After a 20-year hiatus since its last installment, Onimusha: Way of the Sword is poised for release, aiming to redefine the swordplay action genre. Capcom producer Akihito Kadowaki stated that the development team's intention is to create "the pinnacle of swordplay action games." However, success for the game is not being measured solely by traditional sales figures.
Kadowaki explained that while appealing to existing fans is important, the primary goal is to make the game accessible to a broader audience, including those new to action games. To facilitate this, the team has implemented modular difficulty settings, offering options for story and action modes, with further granular adjustments available. "We want them to feel they can jump in, explore, and enjoy this kind of game," Kadowaki noted, expressing a desire for players to be able to see the game through to completion.
Capcom views a significant global player base, the introduction of new players to the action genre, and a high rate of game completion as indicators of success for the Onimusha series. This approach diverges from an emphasis on sales numbers, particularly when compared to Capcom's more established franchises like Resident Evil, Monster Hunter, and Street Fighter, which have sold millions of units. The Onimusha series, in contrast, has sold just over 9 million units across its titles.
Given the substantial gap since the last release, Onimusha: Way of the Sword is being positioned more as a fresh start for the franchise rather than a direct continuation, though it retains the core Onimusha identity. Further details and insights into Capcom's return to the Onimusha universe are expected as part of Game Informer's ongoing coverage.