Capcom's long-dormant Onimusha series makes its return with Onimusha: Way of the Sword, a samurai action game that has garnered generally positive reception from critics. The title revives the franchise after a 20-year hiatus, and early reviews indicate it may be another success for Capcom's current prolific output.

At the time of reporting, Onimusha: Way of the Sword holds a Metacritic score of 86, placing it among the company's recent high-profile releases. Reviewers have largely lauded the game's fresh take on action combat, describing it as weighty and meticulous. The boss fights are frequently cited as exhilarating, and the combat system is noted for its depth, requiring players to continually learn and adapt techniques long after the initial tutorials.

Beyond its core gameplay, the game's storytelling and animation have also received praise. Specific attention has been given to Capcom's successful integration of Toshiro Mifune's likeness and mannerisms into the character of Musashi, a delicate undertaking handled with notable skill.

However, many reviews point to a significant criticism: the game's pacing is sometimes hampered by a lack of enemy variety and the frequent reintroduction of previously defeated mini-bosses. This repetition, some critics argue, can make the experience feel padded and detract from the narrative's more compelling elements. While the combat is strong enough to carry many encounters, the reliance on recurring foes has been a point of contention, with some reviewers feeling that a more streamlined adventure exists within the game's structure.

One critique suggests that in an effort to appeal to modern audiences, Capcom has altered the series' original identity. This includes a shift from interconnected environments to an open world populated with side missions and collectibles, and a complex upgrade system with multiple currencies, which some feel detracts from the original's focused resource management and decision-making in combat. This approach has led to a game that, for some, feels conflicted.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword is scheduled for release on September 4 for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.