I loved the Onimusha: Way of the Sword demo that launched this summer. The way every sword clash feels decisive, the careful dissection of gruesome demons, the last-second dodges to afterimage behind an enemy before a brutal finisher. But, I have to admit, I was a bit worried that this opening to Capcom's revival of the Japanese hack and slash was perhaps a little too easy, not giving me enough pushback to feel the sweat on my DualSense-shaped sword grip. It's rare I ever feel this way, but I wasn't the only one. Now, playing about 3 hours past the point of the demo in an extended hands-on, I've never been happier to get my ass thoroughly trounced.
One of gaming's strengths as a medium is when it can offer up a nemesis – and the satisfaction that comes from using your own skill to work your way up from inferior to an equal, testing your mettle against machine code. Vanquishing Malenia in Elden Ring. Mastering the Last Judge in Hollow Knight Silksong. Finally beating the Death Egg Zone in Sonic 2. Onimusha: Way of the Sword could have some of the best sword combat in gaming – it very well might – but without a reason to put my ability to the test, I was worried it'd be tough to appreciate. Then, a weird demon covered in dismembered fingers with multiple-limbs picked me up and Star Platinumed my body across a shrine with a barrage of punches. At least eight times. It can feel good to be humbled.
