Capcom has revealed significant new details about the gameplay systems in its upcoming action title Onimusha: Way of the Sword during an interview with Famitsu magazine. The game, scheduled for release in 2026, is the first new mainline Onimusha game in nearly two decades, with producer Akihito Kadowaki declaring, “This is the Onimusha only modern Capcom could make.”
Director Yutaka Nihei and Kadowaki confirmed the return of the series’ signature “Issen” instant-kill mechanic while introducing several new combat features. “We wanted to create something that feels both familiar and revolutionary,” Nihei explained. The development team has implemented a “Ukefushi” counter system that rewards players with enhanced attack power after executing consecutive perfect parries, visually indicated by a distinctive blue-white energy effect.
The interview revealed expanded environmental interactions that will factor heavily into combat strategy. Players can utilize elements like tatami mats as makeshift shields against projectiles or throw kimonos to temporarily obstruct enemies’ vision. Kadowaki: “They’re tools that fundamentally change how you approach each encounter.”
Enemy designs showcase completely original Genma demons with advanced behavioral patterns. Developers highlighted one particularly complex boss encounter featuring Hyakkei, a massive foe covered in talismans that progressively change function during battle. “When the final seal turns crimson, that’s when the real fight begins,” Nihei teased, describing the dynamic difficulty scaling.
The soul absorption system, a series staple, returns with expanded functionality. Collected souls now fuel not only powerful special attacks but also enable certain environmental interactions. “It’s about creating meaningful choices in combat,” Nihei noted. “Do you spend souls on a finishing move, or save them to alter the battlefield?”
According to the developers, the campaign will offer approximately 20 hours of gameplay while maintaining the series’ stage-based progression structure. “We’re not making an open-world game,” Kadowaki clarified, “but each location is packed with secrets and multiple approaches to combat.”
Onimusha: Way of the Sword has a planned release window of 2026. The game is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
