Onimusha: Way of the Sword delivers a remarkable experience, blending an engaging narrative with deeply satisfying action gameplay. Moments in the game transcend simple play, collapsing the distance between player and protagonist Miyamoto Musashi into a flow state of pure movement and reaction. This connection, forged through challenging combat and a compelling story, makes Onimusha a standout title.
The game loosely weaves a tale of historical fiction, placing Miyamoto Musashi and his rival Sasaki Ganryu in a supernatural conflict against monsters known as Genma. After a near-death experience, Musashi is revived by a mysterious man and equipped with an Oni gauntlet, capable of absorbing the souls of fallen foes. This gauntlet also houses the spirit of Shizuka, who aids Musashi in his fight against the Genma and the corrupting Malice spreading across the land. Ganryu, too, receives a gauntlet, but one that feeds on human souls, setting the stage for a broader conflict.
While plot details are best discovered firsthand, Onimusha distinguishes itself as a character-driven narrative. Musashi is a compelling and cool protagonist who resents the power the gauntlet grants him, as he feels he has not earned it. His desire to hone his swordsmanship clashes with his new reality, forcing him to confront demons to remove the gauntlet by feeding it their souls. His crude confidence and sharp wit, evident in his taunts to enemies, are captivating. The game's cutscenes are exceptionally well-executed, often eliciting exclamations of awe at Musashi's prowess. His interactions with other characters, particularly his developing partnership with Shizuka, form the emotional core of the game. The facial animations are remarkably detailed, effectively conveying the characters' emotions, with Musashi's likeness meticulously adapted from actor Toshiro Mifune, capturing his on-screen mannerisms with great skill.
The narrative handles its characters with respect while embracing moments of humor. Musashi's fish-out-of-water reaction to steering a boat, for instance, provides a lighthearted interlude. Shizuka is portrayed not merely as a supporting character but as Musashi's equal, her strength enabling his actions, and their interdependence is central to the story's progression.
While the Japanese voice acting is highly praised, the English dub is also competent, though some found its consistent London-centric accents to be a distraction. Playing with Japanese audio and subtitles is recommended for a more authentic experience, with Yoshimasa Hosoya and Aya Endō delivering standout performances as Musashi and Shizuka, respectively.
Beyond its story, Onimusha is a robust action game. Kyoto serves as a central hub where players battle Genma, close rifts, and destroy Malice-producing plants to unlock new areas. Musashi and Shizuka also venture into diverse locations like temples, mountains, and forests to confront powerful Genma. The game adopts a more structured exploration model than an open world, but offers ample opportunities to discover materials for upgrading Musashi's sword, gauntlet, and attire, enhancing damage, health, and soul absorption capabilities.
The combat system is where Onimusha truly shines. Musashi employs light and heavy attacks, but the game's depth lies in its defensive options. Beyond blocking, players can utilize dodges, parries, and precise Issen counterattacks. Each mechanic serves a distinct purpose: dodging is reliable, parries deplete enemy stamina, and deflects offer significant stamina damage, particularly against armored foes. The Issen, a perfectly timed sidestep and counterattack, deals immense damage and is crucial for quickly dispatching enemies. Successfully chaining Issen attacks is immensely satisfying.
Furthermore, combat incorporates various special abilities and mechanics. Reflex Dodges can trigger Reflex Combos, capable of defeating smaller enemies instantly. Parries can charge the Blazing Gauge, setting Musashi's sword aflame. Deflects, while sacrificing follow-up opportunities, inflict heavy stamina damage, ideal for breaking an enemy's guard for powerful execution-style moves. The Issen, though risky and not effective against all attacks, is the ultimate defensive maneuver, capable of reflecting projectiles and even lightning bolts. The game excels at providing tactile feedback, making each parry and deflection feel impactful and contributing to a dynamic combat experience.
Enemies in Onimusha drop various souls: yellow souls restore health, red souls serve as currency for upgrades, and blue souls recharge Oni Armaments. A special type of soul is also present, tied to a mechanic involving Break Issens. Using a Break Issen on regular enemies results in an instant kill, while on bosses, it allows targeting weak points for significant damage or extra souls.
The game’s bosses are a significant highlight, often requiring hours of learning and adaptation. The soul-absorption mechanic is particularly critical, as both Musashi and bosses can absorb souls to power up. This creates a high-stakes environment where managing health and resources is paramount. Some boss encounters took hours to master, with each death serving as a lesson, pushing the player to refine their strategy and rely on instinct.
Onimusha's optional content is also remarkably strong, with side missions often weaving together into larger narratives. Quests involving characters like Lady Murasaki provide narrative depth, while others involve exploring for hidden treasures or aiding citizens. Collecting cute Lion Dogs rewards players with retellings of Japanese mythology, adding cultural flavor. Discovering hidden Oni Portals not only illuminates Shizuka's story but also unlocks skill tree tiers.
Skill trees, equippable charms, and stat upgrades offer meaningful progression. Exploration is encouraged by the placement of upgrade items, driving players to revisit areas, find shortcuts, and uncover secrets. The synergy between different game systems—combat, exploration, and progression—creates a cohesive and rewarding experience. Even cosmetic unlocks, like new sword appearances or haori for Musashi, serve as markers of the player's journey.
While certain minibosses and main bosses reappear frequently, this repetition is often welcomed as an opportunity to refine skills and test oneself against previous challenges. This depth of challenge sets the stage for New Game Plus and the unlockable Carnage difficulty mode, offering ample reason to return to the world of Onimusha.