On the 29th, Capcom and Gamepia held a media preview event for 'Onimusha: Way of the Sword' in Mapo-gu, Seoul, where they showcased a new two-hour gameplay build.

Media in attendance were able to experience the PS5 build of 'Onimusha' firsthand, and were also given about 10 minutes of hands-on time with the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 version toward the end of the event.

This preview session covered content beyond what was available in the official demo. While the demo allowed players to experience a portion of the Kiyomizu-dera stage and a boss fight against Sasaki Ganryu, this session offered a look at the story that follows, as the protagonist Miyamoto Musashi arrives in Kyoto.

Semi-Open World: Purifying 'Kyoto'

The Kyoto region is structured as a semi-open world, where players gradually purify a city overrun by Oni by completing various missions. Along the way, we encountered small-scale skirmishes, larger side quests, boss battles, and random encounters, such as rescuing civilians in distress.

In Kyoto, players use the 'Rokudo-Jin-O-Ji' temple as their base of operations. Located at the center of the map, this hub allows players to converse with allies, upgrade equipment using materials gathered during adventures, or enhance the 'Ground Cherry' (Physalis) items needed for health recovery.

Additionally, ringing the 'bell' at the temple transports players to a special realm called the 'Training Grounds,' where they can practice Onimusha's signature combat moves or re-engage with bosses they have already defeated.

The 'Mirror of Purity' found throughout Kyoto serves as a temporary base. Players can use these to fully restore their Ground Cherries, level up the protagonist, or access their storage. They also function as fast-travel points and allow players to adjust the difficulty level at any time.

Once the player reaches the Rokudo-Jin-O-Ji temple, they are tasked by a character named 'Ono no Takamura' with purifying the surrounding area. The name belongs to a real-life official from the Heian period, showing that the game draws inspiration from historical figures, much like Miyamoto Musashi and his rival Sasaki Ganryu.

The preview build also introduced a variety of supporting characters. Izumo no Okuni, known as the founder of the famous 'Kabuki' theater, is the character who upgrades your healing items, the ground cherries. Just as Master Chief has Cortana in 'Halo,' Miyamoto Musashi has Shizuka Gozen in 'Onimusha.'

Each of these characters faces their own unique circumstances and dilemmas, and players will likely uncover their stories as they progress through quests.

Powerful Combat Feel Remains: A Preview of Growth Elements

The demo already released worldwide was enough to get a taste of the action in 'Onimusha: Way of the Sword.' In addition to the series' signature 'Issen' (critical strike) mechanic, which requires precise timing against enemy attacks, new defensive options like deflecting and parrying have been added, expanding combat choices. Combined with diverse execution animations and enemy dismemberment effects, the game's action feels truly complete.

In this preview build, I focused on the growth elements discovered while exploring the open space of 'Kyoto.'

First, the 'Enma Hall' at the temple is where players can upgrade their 'Amulets.' In the preview build, the player possessed a 'Healing Amulet,' which required 'Red Souls' (obtained by defeating enemies) and 'Grace' as materials for upgrades.

Grace is obtained by making offerings at the Enma Hall. Players can offer materials like 'White Sake' or 'Wheat' found during exploration in exchange for Grace.

Players can also collect various materials, including different types of fabric, all used for equipment upgrades. Upgrades are categorized into 'Clothing,' 'Sword,' and 'Oni Gauntlet.' There is no system for equipping different swords; while clothing can be changed like skins, equipment stats appear to be tied to the aforementioned upgrade levels.

Beyond equipment, there is a clear incentive to collect various materials, such as for upgrading Ground Cherries via Izumo no Okuni.

In addition to equipment, skills can also be upgraded. This allows players to acquire passive and active abilities. While these primarily require Red Souls, some upgrades were seen to require special materials.

Action Choices Built Upon a Solid Combat System

In this build, I experienced combat focused on dealing with enemies while purifying Kyoto. Building on the solid combat system seen in the demo, the relatively open fields allow players to use environmental objects, further increasing tactical options.

Objects identified in the preview included carts that can be blown up with arrows to hit enemies in their path, tatami mats on the floor, and hanging laundry.

Barrels are useful for dealing with ranged or clustered enemies. You can lift a tatami mat with your sword to block attacks or kick it to strike enemies in a straight line. By deflecting an enemy into laundry, you can even cause them to get tangled in the cloth, leading them to accidentally attack their own allies.

In particular, the various types of parrying derived from defense act as a core pillar of Onimusha's action. Defending at the right moment deflects attacks and creates openings, while pressing the X button (on DualSense) while guarding allows for a 'strike' that can instantly deplete an enemy's Ki (stamina) gauge. With additional options like 'Just Evade,' players can tailor the action to their preferred playstyle.

The difficulty settings—'Action' and 'Swordplay'—are also significant factors in combat. The difference isn't just in enemy health and damage; in 'Swordplay' mode, enemies exhibit new attack patterns and behave more aggressively than in 'Action' mode.

Even the souls that scatter into the air whenever you defeat an enemy demand split-second decision-making. By default, players can press the button for the Gauntlet of the Oni to absorb nearby souls, but it would be a mistake to think you can just wait until the end of a battle to collect them. Enemies can absorb those souls, too.

Even weak enemies can enter a powered-up state for a certain duration after absorbing souls, leading to much tougher encounters at higher difficulties. Therefore, it is best to develop the habit of absorbing souls during combat.

Capcom's Winning Streak? Why September is Worth the Wait

From core IP remakes to entirely new IPs, Capcom's recent development prowess is nothing short of astonishing. It is rare in the current gaming industry to see a string of releases receive such consistent acclaim. After this media preview, I have a feeling that Capcom's streak of home runs will continue.

The combat system, which blends the hardcore action of the original with a modern offensive-defensive system, is robust, and the addition of open fields—even if not massive in scale—adds a layer of exploration. With various growth paths fueled by material gathering and a narrative driven by compelling characters, there is much to look forward to.

The demo section featured a side mission based on a twisted traditional folktale related to 'severing bonds.' The story follows people obsessed with a distorted faith who mutilate themselves to sever ties in a Kyoto overrun by Oni; the fact that this area was depicted in a bright, vibrant atmosphere made it feel all the more grotesque.

For gamers who enjoy solid, action-packed gameplay with occasional touches of cruelty and eeriness, 'Onimusha: Way of the Sword' will be well worth the wait when it launches soon.

Finally, I would like to conclude this preview with my impressions of the Switch 2 version. Honestly, I was surprised by the locked 30fps frame rate. Perhaps the contrast was more jarring because I had just been playing on the PS5.

If you play the Switch 2 version from the start, the difference might not be as noticeable, but given that 'Onimusha' prides itself on fluid swordplay, the lower frame rate is a disappointment. Otherwise, the visuals were understandable if a bit rougher than the PS5, and the Joy-Con controls felt natural. There are also hardware-specific features, such as using the Switch 2's gyro sensor for aiming the bow.

Ultimately, the platform you choose depends on what you value most. If you want to play the new 'Onimusha' on the go, the Switch 2 version is a suitable choice; if you prefer more detailed visuals and the fluid 60fps action, PC or other consoles are the way to go.