Onimusha: Way Of The Sword Isn’t Connected To Previous Games, But Features Homages

After a two-decade hiatus, Capcom’s legendary samurai action franchise is finally making a triumphant return this September with Onimusha: Way of the Sword. Ahead of the launch and as part of Game Informer’s latest exclusive cover story, I traveled to Capcom’s headquarters in Osaka, Japan. There, I spent several hours going hands-on with the title and interviewing the masterminds steering its development. As a devoted veteran of the series, my foremost question for the team was simple: does Way of the Sword share any narrative ties with its classic predecessors?

The short answer is no; this new chapter stands entirely on its own, untethered from the overarching plotlines of earlier entries. However, as becomes abundantly clear the moment you pick up the controller, the game is lovingly layered with subtle callbacks and visual tributes for eagle-eyed fans to uncover.

“While there isn’t a direct chronological connection within the game world, we wanted to pay homage to core elements from the legacy titles,” explains Director Satoru Nihei. “For example, several of the adversaries you encounter are directly inspired by classic foes, giving longtime fans a familiar touchstone to anchor themselves to.”

A prime illustration of this philosophy is the side-by-side evolution of the classic Reynaldo Genma from Onimusha: Warlords and its modern counterpart, the Chijiko, featured in Way of the Sword. In the original classic, this tentacled monstrosity burrowed underground to ambush players from beneath, terrifyingly splitting and mutating into multiple threats upon defeat unless countered. The Chijiko mirrors this erratic combat DNA, wielding subterranean tentacles and splitting into dual foes unless neutralized with a precise, specialized maneuver.

The Reynaldo-Chijiko parallel is merely one of many nostalgic nods hidden throughout the experience. Another notable inspiration is the Bazuu, a recurring brute from the franchise’s history. In Onimusha: Warlords, the Bazuu famously threatened players with a relentless, spinning rolling attack. While the moniker has evolved, Way of the Sword introduces a similarly armored, armadillo-inspired adversary that charges with the exact same momentum. Even the soul-absorbing Gyaran makes a conceptual appearance; though its modern counterpart trades soul-harvesting for projectile volleys directed at Musashi, the visual lineage remains unmistakable.

“Every single adversary in this installment has been built from the ground up,” Nihei notes. “So, rather than simply copy-pasting, we chose to deconstruct classic elements and creatively remix them to forge entirely new Genma threats tailored for this generation.”

I am eager to unearth even more hidden homages when Onimusha: Way of the Sword officially launches on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC on September 4.

My exploration into Capcom’s revival of this iconic franchise is only just beginning. Throughout our month-long celebration of Way of the Sword, Game Informer will roll out exclusive gameplay showcases and behind-the-scenes features—including a rapid-fire developer interview—over on the official YouTube channel. Be sure to bookmark the Onimusha: Way of the Sword coverage hub so you never miss an update.

Recommended Reading

• How Capcom Chose Miyamoto Musashi as the Hero of Way of the Sword
• The Story Behind Reviving Onimusha After Two Decades
• Why Kyoto Serves as the Ultimate Backdrop for the New Adventure
• Official Cover Reveal and Announcement Details
• Explore the Digital Issue
• Summer Game Fest Hands-On Impressions
• Central Hub for All Game Information

What specific elements or adversaries are you hoping to see make a return in Way of the Sword? Share your thoughts in the comments below!