We got to check out a behind-closed-doors live gameplay demo of Onimusha: Way of the Sword, and it looks amazing.
During Summer Game Fest 2025, Capcom invited us to check out three titles, the first of which was Onimusha: Way of the Sword. In a theater setup, they showed us live gameplay featuring roughly 30 minutes from the title. One of the game’s producers played through a series of short cutscenes and fights until finishing with two boss encounters.
Our time watching was set in the Kyomiza-dera Temple during the 16th century. Capcom collaborated with the temple’s staff to recreate what it would have looked like during that period. A handful of series’ classic features and some new ones were showcased. First up was Soul Absorption, which our main character of Miyamoto Musashi, can perform due to an Oni Gauntlet that has fused with his left arm.
As in the previous games, enemies drop floating souls when hit, and you can absorb them for various benefits with the Oni Gauntlet. Musashi, who has the likeness of late actor Toshiro Mifune, is an excellent swordsman. He can guard against enemy attacks from any angle and redirect ranged attacks back at their point of origin.
The Issen ability returns, landing a devastating blow when attacks are properly timed. You can chain Issen attacks together, giving you an edge over larger groups of enemies. Capcom also showed off a powered-up state for Musashi, where he can deal more damage and generate more blue souls (those fill your ability meter).
Utilizing the RE Engine, Way of the Sword is a stunning title. Cutscene direction and animation is the best the series has ever seen. Mifune’s digital avatar captures his likeness well, making it feel like one of his classic Samurai films. The sound effects and music immediately felt like “this is an Onimusha title”. During the two boss encounters, the tension ramped high, with one incredibly punchable-faced villain and the other being a giga-chad looking demon.
Bosses have meters under their health bar, which, when full, allow you to do something akin to a super move. You’ll have choices on which part you attack, with our demoist choosing to take out their head for extra damage over particular orbs. Both fights were quick, full of perfectly timed dodges and parries. Steel and fists flew as the bosses were defeated, and Musashi gained a load of experience orbs.
It’s tough to say too much more about a hands-off 30-minute-long demonstration. The franchise was one of my favorites, and seeing it come back with this quality has me pumped for its release in 2026.
This is one of three Capcom previews I did, you can also check out:
Pragmata | Hands-on Preview & Resident Evil Requiem Impressions
