The Sword of Hope

Legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi considered himself more an artist than a fighter. A keen strategist and a self-proclaimed master of war, I think it's Musashi's art that hits more keenly than his katana: it's minimalist, monochromatic, a study of nature defined by its simple brilliance. Less is more. Whether intentional or not, I think Capcom may have internalised this philosophy when creating Onimusha: Way of the Sword - a game based loosely on the life and conquests of Musashi. Seldom over-complicated and often composed with artisanal skill, Way of the Sword takes the philosophies of 16t

Ferociously good combat brings this long-dormant series back from the afterlife.

An incredible action game with an excellent story to match.

Its bosses are every bit as demanding as those found in a Soulslike, but the journey between them isn't built around constant punishment. Onimusha: Way of the Sword is a game that manages to challenge the player without becoming exhausting, allowing the game to shift naturally between moments of intense concentration and opportunities to simply enjoy stylish swordplay.

Often, you leave a demo satisfied. But sometimes, you put down your controller with another thought in mind: “Yeah, I could keep going.” If Capcom had let me, I would have played Onimusha: Way of the Sword all day.