Motohide Eshiro, who served as planner for the original Onimusha: Warlords and director for Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny, has expressed his surprise and admiration for the evolution of the Onimusha series and the action genre over the past two decades. Eshiro, now in a producer role at Capcom, shared his thoughts on the upcoming Onimusha: Way of the Sword during a visit to Capcom’s Osaka headquarters, where he spoke alongside Way of the Sword director Satoru Nihei.
Eshiro noted that the Way of the Sword team has successfully captured the essence of Japanese swordplay, particularly highlighting the satisfying feel of combat maneuvers like the 'Issen.' He described the new game's action as an evolution from the base game while maintaining core elements, contributing to a more realistic swordplay experience. Nihei, in turn, expressed a degree of nervousness and pressure hearing Eshiro's positive assessment, referring to him as a legend in the series' history.
Reflecting on current technology, Eshiro conveyed his impressiveness with what the Way of the Sword development team has achieved. He stated his confidence that the project is in capable hands and expressed excitement for players to experience the game. For those eager to learn more about the series' trajectory, Eshiro recommended revisiting the remasters of Onimusha: Warlords and Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny. He believes these titles demonstrate the series' progression over 20 years.
The original Onimusha: Warlords, with its codename "Sengoku Biohazard," drew comparisons to Resident Evil for its setting and gameplay, albeit with samurai and swords. Its successor, Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny, expanded the scope with features like a friendship system and branching narrative paths, elements still considered notable in game design history.
Capcom is preparing for a significant return for the Onimusha franchise, with Game Informer dedicating extensive coverage to Onimusha: Way of the Sword, including exclusive gameplay videos and behind-the-scenes content. Players looking to bridge the gap before the new release may find Eshiro's recommendation to play the remasters a valuable way to appreciate the series' enduring appeal.