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Onimusha: Way of the Sword Producer Says Full Game Will Be Harder After Demo Criticism

The producer's direct response signals that Capcom is aware of a potential difficulty perception gap between the demo and the final product, a common issue for action games where early access can misrepresent the full experience.

Key Facts

  • Capcom producer Akihito Kadowaki said the full game will be harder after player complaints that the demo for Onimusha: Way of the Sword is too easy.
  • The demo covers the first 30 minutes of the story and intentionally unlocks skills normally earned later, which may have made early enemies feel too simple.
  • The full game launches September 25 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with a Switch 2 version announced on June 9 that supports Joy-Con 2 motion controls.
  • The demo offers two difficulty modes: Swordplay for action-focused play and Action with assistance features.
  • The demo lets players experience the Kiyomizudera stage and a boss fight against Sasaki Kojiro.

Reporting from 7 sources: Anime News Network, 4Gamer.net, GAME Watch (Impress), Denfaminicogamer, and 3 more.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword Producer Says Full Game Will Be Harder After Demo Criticism

Capcom producer Akihito Kadowaki has responded to player complaints that the demo for Onimusha: Way of the Sword is too easy, promising that the full game will offer more challenge. In a video letter released via the game's official overseas account, Kadowaki acknowledged feedback that the demo lacked difficulty. He explained that the demo, which covers the first 30 minutes of the story, intentionally unlocks skills normally earned later in the game to let players sample protagonist Miyamoto Musashi's full range of actions. This customization, he suggested, may have made the early Genma enemies feel too simple. Kadowaki assured players that in the latter part of the game, both strong enemies and regular Genma will provide challenging battles. The demo offers two difficulty modes: Swordplay for action-focused play and Action with assistance features. The full game launches September 25 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. A Nintendo Direct on June 9 also announced a Switch 2 version, which supports Joy-Con 2 motion controls, releasing the same day.

The demo for Onimusha: Way of the Sword, released after the June 3 State of Play broadcast, lets players experience the Kiyomizudera stage and a boss fight against Sasaki Kojiro. Many players reported that regular Genma enemies rarely attack and fall in a few hits, leading some to wait for counter opportunities like the Issen technique. Kadowaki noted that skill unlock timings were adjusted for the demo, shifting the focus to atmosphere rather than challenge. In a past interview, director Nibei stated the game would not be balanced like a soulslike, leaving open questions about how the final difficulty curve will satisfy action veterans. The Nintendo Direct on June 9 also confirmed a Switch 2 version with Joy-Con 2 motion controls, expanding the platform lineup. Pre-orders for all versions begin after the Direct ends. The game is rated for ages 18 and up.

Synthesized by Yomimono from the 7 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword Akito Kadowaki

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