Onimusha: Way of the Sword Preview Details Combat and Character Design
Capcom's upcoming title, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, was recently showcased in a hands-on demo, highlighting its deliberate combat mechanics and impressive character modeling. The preview focused on a mission titled "Careful What You Wish For," set at Yasui Konpiragu Shrine, where protagonist Musashi confronts a Genma's influence. The game's defensive combat, including parrying and deflecting, was noted as a key feature, alongside seamless transitions between light and heavy attacks.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword was recently featured in a hands-on preview, following earlier appearances at last year's Summer Game Fest and the Tokyo Game Show. The demo offered an opportunity to experience the game's mechanics firsthand, after an initial hands-off presentation.
The preview session immersed players in a mission named “Careful What You Wish For,” which takes place at Yasui Konpiragu Shrine. Within the shrine, a Genma has reportedly overrun the area, performing actions on shrine-goers by relieving them of their burdens in a distorted manner. The protagonist, Musashi, accompanied by Shizuka—a voice emanating from his gauntlet—sets out to address the situation.
The primary objective within this mission is to establish contact with the soul of Yorimasa, an Oni revered as a hero. To achieve this, Musashi and Shizuka require the assistance of the Eight Stout Pillars, some of which are scattered around the shrine due to the Genma's influence.
Musashi's character design draws inspiration from legendary Japanese actor Toshiro Mifune, known for his work with director Akira Kurosawa. The game reportedly captures Mifune’s distinctive facial animations and mannerisms, including head scratches and shoulder shrugs, reflecting a detailed approach to character portrayal, a tradition seen in previous Onimusha titles like Onimusha 3 which featured Jean Reno.
The combat system in Onimusha: Way of the Sword is described as deliberate, moving away from a "combo mad" style. It incorporates standard light and heavy attacks, allowing for seamless transitions between them. A significant aspect of the gameplay is its emphasis on defensive maneuvers, where players can parry most attacks to create openings for retaliation or deflect attacks to build up an enemy's stagger meter, even against projectiles.
According to IGN, the game's combat mechanics and character presentation were notable aspects of the preview experience.
