Very early into Onimusha: Way of the Sword, protagonist Miyamoto Musashi pronounces his desire to follow 'the way of the sword,' a traditional Japanese philosophical path of mastering the samurai sword. It's fitting considering the Onimusha titles have long focused on skilled samurai mastering the katana to defeat demons and save Japan from the forces of hell. It's also fitting that, as the first mainline installment in two decades, Onimusha: Way of the Sword concentrates on connecting the player with the katana, learning to become its master once again through the clashing of blades in the heat of the action.
Helping Onimusha: Way of the Sword is Capcom's track record over the past generation. The developer and publisher has done such a fantastic job reviving franchises like Resident Evil and Devil May Cry, and launching new IP like Pragmata, that it's difficult not to have high expectations for Onimusha. Does Capcom walk the way of the sword and successfully resurrect Onimusha, or should Onimusha: Way of the Sword be banished to hell with the Genma?
Onimusha: Way of the Sword takes place in a dark fantasy version of Kyoto during the Edo period. You play as legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi who, after being cut down by demon soldiers known as Genma, is resurrected by the mysterious Oni Gauntlet and given the strength to slay these demonic creatures. Drawn to Kyoto, Musashi is forcefully drawn into a centuries-long conflict between the mortal world and hell that threatens to destroy reality.
Way of the Sword's narrative is silly, serious, and, above all else, filled with an enormous amount of heart and humanity. At its core, Way of the Sword is about three characters, Musashi, Ganryu, and the antagonist, all wanting to grow in strength, but going about it in completely different ways. It all ties back to that saying, 'way of the sword,' where discipline, strategy, and self-improvement are key to finding strength.
Helping the narrative out is a strong cast of supporting characters, each helping Musashi walk the path of the sword. Takamura represents the discipline Musashi needs, providing sage advice in the heat of battle. Shuzika brings strategy, helping Musashi hone his blade into a lethal instrument. Finally, as the youngest member of the group, Okuni is a reminder that, no matter your age, there's always room to improve yourself. Together, each brilliantly help Musashi through his character arc, molding him into the best version of himself by the time the credits roll.
On the opposite end of the spectrum are the antagonists, each representing what Musashi could become should he stray from the path. Charismatic, over-the-top, and downright evil, the antagonists of Way of the Sword are pure joy to watch and duel. Excellent writing, brilliant performances, and wonderful presentation create some truly memorable characters.
Overall, Onimusha: Way of the Sword's narrative is compelling. Musashi's journey from cocky swordsman to a hero looking to save the world is excellent and difficult to put down. From his interactions with his allies to the duels with his diabolical foes, Way of the Sword weaves a compelling story from start to finish.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword mostly follows the structure of its predecessors with a handful of modern flourishes. The best way to describe it is "wide linear," in that the game features a linear progression model for its main missions while also offering a hub world for more open exploration. As a result, Way of the Sword can take you anywhere from 15-30 hours to complete, depending on how you choose to play.
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