Onimusha: Way of the Sword Is the Best Game I Played at Summer Game Fest

June 10, 2026 - 19:56

I thought I couldn't be any more impressed with Onimusha: Way of the Sword, but after a recent Summer Game Fest demo, I am convinced Capcom is cooking up another game-of-the-year candidate. The brief hands-on session was enough to erase any doubt that this long-dormant series is making a triumphant return. From the moment the demo started, the atmosphere was thick with tension. The classic feudal Japan setting is rendered with stunning detail, but it is the combat that truly shines.

Capcom has clearly refined the signature swordplay. Parries feel crisp and responsive, and landing a well-timed counterattack delivers a satisfying burst of power. The demo pitted me against a handful of familiar demons, but the new enemy designs hinted at a deeper bestiary waiting in the full game. The controls are tight, and the pacing strikes a perfect balance between deliberate, strategic clashes and frantic, life-or-death scrambles. There is no fluff here. Every encounter feels meaningful.

What stood out most was how the game respects the original Onimusha DNA while modernizing the experience. The camera is smooth, the animations are fluid, and the visual effects during special attacks are a treat. If this demo is any indication, Capcom has not just revived a franchise. They have sharpened it into a blade that could cut through the competition. Way of the Sword is shaping up to be a serious contender for action game of the year.