Capcom currently has a solid track record for long-running, quality titles that infuse a variety of themes, which begs the question of why itsOnimushafranchise has yet to return. Set during a mythical period of Japanese history, players assume the role of samurai who uncover demonic plots against the nation’s clans.Onimushawas last seen in a 2018 remaster of its first entry,Onimusha: Warlords, and its supernatural elements might be appreciated in a new release that truly captures the horror and drama of its thrilling setting.
With critically acclaimed releases like FromSoft’sSekiro: Shadows Die TwiceandGhost of Tsushimafrom Sucker Punch Productions, it’s clear that the medium has an opening for even more imaginative quests inspired by feudal Japan.Onimushais among the best samurai games, and like Capcom’sResident Evilseries, it has a unique take that emphasizes tense gameplay. Many years have passed since the games were in their prime, which could be an opportunity for a surprising, modern reboot in the vein of the 2023Resident Evil 4remake.
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The Significance of Capcom’s Onimusha Series
InOnimusha: Warlords, Capcom presented a strong story pairing heroes with strange Oni powers; enabling item upgrades, puzzle-solving across treacherous passageways, and cutscenes that revealed mysterious, evil forces lurking within those shadowy environments. Subsequent entries honed in on these themes, developing a dangerous atmosphere empowered by fantasy. While now considered one of thePS2’s forgotten hack-and-slash classics, the series is still revered for how it built upon Capcom’s hallmarks in survival horror and adventure gaming.
Often characterized as an action game first,Onimushaalso combined cinematic exploration alongside duels against demons and intimidating bosses. It all makes for a streamlined yet smooth formula, something that could work in its favor, especially in a genre that is prone to unnecessary padding. Historically,Onimushawas considered the hack-and-slash counterpart toclassicResident Evilgames, partially because of their shared, fixed camera perspective and knack for enemy ambushes. Not that the franchise can’t return on its own terms, butResident Evilhas been undergoing a renaissance lately, so that connection might be critical in bringing Capcom’s samurai IP back from obscurity.
A New Onimusha Could Match the Quality of the Resident Evil Remakes
Thepositive reception toward theResident Evil 4remakedemonstrates Capcom will probably not stop investing in its legacy IPs any time soon. The company has rightfully improved its reputation by respecting its most seminal titles - faithful recreations and innovative sequels both being factors in that larger endeavor. Given its recent trend of success, it’s time forOnimushato be a part of the equation before it’s too late. A new entry has the potential to reinvigorate the IP after a long hiatus, introducing gamers to the supernatural swordplay of the original games with modernizations similar toResident Evilremakes.
Indeed,Onimushaexists in a different genre fromResident Evil, but they do overlap in a couple of important ways. Like the firstResident Evil’s mansion,Onimusha: Warlordstraps players inside branching rooms in the form of a sprawling castle. Another similarity is that they must also manage resources whilst exploring colorful, pre-rendered backgrounds that help tell a story veiled in mystery. Nevertheless, it’s fair to believe that some updates are overdue too. To match the quality of modern releases,Onimushacan take cues fromSekiroor the immersive, third-person view of newerResident Evilgames to let players position themselves more precisely.
Melee is a focal point of the experience, although a few magical features may make its combat distinct as well. One example is the Oni Gauntlet which can be wielded to fuel powerful counterattacks or absorb the souls of defeated Genma demons. On the whole, if Capcom has an interest in broadening its action-adventure efforts, anOnimusharevival would likely be appreciated by fans of the originals and samurai stories in general.
