Onimusha Makes A Surprising Return After Almost Two Decades

Capcom made one of the biggest surprise announcements at The Game Awards 2024; a new Onimusha game. They revealed the first trailer for Onimusha Way Of The Sword, which will launch for the PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC sometime in 2026.

The synopsis reads:

Fight through bloodbaths of intense swordplay action. Explore the historic Japanese capital of Edo-era Kyoto, twisted by malevolent clouds of Malice. With every stage cloaked in mystery, danger and intrigue. Battle against monstrosities from the underworld known as Genma in a tale of dark fantasy. Follow the tale of a samurai who wields the Oni Gauntlet, a mystical artifact that grants its bearer the power to slay Genma. Through gritty, blood-soaked brawls, he searches for his reason to fight. What fate awaits at the end of his path?

The last Onimusha game was 2006’s Onimusha Dawn Of Dreams, which was a whopping 18 years ago. This will likely be one of Capcom’s most highly-anticipated game in the next two years to come because many fans have been clamouring for a new Onimusha title for years.

The Onimusha games are basically third-person action games where the protagonist is often a samurai of some sort fighting against demons and sucking up their souls. It was Nioh before Nioh and without the Soulslike elements.

Debuting in 2001, the first game in the Onimusha series tells the story of a young warrior during a time of widespread war in feudal Japan. Acquiring the power of the Oni, he becomes an Onimusha and battles against the evil Genma that are attempting to conquer of the world.
The game’s “Issen” critical counter action mechanic and satisfying swordplay action became defining pillars of the series.

With people and events inspired by real-life history cast into its eerie dark fantasy setting, the trials and fates of the characters painted a unique and engrossing tale that drew widespread acclaim.
Building on that success, the series has gone on to spawn numerous hit titles and even an original Netflix animation. To date the Onimusha series has sold over 8.7 million* units worldwide.

What path will the samurai take?