Onimusha Warlords

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Story and Setting

Feudal Japan Meets the Supernatural

Onimusha: Warlords is set during the Sengoku period of Japan, a time of intense political and military conflict. The game follows the story of Samanosuke Akechi, a skilled samurai who is called upon to rescue Princess Yuki from the clutches of the malevolent warlord Nobunaga Oda. However, the narrative quickly takes a turn for the supernatural, as Samanosuke discovers that Nobunaga’s forces are being aided by demonic creatures known as Genma.

The story of Onimusha: Warlords is a blend of historical events and fictional fantasy elements. Nobunaga Oda, a real-life figure who played a significant role in Japan’s unification, is reimagined as a villainous character who has made a pact with demons to achieve his ambitions. The game’s plot is straightforward but engaging, driven by Samanosuke’s quest to defeat the Genma and rescue Princess Yuki.

Characters and Narrative

The characters in Onimusha: Warlords are well-developed, particularly for a game of its time. Samanosuke Akechi is a stoic and determined protagonist, embodying the ideal of a samurai with his sense of duty and honor. Throughout the game, he is joined by Kaede, a kunoichi (female ninja) who serves as his loyal companion. Kaede’s character adds depth to the narrative, providing a strong, independent counterpart to Samanosuke.

The game’s antagonist, Nobunaga Oda, is depicted as a power-hungry warlord who has allied himself with demonic forces. While his motivations are clear, it’s the Genma, the demonic creatures serving Nobunaga, that truly drive the game’s supernatural horror elements. The Genma are grotesque and formidable, serving as both enemies and key elements in the game’s lore.

The story unfolds through a combination of in-game events, pre-rendered cutscenes, and letters or scrolls that Samanosuke finds during his journey. These elements combine to create an immersive narrative that, while simple, effectively keeps players engaged from start to finish.

Gameplay Mechanics

Combat System

One of the defining features of Onimusha: Warlords is its combat system, which combines elements of hack-and-slash action with strategic considerations. Players control Samanosuke in a third-person perspective, using a variety of weapons and magic to defeat enemies.

• Weapons and Magic: Samanosuke’s primary weapons are the katana and other melee weapons he acquires throughout the game. These weapons can be enhanced with magical elements, such as fire, lightning, or wind, which not only increase their power but also unlock new combat abilities. The magical attacks are visually impressive and add a layer of strategy to combat, as players must choose the right weapon and elemental affinity for different enemies.
• Soul Absorption: One of the unique mechanics in Onimusha: Warlords is the ability to absorb the souls of defeated enemies using the Oni Gauntlet. There are different types of souls: red souls, which are used to upgrade weapons and items; yellow souls, which restore health; and blue souls, which replenish magic. This mechanic encourages players to engage in combat rather than avoid it, as collecting souls is essential for progression.
• Puzzles and Exploration: In addition to combat, Onimusha: Warlords features a variety of puzzles that players must solve to advance. These puzzles range from finding and using items in the correct location to deciphering codes or navigating trap-laden environments. While not as complex as those in some other games, the puzzles add variety to the gameplay and provide a break from the combat.
• Fixed Camera Angles: Like its spiritual predecessor Resident Evil, Onimusha: Warlords utilizes fixed camera angles. While this design choice can sometimes make combat and exploration challenging due to limited visibility, it also contributes to the game’s tension and atmosphere. Players must carefully navigate environments, often anticipating enemy attacks from off-screen.

Difficulty and Balance

Onimusha: Warlords is known for its challenging difficulty, especially in the early stages when players are still mastering the combat mechanics. The game strikes a balance between challenging and fair, with most of its difficulty stemming from the need to manage resources carefully—such as health, magic, and upgrade materials. Boss fights, in particular, are demanding and require players to understand enemy patterns and use their abilities strategically.

The remastered version of Onimusha: Warlords includes a new Easy Mode, which makes the game more accessible to newcomers while still retaining the core challenge that defines the experience. This mode offers more generous health and item drops, as well as less aggressive enemy AI, allowing players to focus more on the story and exploration.

Graphics and Audio

Visuals

The original Onimusha: Warlords was a visually striking game for its time, utilizing pre-rendered backgrounds and detailed character models. The remastered version brings these visuals into the modern era with high-definition graphics and widescreen support.

• Character Models: The character models in the remaster have been updated with higher resolution textures, giving Samanosuke, Kaede, and the various enemies a more polished appearance. While the models are still based on early 2000s designs, the enhancements make them more visually appealing on modern displays.
• Environments: The game’s environments are richly detailed, capturing the dark and eerie atmosphere of feudal Japan. From dimly lit castles to haunted forests, the backgrounds contribute to the game’s immersive world. The remaster retains the original pre-rendered backgrounds but enhances them with improved resolution and clarity.
• Cinematic Cutscenes: The pre-rendered cutscenes, which were impressive at the time of the original release, have been upscaled for the remaster. While they may not match the quality of today’s CGI, they still effectively convey the game’s dramatic moments and story progression.

Audio and Soundtrack

The audio design in Onimusha: Warlords plays a crucial role in creating the game’s atmosphere. The remastered version enhances the original sound effects and voice acting, bringing them in line with contemporary standards.

• Sound Effects: The game’s sound effects, from the clash of swords to the eerie noises of the Genma, are crisp and impactful. The sound design enhances the tension during combat and exploration, making each encounter more intense.
• Voice Acting: The voice acting in Onimusha: Warlords is solid, with Samanosuke’s character being particularly well-performed. The remaster includes both the original Japanese voice track and an English dub, giving players the option to choose their preferred language.
• Music: The game’s soundtrack is a blend of traditional Japanese instruments and orchestral compositions, creating an epic and atmospheric score that complements the game’s setting and tone. The music shifts dynamically depending on the situation, enhancing the emotional impact of key moments and the overall sense of tension.

Onimusha: Warlords – Mega Man X Legacy Collection, Mega Man 11, Devil May Cry HD Collection, Devil May Cry 5, Resident Evil 2 Remake… what’s going on with Capcom?

Is the company looking to the past, really rediscovering the games that millions of players once loved, associated with childhood, and then expanding them?

Is Capcom… really listening to the fans?

It’s ridiculous that in this era, a lot of the big guys tried to create games for “petty money” rather than entertainment.

A Konami exploiting elite staff and “transforming” a famous Metal Gear game line into a multiplayer product, a Blizzard with “breakthrough” Diablo Immortal without fans interested, a Bethesda with Fallout 76 some problem.

In such a large forest of “mirrors”, it is fortunate that we still see giant companies trying to “find their roots”, as Capcom is doing here.

And a notable name in Capcom’s list of “classic resurrection” is Onimusha: Warlords.

Released in 2001 on the first PlayStation, Onimusha: Warlords made a great impression on players, enough for Capcom to release three more Onimusha games after that.

Unfortunately, the fourth version, Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams on the PlayStation 2, has been rated quite well, but the low sales somewhat make Capcom “forget” this game line … until today!

Is Capcom going to revive the Onimusha series like they did with Mega Man or Devil May Cry?

Time will answer.

But first, invite you and Biareview to take a look at the main features of Onimusha: Warlords!

To describe Onimusha: Warlords’ fighting system, perhaps it would be easier if you’ve played two other Capcom classic titles: Resident Evil and Devil May Cry.

In Resident Evil, the way you move is crucial to deceive the zombies, distract or attack them from behind instead of rolling directly. Devil May Cry, on the other hand, is more inclined to hold hands, the faster and more accurate the attack, the more advantage you will have.

Like a space between two big names, Onimusha: Warlords depicts a mechanism that requires skillful movement to avoid enemy attacks or shield direction. However, the game also contains a little bit of a feeling of cutting and cutting. Furthermore, you can also use ranged weapons such as bows or guns, and even use magic spells.

The battles in Onimusha: Warlords are a great combination of agility and intelligence. You must be agile to take advantage of the loophole, attack when the opponent is still weak, not yet hit. But you also have to be smart to know when to stop, when to run to avoid taking damage.

Besides chopping, Onimusha: Warlords also changes by inserting puzzle challenges. Instead of being quick and quick, you can relax, enjoy the time to “defeat” the puzzles of sorting numbers, decoding characters, or choosing the right path.

Next, upgrading plays a pretty important role in the game. After defeating the demons, you can collect their souls to use in upgrading weapons, gems, or items. Since the game doesn’t have a character level, upgrading weapons is the only way to show you’re getting stronger. Besides, upgrading gems will help you unlock more areas, needed to continue the storyline. Finally, you can upgrade your inventory, and especially importantly, herbs to medicine.

On a side note, Herb is a weaker item with less health than Medicine. But the amount of Herb or Medicine you can earn in the game is quite limited, so if you have Medicine, you should prioritize using it first. After all, it also heals a lot of health so you don’t have to use it 2-3 times of Herb, and you can upgrade Herb to Medicine later.

If you are new to Onimusha: Warlords, you may not find the game very impressive. The graphics are not much better than the prototype gripped nearly 20 years ago, so it will make many people “thorny”. The plot is completely linear, without a choice, a turn. The playing time is not too much, maybe about 5 hours if you play for the first time and don’t do something stupid like… use all the Herb as mentioned.

But the game has been very successful in building a “concept” evil warrior Onimusha.

The image of a hero to eliminate wickedness can be said to be the classic motif of the sutras. But Onimusha: Warlords has created its character by injecting into it the “real” quality. The main character is a completely real and real Ronin (Samurai without a master) in history, not a flashy Dante or Nero, cool from head to toe. The historical setting is taken in the Warring States period of Japanese history, and the important supporting character has Nobunaga… correct. The devil in the game certainly can not be real, but the game also has a way to take inspiration from Japanese mythology and then incorporate them into the plot so that the most reasonable and reliable.

In short, Onimusha: Warlords does not impress players by pursuing a fantasy.

Instead, the game creates a highlight by bringing fantasy closer to reality, close to the history of Japan itself.

Since then, the game creates a very unique atmosphere and is a great launcher for the next games.

where can you get a Onimusha Warlords online

Onimusha: Warlords – PlayStation 4 Standard Edition: Buy it now

Onimusha: Warlords – Xbox One Standard Edition: Buy it now

Onimusha: Warlords – Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]: Buy it now

Onimusha: Warlords (PS2) by Capcom: Buy it now

Final Verdict: A Classic Worth Replaying

For Fans of the Original

For those who played Onimusha: Warlords when it was first released, the remaster offers a chance to relive the experience with improved visuals and sound. The game remains faithful to its original design, preserving the elements that made it a beloved classic. While some aspects may feel dated, the nostalgia and familiarity will likely outweigh any minor frustrations for longtime fans.

For New Players

For new players, especially those who have never experienced the original, Onimusha: Warlords presents an opportunity to explore a piece of gaming history. The game’s unique blend of action, horror, and historical fantasy offers an experience that stands out even among modern titles. While the fixed camera angles and tank controls may require some adjustment, the game’s atmosphere, story, and combat make it a worthwhile journey.

The Legacy of Onimusha: Warlords

Onimusha: Warlords is more than just a game—it’s a testament to an era of gaming where experimentation and blending of genres led to the creation of timeless experiences. The game’s influence can be seen in many titles that followed, and its place in the history of action-adventure games is well-deserved.

The remaster ensures that Onimusha: Warlords remains accessible to both old and new audiences, preserving its legacy for future generations. Whether you are drawn to the game for its historical setting, supernatural elements, or challenging combat, Onimusha: Warlords continues to be a classic worth revisiting.

Conclusion

Onimusha: Warlords may be a product of its time, but it is also a game that has aged remarkably well. Its combination of action, horror, and historical fantasy, set against the backdrop of feudal Japan, offers a unique experience that remains compelling today. The remastered version successfully brings this classic to a new generation of players while allowing longtime fans to relive their memories with enhanced visuals and sound.

In a gaming landscape that is constantly evolving, Onimusha: Warlords stands as a reminder of the enduring appeal of well-crafted, story-driven experiences. Its legacy continues to inspire, and its place in the annals of gaming history is secure. Whether you are a seasoned samurai or a newcomer to the world of Onimusha, Warlords is a game that deserves your attention and respect.