STACK #263 September 2026

GAMING FEATURE

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were introduced, adding to the series’ established cinematic aesthetic. Then, in 2004, Onimusha 3: Demon

Siege made quite the creative leap, pairing feudal Japan with modern Paris via a time travel storyline. French actor Jean Reno portrayed Jacques Blanc, who shared protagonist duties with the original game’s hero, Samanosuke Akechi. One more time... With developers by now pushing the PS2 to its limits, 2006 saw the arrival of a new beginning in the series, Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams . It featured multiple playable characters, expanded environments, and deeper RPG elements. While ambitious, it didn’t resonate with fans like the original trilogy did, and other than some spin-offs – including Onimusha Tactics on Game Boy Advance and the PS2 brawler Blade Warriors - the Onimusha franchise fell from Capcom’s favour for many years. Revival! The series eventually reappeared in 2018, via a remaster of Onimusha: Warlords ,

GENRE: Action adventure MULTIPLAYER: No

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While it started as an experiment, Onimusha went on to become one of Capcom’s most treasured series. Blending samurai cinema, survival horror, and epic fantasy, the legend returns this month in Onimusha:Way of the Sword . Let’s take a historical journey... Words Amy Flower A SWORD TO THE WISE

which was eventually followed by a remaster of Onimusha 2 in 2025. As well as fanning the flames of nostalgia for original fans, these re-releases introduced

As of December 2025, the Onimusha franchise has sold over nine million copies worldwide, which makes it one of Capcom’s top ten best-selling series. DYK?

the world of Onimusha to a welcoming new audience. The Way

In the beginning… The concept for Onimusha was born back in 1997, when Capcom producer Yoshiki Okamoto proposed Sengoku Biohazard , which was essentially a samurai-themed remix of the smash hit Resident Evil ’s trap-filled mansion experience. Initially planned for the failed Nintendo 64 64DD disk drive peripheral, the project shifted to the original PlayStation, before ultimately landing on the PlayStation 2, after the PS1 version was binned midway into its development. This apparent misfortune was ultimately advantageous. The power of the PS2 enabled Capcom’s boffins to create a rich, atmospheric world of feudal Japanese aesthetics and demons known as Genma, brought together by cinematic storytelling that was enhanced via motion-captured performances. The game’s protagonist, Samanosuke Akechi, was modelled after actor Takeshi Kaneshiro, which kicked off a tradition of using real-life actors in the series. Warlords Released in 2001, Onimusha: Warlords became an instant hit – and went on to be the first PS2 title to sell over two million copies. While the game’s fixed camera angles,

The rekindled success of the franchise led to the December 2024 announcement of Onimusha:

Way of the Sword . After two decades, this is an entirely new main series entry that’s set in Japan’s Edo period. Directed by Satoru Nihei, who has previously worked on such classic Capcom IPs as Okami and Sengoku Basara , the game features legendary Japanese swordsman Miyamoto Musashi as its Oni-Gauntlet-wielding protagonist. As well as the return of the Oni Gauntlet, the game is set to feature refined swordplay, plus the ability to explore historic Kyoto. Iconic elements such as soul absorption, issen counters, and the classic downward thrust are also set to return, in what Capcom are billing as a modern yet faithful revival.

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puzzle-based progression, and confined environments were all reminiscent of Resident Evil , the additional sword-based combat and soul-absorption mechanics made it very much its own beast. Players used the Oni Gauntlet to absorb Genma souls, which provided fuel for upgrading weapons and restoring health, as well as unlocking new abilities. This mechanic, which represented the eternal struggle between humanity and demonic corruption, became a defining feature of the series. Two sequels In 2002, Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny introduced a new protagonist, Jubei Yagyu, and deepened the game’s character interactions. Combat was refined, and branching story paths

• Onimusha: Way of the Sword is out Sep 4

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