Capcom’s upcoming action title, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, recently offered a terrifying glimpse into the mind of its antagonist, Dokyo, through a playable stage set within her underground laboratory. This environment, described by director Satoru Nihei as akin to a "classic Japanese ghost house," serves as a backdrop for horrific experiments and intricate combat encounters.
The lab itself is a grim spectacle, with shadows cast on shoji screens highlighting the unsettling results of failed human and animal experiments. Blood stains the halls, illuminated by the dim glow of torches, while ancient kimonos hang from the rafters, suggesting a grim history tied to Dokyo's machinations. Dokyo herself is presented as a chilling figure – a shrill, petulant, yet undeniably evil Genma who is far more advanced than the typical demonic hordes. She resides beneath Kyoto's imperial castle, actively working to create even more formidable Genma through unholy experiments.
This stage also serves as a release from the game's tutorialization, allowing players to fully engage with Miyamoto Musashi's refined combat abilities. Way of the Sword introduces several mechanics designed to offer depth and player expression, moving beyond the simplicity of many contemporary action titles. The returning Issen, a difficult-to-master counter-attack that requires precise timing, is still a central element. Complementing this are the standard Parry, which builds the Blazing Gauge for increased sword damage, and the Reflex Dodge, which charges the Reflex Gauge for powerful counter-attacks.
Further complexity is added with the Break Issen, a devastating move usable after depleting an enemy's stamina, which can be hastened by deflecting attacks. The game also features Chain Issen attacks for multi-enemy takedowns and stealthy backstab insta-kills for unsuspecting foes. A Blade Barrage occurs when both player and enemy initiate the same attack type, requiring a different subsequent sword attack to break the stalemate and inflict damage. Grab reversals and Oni Armaments, powered-up bumper attacks with varied effects, add further strategic layers.
Animation team lead Hiroshi Yugen elaborated on the Issen's evolution, noting that the team aimed for a more grounded and realistic feel compared to previous titles, with approximately ten variations depending on attack angles. The goal was to translate the larger-than-life moments seen in past Onimusha cutscenes directly into gameplay. This ambition is realized through the "Dynamic Dismemberment System," a technical feat developed for the RE Engine that allows for satisfying, often grotesque, enemy deaths, a feature that required significant engineering effort to combine with enemy death animations.
These advancements are showcased during the lab's boss encounters. The first boss, Byakue – Hundred Defilements, adapts and grows stronger as it's damaged, forcing players to adjust their tactics from aggressive assaults to a more calculated approach of observation and exploitation of openings. Defeating Byakue rewards Musashi with the Earth-Shaker hammers, which prove crucial for the subsequent boss fight against Nue, a pair of dual-chimera beasts. These creatures, one red and one blue, possess electric tails and necessitate a defensive strategy focused on parries, Reflex Dodges, and Issens, echoing the methodical combat found in some Souls-like titles, though the developers emphasize Onimusha is not a Souls-like.
Dokyo emerges as a standout character due to her terrifying charisma and compelling presence within her nightmarish, experimental lair. Capcom is continuing its extensive coverage of Onimusha: Way of the Sword, with further exclusive content planned, including gameplay and behind-the-scenes videos.