Capcom’s iconic action series returns, but this time the developers are determined to make Onimusha: Way of the Sword more accessible than ever. Instead of chasing the hardcore trend set by FromSoftware, the game is designed to welcome new fans with a focus on narrative and exploration.

After nearly two decades, Onimusha is back, and Capcom is taking a bold new direction. Behind closed doors at Summer Game Fest, the team revealed that Onimusha: Way of the Sword is built on a series of linear missions, not on the punishing difficulty levels found in FromSoftware titles. In an interview with Multiplayer, producer Akihito Kadowaki and director Satoru Nihei explained that the aim was never to create a brutally hard experience, but to allow players of all backgrounds to jump in and enjoy the game’s world and story.

“Onimusha: Way of the Sword is structured around sequential missions, each with a fairly linear path but plenty of hidden areas. After defeating the boss, you progress to the next mission. The demo only showcased a small fraction of what’s in a level like Kiyomizu-dera, and while the overall design is linear, there’s lots of content to discover in every stage,” say the developers.

Capcom’s approach is clear: “We didn’t revive Onimusha because of the recent trend for ultra-hard video games. Quite the opposite – our goal is to create an experience that’s enjoyable for as wide an audience as possible. We want to offer satisfaction to both hardcore players and newcomers alike, whether they’re here for the gameplay or just want to explore the story and setting.”

This time, the narrative is front and center. The team believes that’s the key to opening the franchise to a new audience, and with a playable demo already set for Gamescom, Onimusha: Way of the Sword is expected to launch in the first half of 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC.

Source: WCCFTech, Multiplayer