In recent months, I’ve found more enjoyment in revisiting older games I originally missed than in playing new releases. The main reason? Many modern games are packed with season passes or live service elements to keep players engaged indefinitely. After years of playing titles like Destiny 2, I prefer games with complete stories—ones I can finish and then move on to something new.
During the Capcom Spotlight on February 4, 2025, a remaster of Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny was announced. The series had always intrigued me, but I never played it. I likely missed it when the original Onimusha launched in 2001 because, at the time, I was deeply into multiplayer FPS games and wasn’t paying attention to its release.
Fortunately, Onimusha: Warlords was re-released in 2018 for modern consoles. After the Capcom Spotlight ended, I checked its price and saw it was on sale for just $10. I took that as a sign—it was finally time to experience the series.
Onimusha Warlords Is A Product Of An Era
Set in 1560, Onimusha: Warlords begins during the Battle of Okehazama. As the game starts, Samanosuke and Kaede split up. Samanosuke encounters Princess Yuki but is attacked by the powerful Genma, Osric. Knocked unconscious, he is granted a mystical gauntlet by the Oni allowing him to absorb enemy souls.
Playing Onimusha: Warlords, transported me back to the late ‘90s and early 2000s. The game features distinctive design elements rarely seen in modern titles, such as fixed camera angles, cryptic puzzles, and an in-game map that provides little useful information.
While these elements can be frustrating, they ultimately push the player to improve. Throughout my playthrough, I often relied on memory to backtrack to previously inaccessible doors I could now unlock. This mechanic adds an extra layer of progression, encouraging players to master the game’s locations and optimal paths.
Mastering the game’s map felt especially crucial during moments when control switched to a different character. You switch to Kaede, a female ninja, instead of Samanosuke Akechi. During these sections, you often navigate through previously explored areas, but this time with a new objective leading you to unfamiliar locations.
Let’s Talk Combat
As players progress through different areas, they will encounter various enemy types. Quickly, you’ll find the first main weapon—the Fire Sword, Enryuu—but will eventually acquire two more, each infused with unique magical abilities. The game also features a range of weapons such as a bow and rifle. I found these hard to use due to the fixed camera angles.
Defeated enemies drop souls, some restore health, while others, like Essence, serve as in-game currency for upgrading weapons. However, players must remain stationary while absorbing these orbs, leaving them vulnerable to attacks. Choosing the right moment to collect them is crucial for survival.
One of the most frustrating aspects of combat was the inability to swap weapons while moving. This often put me in danger, especially when cornered and needed to switch to a specific weapon. It’s yet another reminder of how dated Onimusha: Warlords feels by today’s standards.
I would Recommend Onimusha Warlords But..
Despite minor frustrations, I enjoyed my Onimusha: Warlords playthrough, completing it in just over seven hours. However, players without nostalgia for the series should approach it with the right expectations, as its outdated design flaws can be challenging.
I’m excited for the upcoming Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny remaster, especially with Onimusha: Way of the Sword set for release in 2026. These modern releases will allow me to continue my Onimusha journey on the latest hardware.
