"Onimusha: Way of the Sword" has only been out in the market for a couple of days, making it one of the newest titles to check out for any gamer out there.
If you happen to be one of those people planning to try out the game, there might be some questions swirling in your mind. Do you need to play other "Onimusha" games first? Should I be good at parrying and deflecting to do well?
These are just some of the questions we'll answer in this guide.
1. You Don't Need to Play the Previous 'Onimusha' Games First
Let's get this out of the way. Capcom designed "Onimusha: Way of the Sword" as a fresh starting point, so newcomers do not need any knowledge of the previous games to follow its story. The game introduces its own take on the Oni and Genma and has no direct storyline connections to earlier entries, although longtime fans may recognize some familiar elements and homages.
2. Learn to Parry and Deflect Early
Parrying and Deflecting are central to the game, so learning both early can make combat much more manageable. Capcom describes the game's swordplay as being built around these defensive techniques, with successful defensive moves creating opportunities to counterattack and adding tactical depth to fights.
3. Don't Button-Mash
"Onimusha: Way of the Sword" rewards patience and timing rather than simply attacking as quickly as possible. Enemies have different attack patterns, while mechanics such as parries, Deflects and Issen require you to read incoming attacks and respond at the right moment, making a more deliberate approach much more effective than button-mashing.
4. Understand Issen and Break Issen
Issen is one of "Way of the Sword's" signature attacks, requiring precise timing to land a critical counterattack just as an enemy strikes.
Break Issen offers a more accessible alternative: once you completely deplete an enemy's Stamina Gauge, you can trigger the powerful attack without relying on the traditional frame-perfect timing, making it especially useful for beginners.
5. Absorb Genma Souls Whenever You Can
Defeated Genma release souls that Musashi can absorb with the Oni Gauntlet, making soul collectionan important part of "Onimusha: Way of the Sword's" combat and progression systems.
The three soul types serve different purposes: yellow souls restore health, red souls are used for upgrades, and blue souls power Oni Armaments, so absorbing them whenever it is safe can help you stay healthy and strengthen Musashi over time.
6. Be Careful About When You Absorb Souls
Don't treat soul absorption as something you can always do immediately after defeating an enemy. Certain Genma can absorb souls themselves, with Daidara being a notable example, so leaving them on the ground can actually make an encounter more difficult; however, you should still wait for a safe opening rather than rushing into an enemy attack just to collect them.
7. Keep an Eye on Enemy Stamina
Keeping an eye on enemy Stamina is key to making the most of "Onimusha: Way of the Sword's" combat system. Depleting an enemy's Stamina Gauge can leave it vulnerable to a Break Issen, giving you a powerful opening to deal heavy damage, so learning when to attack, defend, and pressure an enemy can make tougher encounters much easier.
8. Oni Powers Are Useful Outside Combat
Oni powers aren't limited to dealing damage, as some can also help Musashi navigate the environment and reach previously inaccessible areas. For example, Oni Strength can break through certain obstacles, while Oni Agility allows Musashi to run across specific walls, making these abilities useful for exploration as well as combat.
9. Take Time to Explore Kyoto
Kyoto is more than a backdrop in "Onimusha: Way of the Sword," serving as a larger hub area filled with treasures, upgrade materials, side content and hidden paths. The city also opens up as Musashi gains new Oni abilities, so revisiting previously explored areas can reveal routes and resources that were inaccessible earlier in the game.
10. Make Use of Every Weapon and Ability
Don't rely solely on Musashi's sword, as the game gives you a growing arsenal of Oni powers and special weapons that can change how you approach fights and exploration.
The Oni Bow, for example, can attack distant enemies and activate environmental mechanisms, while abilities such as Oni Strength can break enemy defenses and obstacles, so experimenting with your full arsenal can reveal easier ways through difficult encounters.
