Onimusha: Way Of The Sword, a new action-horror game from Capcom, features unique and freaky enemies like ragamuffin ninjas who moult themselves and a living fireball that drinks souls for kamikaze attacks.
The game aims to bring a sense of gentle madness and unpredictability back to the genre, seeking to differentiate itself from games focused solely on combos and parrying.
Although the game appears routine in some aspects, it introduces elements like enemies sealed by hellflesh conduits and bosses made of cursed paper, adding to its appeal.
Onimusha's new protagonist, Miyamoto Musashi, possesses Oni powers from a talking gauntlet but prefers relying on his human samurai skills for combat.
The game offers robust parrying mechanics, allowing Musashi to intercept attacks from any direction with precision and perform various combo kills.
Special moves in Way Of The Sword let players target specific body parts for strategic advantages in combat, enhancing both damage and XP gain.
However, during a hands-off demo, Musashi's movements appeared somewhat slow and the combat seemed repetitive, potentially requiring further refinement.
The game's design and pacing reflect its origins as a samurai-themed Resident Evil spinoff, showcasing a mix of familiar elements and novel features.
Despite facing competition from titles like Sekiro and the Nioh series, Onimusha: Way Of The Sword aims to carve its place with a blend of traditional and modern gameplay styles.
As Capcom continues developing the game, players anticipate encountering more imaginative and challenging monsters to test their skills.
Fans look forward to experiencing the full gameplay and exploring the potential depth of the game's combat mechanics and enemy variety.
Overall, Onimusha: Way Of The Sword sets the stage for a return to the action-horror genre with a mix of classic samurai elements and contemporary gameplay innovations.
The game's focus on eerie enemies, precise combat mechanics, and a balance between traditional and new features creates an intriguing blend for players of the genre.