Three years after Capcom announced the revival, the critics have spoken — and they are enthusiastic. With Onimusha: Way of the Sword launching on 4 September on PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S and PC, review embargoes dropped on 31 August to reveal some of the strongest scores a Capcom action game has earned in years. The verdict: it is the best entry in the series by quite a margin, and one of September’s unmissable releases.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword Review Scores at a Glance
Review embargoes lifted on 31 August, and the scores are strong across the board. Here is what critics are giving it ahead of launch:
- IGN — 10/10
- Nintendo Life — 9/10
- RPG Site — 9/10
- Nintendo World Report — 9/10
- Nintendo Insider — 9/10
- Eurogamer — 4/5
- TheSixthAxis — 8/10
- Siliconera — 7/10
Score aggregation is still building, but a cluster of 9s and 10s from major outlets this early is a clear signal. The Nintendo Life review roundup has a useful running summary of scores and pull quotes if you want a one-stop overview.
What Critics Are Saying About the Combat and Story
The headline score belongs to IGN’s perfect 10, whose reviewer called the experience transcendent: “The controller falls away, the universe collapses, and the distance between you and Miyamoto Musashi is annihilated,” as relayed in the Nintendo Life roundup. Nintendo World Report called it “one of the most fun AAA action games I’ve played in quite some time.”
The consensus around the combat is consistent: a deliberate, deflection-focused system that rewards reading enemy stances and waiting for openings rather than button-mashing. TheSixthAxis’s 8/10 review praises the fluidity of the system while flagging that certain boss sequences push firmly into Soulslike precision territory — despite the director’s stated intent otherwise. Siliconera at 7/10 is the lone critical dissent, citing combat options that lose variety over a longer playthrough.
Miyamoto Musashi in a Twisted Edo-Era Kyoto
The game follows Japan’s legendary historical swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, reimagined as the bearer of the Oni Gauntlet — a mystical artefact granting him the power to slay Genma, the monstrous underworld entities pouring into a corrupted Kyoto. Capcom’s Edo-period setting is atmospheric and historically rooted, but darkened by supernatural malice that warps the city’s streets and temple districts into something far more hostile.
Critics consistently highlight the cinematography and character animation as standouts for a series making its return after more than a decade. Musashi himself is described as charming and well-characterised, carrying the narrative with personality alongside the blade work. Switch 2 owners can also breathe easy: reviewers report the port running comparably to Capcom’s other recent Switch 2 releases, with no notable performance compromises flagged.
Getting Onimusha: Way of the Sword in Singapore
Onimusha: Way of the Sword goes live on 4 September 2026 across all platforms simultaneously: PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Physical copies should be available at major game retailers and electronics chains in Singapore from launch day. Regional pricing on the PlayStation Store and Nintendo eShop may differ — check your storefront directly for the Singapore price. A free demo covering the game’s opening section is already live on Steam if you want to try before you commit.
For context on the lead-up, see our earlier coverage of the Oni Awakening trailer and Gamescom demo, as well as Onimusha’s win at the Gamescom Awards 2026. With a rare 10/10 from IGN and a wall of 9s behind it, Way of the Sword is looking like a serious contender for the year’s best action game. Check out our latest game news for more Singapore gaming updates.
