{"id":347137,"date":"2025-08-21T07:10:51","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T12:10:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/21\/onimusha-way-of-the-sword-is-a-modern-graceful-action-classic-in-waiting\/"},"modified":"2025-08-21T07:10:51","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T12:10:51","slug":"onimusha-way-of-the-sword-is-a-modern-graceful-action-classic-in-waiting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/21\/onimusha-way-of-the-sword-is-a-modern-graceful-action-classic-in-waiting\/","title":{"rendered":"Onimusha: Way of the Sword Is a Modern, Graceful Action Classic-in-Waiting"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> [ad_1]<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>It\u2019s such a simple decision \u2013 in <em>Onimusha: Way of the Sword<\/em>, pressing the block button lets you deflect or parry attacks from any direction. Your character, Musashi Miyamoto, will seamlessly pull his katana into just the right position, sometimes readjusting for multiple strikes on the fly. It\u2019s a single gameplay choice that says so much about this game, and offers so much to the player \u2013 built to dominate more than struggle. Plus, performing a no-look block just feels <em>superb<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>The long-awaited follow-up to Capcom\u2019s grimdark feudal fantasy series sees you play as a master swordsman, who gains the abilities of the Oni gauntlet that\u2019s attached itself to each of the series\u2019 main characters, and is charged with taking down invading demons by any means necessary.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<p>\n<iframe title=\"Onimusha: Way of the Sword - 3rd Trailer: The Genma Experiments\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QpToNqMO3KA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>At first blush, you might expect this to be another entry in the burgeoning soulslike genre but, in a first hands-on, I discovered a game that, while not without challenge, was far more interested in making you feel good than making you <em>get<\/em> good. This is a consummate action game \u2013 one that constantly rewards you for experimenting with its systems, and feels almost incapable of looking bad, even in a non-expert player\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n<p>Much of this is down to animation. Every strike, dodge and, yes, no-look block, feels as though it\u2019s reacting to the situation you\u2019ve found yourself in, always looking natural. Fighting regular enemies rarely has the start-stop rhythm you might have come to expect \u2013 instead, you <em>glide<\/em> through these fights, dispatching demons, deflecting arrows (particularly delightful when you realise you can parry them back into the enemies around you), and finishing skirmishes with the series\u2019 signature, instant-kill Issen attacks.<\/p>\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;uploadedSrc&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/xboxwire.thesourcemediaassets.com\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/Onimusha1-bf911423a20ff2a5c494.jpg&quot;,&quot;figureClassNames&quot;:&quot;wp-block-image size-fullsize&quot;,&quot;figureStyles&quot;:null,&quot;imgClassNames&quot;:&quot;wp-image-211007&quot;,&quot;imgStyles&quot;:null,&quot;targetWidth&quot;:1920,&quot;targetHeight&quot;:1080,&quot;scaleAttr&quot;:false,&quot;ariaLabel&quot;:&quot;Enlarge image: Onimusha Way of the Sword Screenshot&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Onimusha Way of the Sword Screenshot&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" class=\"wp-block-image size-fullsize wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1900\" height=\"1080\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on-async--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/xboxwire.thesourcemediaassets.com\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/Onimusha1-bf911423a20ff2a5c494-1900x1080.jpg\" alt=\"Onimusha Way of the Sword Screenshot\" class=\"wp-image-211007\"\/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge image: Onimusha Way of the Sword Screenshot\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"context.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"context.imageButtonTop\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"\/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<p>In these regular fights, offence is often the best defence \u2013 overwhelming smaller enemies with blows will deplete their stamina, opening up opportunities to unleash an Issen (with an appropriately over-the-top animation). Stronger enemies will force you to dodge a little more often (which can trigger a Bayonetta-like slow-mo), or parry more effectively, complete with gorgeous visual effects and generous stun windows.<\/p>\n<p>The message is clear \u2013 you\u2019re not playing as a character learning the ropes. This is already a master of their craft, and they act like it. For Musashi, these fights <em>should<\/em> feel simple \u2013 difficulty is more down to how you manage a crowd, than how you deal with the individual fighters in it.<\/p>\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;uploadedSrc&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/xboxwire.thesourcemediaassets.com\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/Onimusha2-4ef6a447a4c28232edbc.jpg&quot;,&quot;figureClassNames&quot;:&quot;wp-block-image size-fullsize&quot;,&quot;figureStyles&quot;:null,&quot;imgClassNames&quot;:&quot;wp-image-211008&quot;,&quot;imgStyles&quot;:null,&quot;targetWidth&quot;:1920,&quot;targetHeight&quot;:1080,&quot;scaleAttr&quot;:false,&quot;ariaLabel&quot;:&quot;Enlarge image: Onimusha Way of the Sword Screenshot&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Onimusha Way of the Sword Screenshot&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" class=\"wp-block-image size-fullsize wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1900\" height=\"1080\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on-async--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/xboxwire.thesourcemediaassets.com\/sites\/2\/2025\/08\/Onimusha2-4ef6a447a4c28232edbc-1900x1080.jpg\" alt=\"Onimusha Way of the Sword Screenshot\" class=\"wp-image-211008\"\/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge image: Onimusha Way of the Sword Screenshot\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"context.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"context.imageButtonTop\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"\/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<p>But when the game pits me against a fellow Samurai, Sasaki Ganryu, it\u2019s a swordfight worthy of the classic movies the developers have drawn from (even the main character\u2019s likeness is based on legendary Japanese actor Toshiro Mifune). You might expect the game to suddenly embrace that soulslike comparison here, but it resists \u2013 it\u2019s not <em>easy<\/em>, but you get the impression that Capcom would prefer you to be able to choreograph your own film-like encounter, resisting the impulse to truly stop you in your tracks with a fight that needs to be learned, repeated, and mastered.<\/p>\n<p>Healing items are limited by your inventory space, but relatively plentiful, ensuring you can top up in tricky spots. Pulling off an Issen against Ganryu gives you an in-built gamble \u2013 do massive damage, or earn more Souls (used as currency and more). And the game prioritizes speed over precision \u2013 both you and Ganryu will buzz around the arena, dodging, lunging, and clashing in showers of sparks. It\u2019s absolutely thrilling, featuring some of the smoothest, best-looking combat I\u2019ve seen from an action game this generation.<\/p>\n<p>As a taster of what\u2019s to come, it\u2019s absolutely piqued my interest. This feels like a classic action game waiting to emerge.<\/p>\n<p><em>Onimusha: Way of the Sword arrives for Xbox Series X|S in 2026.<\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"msp1755777315894\" class=\"\">\n<div class=\"ms-product-badge mspb-large\" data-product-id=\"9pjmhtrc9wkb\">\n<div class=\"mspb-primary-image\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/store\/apps\/9pjmhtrc9wkb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/store-images.s-microsoft.com\/image\/apps.41113.14284010104803035.834d4f48-b029-4f16-999f-51ac656c2bd6.c703c3dc-537d-433a-b09f-ca365e078fb1?w=400&amp;h=600\" alt=\"Onimusha: Way of the Sword\" class=\"skip-lazy\"\/>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"mspb-details\">\n<h2>Onimusha: Way of the Sword<\/h2>\n<div class=\"mspb-secondary-details\">\n<div class=\"mspb-left-container\">\n<p>CAPCOM CO., LTD.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mspb-rating\">\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t<span>\u2606<\/span><span>\u2606<\/span><span>\u2606<\/span><span>\u2606<\/span><span>\u2606<\/span>&#13;\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t<span>\u2605<\/span><span>\u2605<\/span><span>\u2605<\/span><span>\u2605<\/span><span>\u2605<\/span>&#13;\n\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"mspb-right-container\">\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\tFight through bloodstained battlefields of intense swordplay action. Explore the historic Japanese capital of Edo-era Kyoto, twisted by malevolent clouds of Malice.<br \/>\nWith every stage cloaked in mystery, danger and intrigue. Battle against monstrosities from the underworld known as Genma in a tale of dark fantasy.<br \/>\nFollow the tale of a samurai who wields the Oni Gauntlet, a mystical artifact that grants its bearer the power to slay Genma.<br \/>\nThrough gritty, blood-soaked brawls, he searches for his reason to fight. What fate awaits at the end of his path?<\/p>\n<p>Note: this content has not yet been age-rated. Age ratings information will be published at a later date.\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[ad_2]<br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/news.xbox.com\/en-us\/2025\/08\/21\/onimusha-way-of-the-sword-hands-on-preview\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[ad_1] It\u2019s such a simple decision \u2013 in Onimusha: Way of the Sword, pressing the block button lets you deflect or parry attacks from any<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":347138,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[160],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/347137"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=347137"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/347137\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/347138"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=347137"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=347137"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=347137"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}