Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny review – Just for fans

by

The popular Onimusha series has made a comeback! While we eagerly anticipate the release of Onimusha: Way of the Sword in 2026, featuring Miyamoto Musashi, it’s worth mentioning that an Onimusha anime series premiered on Netflix in 2023. Additionally, don’t forget about Onimusha VR: Shadow Team, which debuted at select Japanese Capcom arcades earlier this year. If you haven’t been keeping up, it’s possible you may not realize that Capcom’s iconic early ’00s action series has made a strong return after over 20 years, and you can reconnect with the series through Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny.

In simple terms, the revamped (and budget-friendly) version of the second installment in the main series, titled Samurai’s Destiny, chiefly revolves around Jubei Yagyu battling yokai creatures en route to conquer the forces of Oda Nobunaga. Originating 23 years ago, it’s essential to note that this game is an older title; although it generally follows the pattern of a familiar action hack-and-slash adventure, its combat mechanics may not be as polished or swift as contemporary games might offer. You won’t encounter tank controls, but mastering control over Jubei requires some practice, since he can sometimes feel rigid in movement.

In Jubei’s game, he can focus on enemies and dodge around them, yet the distinctive fixed camera angles sometimes make it challenging to observe crucial details like enemy attack movements or incoming attacks. When confronted by numerous opponents, Samurai’s Destiny seems difficult to handle due to its awkwardness, but if you systematically defeat each enemy before they can reappear in greater numbers, the gameplay becomes more manageable and clearer.

As Jubei ventures through his journey, he discovers fresh arsenals that can be enhanced with souls, granting him diverse combat techniques and magical spells. Initially, some adversaries may appear challenging, but selecting the appropriate weapon and strategic elemental attack can swiftly resolve encounters. By gathering enough souls and energies from vanquished opponents, you’ll empower Jubei to metamorphose into his Oni form, enabling him to inflict immense damage on bosses.

If you haven’t played the action games from the PS2 era and find yourself in the same boat as me, Onimusha will evoke memories of Resident Evil with its accumulation of key items and intricate puzzles that need solving. However, unlike Resident Evil, there’s a persistent danger lurking, so you won’t have much time to catch your breath or gather your thoughts. Instead, you’ll often find yourself moving swiftly through familiar areas, tackling puzzles and uncovering new paths.

In the same vein as earlier Resident Evil games, Samurai’s Destiny has increased the size of its pre-rendered backgrounds to suit contemporary screens. The boost in resolution is certainly welcome, but it can be noticeably awkward when a 3D model overlaps or stands behind a 2D texture. Although these minor incongruities might go unnoticed if you’re revisiting an old favorite, they are more pronounced for first-time players.

In the early 2000s, Onimusha’s charm was undeniably appealing. With its Resident Evil-inspired action gameplay, it was a concept that looked promising on paper. Indeed, Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny has earned cult status for good reason. As a significant piece of video game history, it’s thrilling to see it playable on contemporary platforms. However, jumping into this classic in 2025 may feel quite out of step with modern gaming standards.

As a fellow enthusiast, if you’re yearning for a deeper dive into the captivating world of Onimusha before the release of Way of the Sword, I’d highly recommend giving Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny a try. However, do be aware that its action experience might feel slightly outdated in today’s gaming landscape of 2025.

Read More

2025-05-21 01:16