{"id":9058,"date":"2026-09-01T16:19:26","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T08:19:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/onimusha-way-of-the-sword-reviews-2026\/"},"modified":"2026-09-01T16:19:26","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T08:19:26","slug":"onimusha-way-of-the-sword-reviews-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/onimusha-way-of-the-sword-reviews-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Onimusha: Way of the Sword Reviews Are In \u2014 Critics Score Capcom&#8217;s Samurai Revival a Near-Perfect"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Three years after Capcom announced the revival, the critics have spoken \u2014 and they are enthusiastic. With <em>Onimusha: Way of the Sword<\/em> 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&#8217;s unmissable releases.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gt-video\">\n<div style=\"position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;height:0;overflow:hidden;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wVxtjOsXKgE\" title=\"Onimusha: Way of the Sword - Game Overview Trailer | Capcom Spotlight | 6.25.2026\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;border:0;\" allow=\"accelerometer;clipboard-write;encrypted-media;gyroscope;picture-in-picture;web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><figcaption>Onimusha: Way of the Sword &#8211; Game Overview Trailer | Capcom Spotlight | 6.25.2026 \u2014 via Capcom USA on YouTube<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Onimusha: Way of the Sword Review Scores at a Glance<\/h2>\n<p>Review embargoes lifted on 31 August, and the scores are strong across the board. Here is what critics are giving it ahead of launch:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>IGN<\/strong> \u2014 10\/10<\/li>\n<li><strong>Nintendo Life<\/strong> \u2014 9\/10<\/li>\n<li><strong>RPG Site<\/strong> \u2014 9\/10<\/li>\n<li><strong>Nintendo World Report<\/strong> \u2014 9\/10<\/li>\n<li><strong>Nintendo Insider<\/strong> \u2014 9\/10<\/li>\n<li><strong>Eurogamer<\/strong> \u2014 4\/5<\/li>\n<li><strong>TheSixthAxis<\/strong> \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thesixthaxis.com\/2026\/08\/31\/onimusha-way-of-the-sword-review\/\" rel=\"noopener\">8\/10<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Siliconera<\/strong> \u2014 7\/10<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Score aggregation is still building, but a cluster of 9s and 10s from major outlets this early is a clear signal. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/news\/2026\/09\/round-up-the-reviews-for-onimusha-way-of-the-sword-are-in\" rel=\"noopener\">Nintendo Life review roundup<\/a> has a useful running summary of scores and pull quotes if you want a one-stop overview.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/onimusha-way-of-the-sword-gameplay-1.jpg?w=474&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Onimusha: Way of the Sword \u2014 combat gameplay screenshot\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"><figcaption>Image courtesy of Capcom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>What Critics Are Saying About the Combat and Story<\/h2>\n<p>The headline score belongs to IGN&#8217;s perfect 10, whose reviewer called the experience transcendent: <em>&#8220;The controller falls away, the universe collapses, and the distance between you and Miyamoto Musashi is annihilated,&#8221;<\/em> as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/news\/2026\/09\/round-up-the-reviews-for-onimusha-way-of-the-sword-are-in\" rel=\"noopener\">relayed in the Nintendo Life roundup<\/a>. Nintendo World Report called it <em>&#8220;one of the most fun AAA action games I&#8217;ve played in quite some time.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>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. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thesixthaxis.com\/2026\/08\/31\/onimusha-way-of-the-sword-review\/\" rel=\"noopener\">TheSixthAxis&#8217;s 8\/10 review<\/a> praises the fluidity of the system while flagging that certain boss sequences push firmly into Soulslike precision territory \u2014 despite the director&#8217;s stated intent otherwise. Siliconera at 7\/10 is the lone critical dissent, citing combat options that lose variety over a longer playthrough.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/onimusha-way-of-the-sword-gameplay-2.jpg?w=474&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Onimusha: Way of the Sword \u2014 Edo-era Kyoto environment\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"><figcaption>Image courtesy of Capcom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Miyamoto Musashi in a Twisted Edo-Era Kyoto<\/h2>\n<p>The game follows Japan&#8217;s legendary historical swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, reimagined as the bearer of the Oni Gauntlet \u2014 a mystical artefact granting him the power to slay Genma, the monstrous underworld entities pouring into a corrupted Kyoto. Capcom&#8217;s Edo-period setting is atmospheric and historically rooted, but darkened by supernatural malice that warps the city&#8217;s streets and temple districts into something far more hostile.<\/p>\n<p>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&#8217;s other recent Switch 2 releases, with no notable performance compromises flagged.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/onimusha-way-of-the-sword-gameplay-3.jpg?w=474&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Onimusha: Way of the Sword \u2014 boss encounter\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"><figcaption>Image courtesy of Capcom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Getting Onimusha: Way of the Sword in Singapore<\/h2>\n<p><em>Onimusha: Way of the Sword<\/em> goes live on <strong>4 September 2026<\/strong> across all platforms simultaneously: PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via <a href=\"https:\/\/store.steampowered.com\/app\/2638890\/Onimusha_Way_of_the_Sword\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Steam<\/a>. 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 \u2014 check your storefront directly for the Singapore price. A <a href=\"https:\/\/store.steampowered.com\/agecheck\/app\/3974650\/\" rel=\"noopener\">free demo<\/a> covering the game&#8217;s opening section is already live on Steam if you want to try before you commit.<\/p>\n<p>For context on the lead-up, see our earlier coverage of the <a href=\"\/blog\/onimusha-way-of-the-sword-oni-awakening-gamescom-2026-demo\/\">Oni Awakening trailer and Gamescom demo<\/a>, as well as Onimusha&#8217;s win at the <a href=\"\/blog\/gamescom-award-2026-winners-onimusha-arknights\/\">Gamescom Awards 2026<\/a>. With a rare 10\/10 from IGN and a wall of 9s behind it, <em>Way of the Sword<\/em> is looking like a serious contender for the year&#8217;s best action game. Check out our <a href=\"\/blog\/category\/game-news\/\">latest game news<\/a> for more Singapore gaming updates.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/onimusha-way-of-the-sword-gameplay-4.jpg?w=474&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Onimusha: Way of the Sword \u2014 action gameplay sequence\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"><figcaption>Image courtesy of Capcom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><!--GT-SCOUT source=\"Web (English)\" theme=\"Video games\" flags=\"none\"--><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Review embargoes lifted 31 August and the scores are stunning \u2014 IGN hands out a 10\/10, with Nintendo Life, RPG Site and more all at 9\/10. Onimusha: Way of the Sword launches 4 September on PS5, Switch 2, Xbox and PC.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":9053,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":[]},"categories":[11],"tags":[85,45,75,64],"class_list":["post-9058","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-game-news","tag-capcom","tag-nintendo-switch-2","tag-onimusha","tag-ps5"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/onimusha-way-of-the-sword-header.jpg?fit=460%2C215&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p13AlF-2m6","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7342,"url":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/onimusha-severing-fates-trailer-demo-live-2026\/","url_meta":{"origin":9058,"position":0},"title":"Onimusha: Way of the Sword \u2014 &#8220;Severing Fates&#8221; Trailer Out, Demo Live Now","date":"August 7, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Capcom drops the atmospheric 'Severing Fates' story trailer for Onimusha: Way of the Sword, and a free demo is live right now on PS5, Xbox Series and PC ahead of the September 4 launch.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Game News&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/oni_ss1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3566,"url":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/onimusha-way-of-the-sword-september-2026\/","url_meta":{"origin":9058,"position":1},"title":"Onimusha: Way of the Sword \u2014 The Series Returns After 20 Years, Out 25 September","date":"June 15, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Capcom's legendary samurai slasher is back after a 20-year absence. Onimusha: Way of the Sword hits PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2 on 25 September 2026, with a free demo available right now.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Game News&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/onimusha_hero.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":8747,"url":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/onimusha-way-of-the-sword-oni-awakening-gamescom-2026-demo\/","url_meta":{"origin":9058,"position":2},"title":"Onimusha: Way of the Sword Gets Oni Awakening Trailer and Expanded Demo \u2014 Out 4 September","date":"August 27, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Capcom's Gamescom trailer reveals Musashi's Oni Awakening transformation and two new boss enemies. A free expanded demo \u2014 now on Nintendo Switch 2 \u2014 adds the Oni Refuge area and a fight with boss Daidara.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Game News&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/onimusha-musashi-portrait.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4183,"url":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/capcom-spotlight-june-2026-recap\/","url_meta":{"origin":9058,"position":3},"title":"Capcom Spotlight June 2026 Recap: Dragon\u2019s Dogma 2 Expansion, Onimusha Release Date, MH Stories 3 DLC","date":"June 25, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The Capcom Spotlight June 2026 delivered three big updates: Dragon\u2019s Dogma 2 Dark Arisen expands to Switch 2 on 9 October, Onimusha Way of the Sword locks in 25 September, and Monster Hunter Stories 3 gets a Rudy DLC.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Game News&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/dd2-dark-arisen-screenshot.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":8851,"url":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/gamescom-award-2026-winners-onimusha-arknights\/","url_meta":{"origin":9058,"position":4},"title":"Gamescom Awards 2026: Onimusha and Arknights Lead the Winners","date":"August 29, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Gamescom Award 2026 winners revealed: Onimusha: Way of the Sword takes Best Gameplay and Best PlayStation, Arknights: Endfield wins Best Booth. Full results inside.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Game News&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/onimusha-boss-fight.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4031,"url":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/capcom-spotlight-june-25-2026-singapore\/","url_meta":{"origin":9058,"position":5},"title":"Capcom Spotlight June 25: What Singapore Gamers Need to Know","date":"June 23, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Capcom Spotlight returns on 25 June with Dragon's Dogma II: Dark Arisen, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, and Monster Hunter Stories 3 on the confirmed lineup.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Game News&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/capcom-spotlight-june-2026.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9058"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9058"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9058\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9053"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9058"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9058"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9058"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}