Think Capcom, and the first things that come to mind are Street Fighter, Monster Hunter, and of course, Resident Evil. Maybe you’re one of the Dino Crisis lot. But, odds are, very few would say Onimusha. That may all change with the news that Onimusha: Way of the Sword is on its way early next year. Capcom has been laying the foundations by giving the series a little update: first Onimusha: Warlords got the treatment, and now Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny has joined it.
Read More: Dynasty Warriors: Origins review – Old-Fashioned Romance
Chances are, some of you have never heard of the Onimusha series. It’s been over ten years since the last main new instalment of what was once a staple franchise on the PS2. In fact, Warlords, the first game, is now 18 years old.
History Time
So, a brief history seems appropriate. The series started life as a sort of historical prequel to Resident Evil before branching off into its own thing. You play as a samurai named Samanosuke, who is out to save his village as well as a princess from a horde of demons. This premise spawned about nine games over a 25-year span.
Right off the bat, if you’re expecting a remake or full remaster from the ground up, I’m afraid this isn’t it. Similar to the Warlords remaster, Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny‘s remaster is a very conservative affair. While it delivers a solid experience, in many ways it also feels dated.
Remaster Restores
On the remaster front, most of the improvements are visual: HD resolution and support for a 16:9 aspect ratio. However, it’s not been well-calibrated, with 4:3 still being the best way to play.
The controls have been modernised to make things more accessible, though hardcore fans can still use the original tank controls if they prefer.
Read More: Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection Arcade Classics review – Bundle of Love
Gameplay-wise, two new difficulty settings have been added to Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny. One at each end of the spectrum. There’s now an Easy Mode and a Hell Mode, the latter being a one-hit-death setting for those seeking a real challenge.
And that’s about it for core changes, aside from a few small tweaks, like all mini-games being unlocked from the start, and the addition of a gallery where you can view the new high-res models. Beyond that, it’s very much the same PS2 game from 2002—though it does run buttery smooth.
Issues Remain
Taking a step back, I’ll be honest: the handling of the series so far feels like a bit of a kick in the teeth for fans, especially when you compare it to the love and care that Resident Evil gets on the remake front.
Oddly enough, because this is such a light remaster, many of the original game’s issues remain. The biggest offender? The fixed camera. Sure, it helps set the scene sometimes, but the moment you start moving, it chops and changes so unpredictably that you often don’t know if you’re coming or going.
Read More: Street Fighter 6 review – Mortal Fun
To make matters worse, you’ll frequently get hit by off-screen enemies using ranged attacks, and the more aggressive combat moments feel clunky—often thanks to the camera just getting in the way.
The game can also be too linear and at times feels oddly devoid of action, which may be a limitation of the original PS2 hardware. Again, all of this links back to the ‘light’ nature of the remaster. If the source was a 10/10 to begin with, that might be fine. But, when it’s a 7/10 from 20 years ago, some real TLC is needed to make it shine today.
Read More: Resident Evil 4 Remake – GOAT Ornamented
I know I’ve been fairly negative so far, but as a fan, I’d hoped for more. That’s not to say there isn’t fun to be had. The combat is hard-hitting and a blast as you cut down demons with a healthy arsenal. You’ll also face off against more than a few challenging enemies and bosses.
When not drawing blood with your blade, the world, quiet as it may sometimes be, is hellishly pretty to explore. The puzzles you encounter along the way hit the right level of challenge, clearly inspired by Resident Evil.
Double-Edged Sword
Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny is an odd title. A remaster that was needed? Yes. A remaster that needed more remastering? Also yes. It’s a classic title, no doubt—but it’s stuck between 2025 and 2002. Not quite enough of the past to be pure nostalgia, and not enough of the present to feel fresh.
Long-time fans will get the most out of it, as they’ll know what to expect. Newcomers, however, may struggle to get past its frustrations. I just hope that if Onimusha 3: Demon Siege gets the same treatment, it receives a little more love and refinement, if not for us fans, then at least for the legend, Jean Reno.
- Resident Evil Requiem review – Reframing Evil
- Snakebyte Gamepad RGB S2 review – Budget Flash
- High on Life 2 review – Smoother, Tighter and More Confident
Find TechStomper’s games reviews on OpenCritic.com