Launching September 4 for PlayStation 5, Onimusha: Method of the Sword brings gamers to early Edo-period Kyoto, a historic capital beneath siege by monstrous fiends referred to as Genma. Gamers step into the sneakers of Miyamoto Musashi, who unleashes supernatural Oni powers in an action-packed swordplay saga. Placing a daring impression because the protagonist, Musashi’s face mannequin is predicated on the legendary samurai film icon, Toshiro Mifune.
Trailer 6 unveiled: That includes new lethal threats and Musashi’s Oni Awakening
At Gamescom 2026, Capcom debuted Trailer 6, showcasing intense swordplay in opposition to formidable new opponents and Musashi overpowering his enemies by releasing his internal Oni energy by “Oni Awakening.”
Demo replace out now: Face off in opposition to the fearsome new boss, Daidara
The demo presently obtainable on PlayStation Retailer has obtained a content material replace, increasing the playable areas for gamers to discover. Followers can now take a look at their metal in opposition to an enormous new boss, Daidara. Moreover, carrying over save knowledge from the demo unlocks the “Kubi Akari” Attraction within the full sport and boosts Musashi’s stats.
Capcom interview: creating an Onimusha sport anybody can soar into
We spoke with producer Akihito Kadowaki and director Satoru Nihei concerning the sport’s world and fight, the recreation of Toshiro Mifune, and the way the group is benefiting from PS5 options.
PlayStation Weblog: May you inform us about your inventive imaginative and prescient and key highlights for constructing this sport’s world?
Nihei: The sport is ready in Kyoto and is centered across the real-world Rokudo Chinno-ji Temple. Navigating the historic streets of Kyoto whereas experiencing native folklore and thriller kinds a significant a part of our world-building.
We rebuilt the universe from the bottom up in order that first-time gamers can soar proper in with none information of the earlier titles. We needed to redefine the core ideas: What are the Oni? What’s Genma? Because of this, there are not any direct storyline connections to earlier video games within the franchise. On this story, Genma dwells within the depths of hell and spills into the human realm by portals when Malice overflows. The Oni exist to protect these gateways and destroy any Genma that try and attempt to cross into our world.
What challenges did you encounter in bringing Toshiro Mifune to life inside the sport?
Nihei: Since he’s not with us, sourcing reference materials and never having the ability to conduct 3D facial scans introduced some challenges. Nonetheless, because of the beneficiant assist of Mifune Productions, we’re assured that now we have recreated his iconic presence with utmost constancy.
Kadowaki: Mifune Productions reviewed our progress on facial expressions and cutscenes at a number of levels. After they ultimately instructed us, “It seems so spot-on, we really feel like we don’t even must evaluate it anymore”, it was an extremely rewarding second for our whole group.
How did you seize that signature visceral slicing really feel that defines the Onimusha sequence?
Nihei: We realized that the inspiration of that visceral slicing really feel comes all the way down to the pure satisfaction of reducing by an opponent. Having a system like Dynamic Dismemberment, which permits enemies to be sliced cleanly alongside the precise trajectory of your blade, is an important factor in amplifying that thrilling suggestions. On prime of that, we launched Break Issen, an assault you possibly can set off when you fully deplete an enemy’s Stamina Gauge. Historically, Issen required strict frame-perfect timing, however this new system permits gamers to expertise these iconic assaults throughout a a lot wider number of fight eventualities.
Are there any PS5-exclusive options, equivalent to haptic suggestions or adaptive triggers, that you just’ve built-in?
Nihei: For haptic suggestions, we optimized vibration knowledge generated straight from audio waveforms, creating haptic responses that sync seamlessly with cutscene visuals and sound. We additionally leverage haptics to bodily convey the overwhelming scale of huge Genma, the feeling of absorbing souls, and the affect of weapon strikes.
For adaptive triggers, drawing the bowstring will increase bodily resistance on the set off. Moreover, when sealing the demonic portals referred to as “Rift” from which Genma emerge, gamers should bodily squeeze the set off all the way in which down to soak up them.
3D audio clearly performs a significant position in elevating the immersion of each the narrative and fight. What was your method to the sound design for this title?
Nihei: Our purpose with 3D Audio was to seize the genuine ambiance of Kyoto and make the battles with Genma really feel really actual. We recorded Impulse Response audio straight inside actual Japanese temples and historic residences. By implementing multi-channel IR knowledge, together with top channels, we precisely reproduced the distinctive acoustics of conventional Japanese structure. We additionally utilized vertical sound positioning for flying Genma and collapsing constructions to deepen the sense of scale. Moreover, the DualSense controller speaker outputs audio results like soul absorption and voices echoing from the Oni Gauntlet.
Past every thing now we have lined thus far, what are some key particulars you might be most excited for gamers to find?
Nihei: I’d say it’s the degree of realism we achieved by intensive analysis in shut collaboration with the Metropolis of Kyoto. For instance, the variety of picket pillars supporting the stage at Kiyomizu-dera Temple matches the precise rely of the particular construction. In the meantime, though the well-known Twin Dragons ceiling portray at Kennin-ji Temple didn’t really exist throughout the Edo interval, we selected to incorporate it as a result of we needed gamers to expertise the identical breathtaking awe as anybody visiting the temple right this moment.
— Lastly, do you could have a message for the followers who’re eagerly awaiting the discharge?
Kadowaki: We’ve stored you ready a very long time, however the sport is lastly prepared. Please give the demo a strive first, and when you really feel like it’s one thing you’ll take pleasure in, we’d be thrilled when you picked up the complete sport.
