new ability necessary for ridding the town of the Magicite plague.A lot of these extra activities you can skip if so choose, yet I always found myself inspired to dive in as much as possible given the empowering upgrades these exploits ultimately leads to and how well it shakes up the pacing compared to Way of the Sword’s overtly linear moments.‌The sublime swordplay and epic boss battles might take centre stage in Onimusha: Way of the Sword, no doubt, but this doesn’t mean that the story bolstering all this samurai badassery isn’t a good one. In fact, what could have been a good but still cliche take on the classic unexpected hero’s journey ultimately equates to much more, largely thanks to the supporting cast surrounding our lead hero, Musashi, and all the ways they educate him on why there’s more to being a warrior other than thinking about just yourself.Better yet, despite Musashi himself being a fish out of water, I couldn’t help but stay charmed by his general aloofness that stays consistent throughout his journey. A fact reinforced by my choice to play through Way of the Sword with an English dub, where he sports a thick Northern accent. I know this choice will be sacrilege to some players, but I’d encourage all to at least give it a try.In a year where Capcom has already released such high-quality games as Resident Evil Requiem, Pragmata, and Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, the cream of this crop has very much risen to the top in the form of Onimusha: Way of the Sword. It features some of the best swordplay I’ve seen in an action in years, and if that wasn’t enough, picking away at its supernatural world slaying demons is never a chore thanks to worthwhile upgrades to seek out, bosses that always provide a firm but fair challenge, and a surprisingly poignant story.Article continues belowSure, some repetition does settle in eventually and the difficulty curve is prone to unexpectedly spiking, but there’s no doubt Way of the Sword is the kind of franchise reboot Capcom’s long-gestating Onimusha series deserved.Rating: 4/5Onimusha: Way of the Sword is out on PS5, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2 on Thursday, September 3 .