Onimusha: Way of the Sword beginner guide: how long to beat, tips, PC specs

Capcom has brought Onimusha back after almost twenty years. You play as Miyamoto Musashi, who in Edo-period Kyoto gets a demonic gauntlet that absorbs the souls of slain Genma demons. It is not an open world but a mission-based game: you head out on missions from a small hub in Eastern Kyoto and return there in between.

Below is what is worth knowing before your first launch: how long it takes, which difficulty to choose, how not to get lost in the combat system and what your PC needs.

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How long it takes to beat

The developers themselves gave a figure of about 20 hours. Estimates from players and outlets run a little higher — it depends on how carefully you search the levels.

There are 21–22 main missions depending on how you count them, plus separate side encounters. The highest difficulty unlocks only after your first clear, so 100% effectively means two playthroughs.

Which difficulty to choose

Two difficulties are available from the start: Story and Action. Story is not a "movie mode" but a regular difficulty for those who want to enjoy the plot. Action is the standard for players who know slashers and Souls-likes. The third, Carnage, unlocks after the ending: enemies hit so hard there that a single missed blow can kill you.

Regular enemies in Onimusha are rarely a problem — the difficulty spikes on bosses. If you get stuck, switch to Story without guilt.

The combat system in five minutes

Don't mash attack

The main beginner mistake is attacking non-stop. The game punishes it: attack, watch how the enemy reacts and pick your answer. Almost any attack can be cancelled into defence, so striking first costs you nothing as long as you guard in time.

Four ways to defend

• Block — costs stamina, stops most weapon attacks.
• Parry — a block at the moment of impact: the enemy staggers and you get a window to counter.
• Deflect (unlocks later) — a directional block: drains enemy stamina and sends projectiles back.
• Dodge — for unarmed attacks and grabs. A perfect dodge fills the reflex gauge, and a full gauge gives a special combo.

Issen — the series signature

Issen is a counter you press a split second before the enemy's hit lands. It kills regular enemies outright and takes a big chunk off a boss. Don't wait for Issen the whole fight: catch it on slow, clearly telegraphed boss attacks. If you mash the button in panic, the game briefly locks you out.

When an enemy's stamina is empty, Break Issen opens up. On bosses you can choose where to strike: red marks give more damage, purple marks give more souls. Low on health — take souls; boss almost down — take damage.

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Souls and upgrades

The gauntlet absorbs three kinds of souls:

• yellow — heal you;
• red — currency for upgrades;
• blue — charge special weapons, the Oni Armaments.

Absorbing takes a moment, and during it Musashi is open to attack — and some enemies can steal souls. Collect them when nobody is nearby.

Materials for clothing and the sword are in small chests in Kyoto and on missions — check every corner. Gauntlet materials come from closed rifts and recurring mini-bosses. After one of the story missions a monument unlocks where surplus red souls can be traded for materials — don't let souls sit idle.

A few more tips for the start

1. On the first settings screen, pick a control layout: aggressive or defensive. The defensive one puts block on the left bumper — more familiar if you have played Souls games. You can change it any time in the options.
2. Visit the training ground and do the Issen drills — it will save you dozens of deaths on bosses.
3. You can carry six consumables; swap the set at the storehouse near a shrine. Use prayer beads before areas with poisonous mist.
4. Save the Oni Armaments for bosses.
5. Look for environmental tools: carts and mats can be kicked into enemies, barrels can be shot.

PC system requirements

Both tiers require Windows 11 64-bit and an SSD — a regular hard drive is not supported. You need about 50 GB of space. DLSS and FSR are available.

If you get stutter in the city, players recommend lowering Mesh Quality. If the game hangs on the additional content check, clear the Steam download cache.

What to know before renting

• The game is single-player only, there is no multiplayer.
• The first launch needs an internet connection — the copy protection requires it. So the order is: sign in, download the game, launch it once online, and only then switch Steam to offline mode (see how it works).
• Languages: full English voice-over and many others; there is no Ukrainian.
• Scores: 83 on Metacritic (PC), "Very Positive" reviews on Steam. Players praise the combat, the bosses and the protagonist, and criticise reused mini-bosses and uneven pacing.

Sources

• Steam store page — requirements, languages, release date
• Gamereactor: length according to Capcom
• GameTyrant: how long to beat
• NoobFeed: list of main missions
• IGN: 9 combat tips (video) and 7 things to know before playing (video)
• DSOGaming: PC performance analysis