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Onimusha: Way of the Sword Reviewers Hail a Series-High Metascore of 85

The Metascore matching Onimusha 3 signals that Capcom's gamble on a wide-linear, story-driven reboot of a dormant franchise has paid off with critics, and the 2 million demo downloads show strong player interest before launch.

Key Facts

  • Onimusha: Way of the Sword launches on September 4, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and Microsoft Store.
  • The game holds an average Metascore of 85 on Metacritic based on more than 80 PS5 reviews, matching the series high set by Onimusha 3.
  • The demo has surpassed 2 million downloads, and players have executed Issen over 10 million times.
  • The protagonist Miyamoto Musashi is modeled on actor Toshiro Mifune and voiced by Yoshimasa Hosono.
  • A special video introducing the sword-fighting action is narrated by Akio Otsuka.

Reporting from 5 sources: 4Gamer.net, GAME Watch (Impress), Automaton, Denfaminicogamer, and 1 more.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword Reviewers Hail a Series-High Metascore of 85

Capcom's Onimusha: Way of the Sword, the first fully new console entry in the series in roughly 20 years, is drawing strong early reviews ahead of its September 4 release. The game, which launches on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and Microsoft Store, holds an average Metascore of 85 on Metacritic based on over 80 PS5 reviews, a figure that matches the series' previous high mark set by 2004's Onimusha 3. Reviewers widely praise the sword-fighting combat, which centers on timing-based actions like the parry-like Ukenagashi, the deflect, and the signature Issen counter. IGN awarded a perfect 100, while Forbes gave 90 and Eurogamer 80, with the latter noting the game's deliberate departure from common Soulslike design. The game stars a young Miyamoto Musashi, modeled on the late actor Toshiro Mifune and voiced by Yoshimasa Hosono, who is forced to wield the Oni Gauntlet after being killed by demons called Genma. The demo has surpassed 2 million downloads, with over 10 million Issen executions recorded.

The parry-like Ukenagashi was the combat element director Ken Niibei said modern technology finally made possible, according to an Automaton interview. The game runs on Capcom's RE Engine, which reviewers cited as a graphical highlight. A special video narrated by Akio Otsuka, a series voice veteran, debuted September 1 to showcase the sword-fighting action.

The opening plays out in a duel against Kiyokazu Yoshioka of the Yoshida dojo, where Musashi shows a comedic side by fleeing from a swarm of students before being killed alongside rival Sasaki Kojirō. The gauntlet's resident spirit, a woman called the Oni no Kajin, corrects Musashi's crude speech with polite phrasing, and the pair clash with Izumo no Okuni early on before warming to each other. Bosses include the giant Daitara, sake-drinking Shuten Dōji, and Raishōgan, who occupies Yasui Konpiragū.

Game*Spark praised the Issen timing as a rare sweet spot, landing 7 to 8 out of 10 attempts, but found the controller vibration too quiet during normal slashes and noted a mid-boss that reappears often. Automaton said the story takes a while to ignite, and that both the Hyakue and Nuten bosses repeat frequently. A photo mode ships with filters, and a black-and-white setting produces period-drama shots. The demo's free expansion added the Oni no Kakurezato area and the Daitara fight, plus the hidden boss Hyakue after landing ten Issen counters.

Synthesized by Yomimono from the 5 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword Capcom

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