The Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny remaster is a polished trip to the franchise’s weirdest entry

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2026 will see the arrival of another installment in the Onimusha series, rekindling excitement for fans, as Capcom also plans to release the classic games on modern platforms. Back in 2019, we saw a remaster of the original Onimusha: Warlords, and now, before the upcoming Onimusha: Way of the Sword in 2025, Capcom has given Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny a facelift. I recently played through some early stages, discovering that this remaster is not merely a cosmetic upgrade. Quality-of-life and user interface improvements have transformed Onimusha 2 Remastered into an enhanced gaming experience altogether.

A gathering of legendary warriors

In terms of Onimusha games, Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny stands out as both peculiar yet favored – it’s my top pick from the series. The narrative revolves around Nobunaga Oda, a demonically resurrected figure, who launches an attack on Yagyu Village, the home of the renowned warrior Jubei. This assault results in the village’s devastation. Upon returning to his ruined homeland, Jubei encounters an oni snake woman claiming to be his mother, who bestows upon him the ability to absorb souls and grow stronger by harnessing the power of vanquished demons.

The ensuing tale of vengeance takes Jubei to a town experiencing a gold rush. Here, he crosses paths with other legendary warriors such as Magoichi Saiga, armed with guns; Ekei Ankokuji, who wields spears; the chief ninja Kotaro Fuma; and the enigmatic western armor-clad Oyu. By forging friendships with these warriors, Jubei advances in his quest to vanquish Nobunaga.

In Onimusha 2’s remaster, I appreciate the improved control system. The original version used Resident Evil-style tank controls, where you turned by pressing right or left, moved forward with up, and backward with down, while weapons were readied using separate controls. However, in the updated version, you can now move freely in any direction using the left joystick, while the tank movement remains tied to the d-pad. Since Onimusha 2 is a fixed-camera game with static scenes, it occasionally struggled to keep the movement direction consistent on the stick. But having the option to switch back to tank controls whenever needed is beneficial in such situations.

In addition, there have been several improvements to the control system. Now, you can swiftly switch between your ranged and melee weapons using just a few button presses, eliminating the need to pause the game and manually change your equipment. This feature keeps the gameplay flowing seamlessly, without interruptions for gear adjustments based on the situation at hand. Moreover, an auto-save function has been implemented, and you can choose to bypass cutscenes from the outset. These minor tweaks, combined with a high-definition remaster, make Onimusha 2 Remastered quite enjoyable thus far.

In Onimusha 2, the fighting system remains as intense and engaging as ever. You can choose to attack enemies freely or focus on a single opponent and engage them directly. As your weapons level up, they acquire special abilities, enabling you to unleash powerful moves like multiple stabs or an uppercut followed by a stab with the ice spear. The combos and defensive maneuvers continue to be satisfying, and I recall there being a potent counterattack that, when strengthened, allows Jubei to charge through nearby enemies, annihilating them all at once. The timing is tricky but immensely rewarding; I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Before our encounter with Jujudormah, the third demonic boss in the game, we’ll have some time for gameplay. This involves navigating Onimusha 2’s unique exchange and bonding system. As you progress through the game, you amass items that can be given to the four key characters residing in town: Magoichi, Ekei, Kotaro, and Oyu. By earning their trust, they will aid you in battles, and special scenes with each character become accessible.

It’s clear that these changes affect the game’s plot and conclusions, but rest assured, most gifts and their ideal recipients remain unaltered. This means veterans and even newcomers can benefit from existing guides. The only modification is that some item names have been swapped out, but they usually retain connections to their original descriptions, so your old notes or memories should still be helpful. Just keep in mind that this update includes the return of gold farming for certain items; you’ll need to battle enemies at specific spots if you wish to influence character affections through endings.

Unleash the power of friendship and souls

There’s still much more from Onimusha 2 that I’m eager to experience. The twin-bladed wind weapon was my favorite, and I can hardly wait to engage in battles with some of my beloved later bosses, including the one whose mid-battle cutscene from the original is a legendary and humorous spectacle. So far, I’m quite content with the direction the remaster is taking, as it offers an improved playing experience while still providing opportunities for challenge through new difficulty levels. I’m looking forward to testing my mettle in the Hell Mode difficulty as we approach the official launch in May 2025. For now, Capcom appears to be on a strong path towards reviving this classic game.

As an eager fan, I’ve had the privilege of previewing an early PlayStation 5 version of Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny Remastered. This classic title is slated for release on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

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2025-04-23 01:57