Capcom has moved the release date for its upcoming samurai action battler, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, forward to September 4. The decision aims to steer the game clear of a heavily congested release window in late September. Initially slated for a September 25th launch, the new date positions the game to launch a day after The Blood of Dawnwalker and before titles like Control Resonant, Silent Hill: Townfall, and Garfield: Escape from Monday.
The shift also affects the game's pre-order bonus. What was previously a pre-order incentive of a Lion Dog charm and "Sealed Curse" sword skin is now an "early adopter bonus." This bonus will be available to players who purchase the game via Steam or Epic Games Store by September 25th at 4:59 PM PT / 7:59 PM ET. Capcom confirmed that the game's demo will receive an update to accommodate this change, and players with existing demo save data will still be eligible for the bonus in the full game.
Despite the adjusted release date, Onimusha: Way of the Sword will still face competition from other notable titles, including a game from former Witcher 3 developers. When previewed last year, the game was noted for its deliberate pacing, which some suggested might feel slow compared to contemporaries like Sekiro and Team Ninja's Nioh series. Its design retains elements of its origins as a Resident Evil-like experience with samurai, featuring contained environments and atmospheric touches such as spectral villagers.