Capcom's fantasy action game, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, has quickly ascended to the top of Steam's sales charts, achieving the No. 1 selling spot just days after its release. The game, which places players in a reimagined Edo-period Kyoto, initially debuted at No. 6 on Steam. According to SteamDB, it recorded 40,000 active players on its launch day, a significant figure that was surpassed over the weekend.
By Saturday, the number of active players had risen to 74,575, propelling it past other new releases and established titles. This launch marks Capcom's return to the Onimusha franchise, with the last mainline installment having been released in 2006.
Critical reception for Onimusha: Way of the Sword has been largely positive, with a Metacritic score of 85 reflecting "mostly positive" reviews. While players have shown strong engagement, some critics have pointed to issues with combat repetitiveness. Polygon's Giovanni Colantoni noted that while the game offers enjoyable moments, the combat system and mission structure can become routine, citing extended playtime due to busywork and recycled boss encounters.
ScreenRant's Chris Carter echoed concerns about boss and enemy variety but ultimately found these shortcomings did not detract significantly from the overall experience. He suggested that the game offers substantial depth for fans of action titles, particularly when played at higher difficulties.
IGN's Will Borger offered strong praise, highlighting the immersive combat and the intense connection between the player and the in-game character, Miyamoto Musashi. He described moments where the gameplay creates a singular focus on move and counter-move, emphasizing the high stakes and rewarding nature of each encounter.