Never played Onimusha? What you need to know before Sep 3
A lot of people are about to play their first Onimusha. Good news: Way of the Sword is a standalone story — you don't need the old games to follow Musashi in Kyoto. Here's what the series is, how to catch up if you want to, and what to expect as a first-timer.
What Onimusha actually is
Capcom's samurai action series from the early 2000s — the games that popularized the parry-and-counter style that Devil May Cry fans already know. You play a historical figure (this time Miyamoto Musashi) with a demon-absorbing Oni Gauntlet on one arm. Kill demons, absorb their souls, spend souls on skills, and counter everything the game throws at you with well-timed blocks. It's more deliberate than DMC, less punishing than Sekiro, and very much its own rhythm.
The series went quiet after Dawn of Dreams in 2006. Way of the Sword is the first new mainline entry in 20 years — that's why the launch conversation is as loud as it is. But being old doesn't mean it's homework. The story starts fresh with Musashi in Kyoto under attack by the Genma.
Do you need to play the old games? No
New protagonist, new setting, new story. There will be nods to the old games that longtime fans catch, but nothing the new player needs explained. If anything, the demo is the best possible preparation — it teaches the combat loop directly.
How to catch up cheaply, if you're curious
- Onimusha: Warlords (2018 remaster) — the first game, modernized for PC, PS4, Xbox One and Switch. The best single reference point for the series' tone and combat, and it's short.
- Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams — PS Plus Premium — the last mainline game joined the PlayStation Plus Premium classics catalog on August 18, 2026. If you're on the Premium tier, that's free.
- Skip the middle games unless you fall in love. 2 and 3 are great for fans but not needed for Sep 4.
The first-timer's bottom line
Jump in at Way of the Sword. The series' old reputation — parry-heavy, fast, stylish — is exactly what the demo shows, and Capcom has said the final game dials the challenge up. If the demo grabs you, that's your answer; no backlog required.
Newcomer FAQ
- Is it like Sekiro? Parry family, but faster, more aggressive and much more forgiving.
- Is it like Devil May Cry? Closer — same DNA and era, fewer air combos, more counter timing.
- Does it have a hard mode? Difficulty details for the full game aren't fully confirmed yet — the demo is single-difficulty and tuned down.
- Japanese voice + English subtitles? Yes — Japanese ships with full audio, one of nine languages that do, and English subtitles are supported.