Why Onimusha Vanished for 20 Years and How Way of the Sword Marks Its Comeback

TIG SEA8 hours ago

44 2 minutes read

The Onimusha franchise is one of Capcom’s most iconic action-adventure series, but after the release of Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams in 2006, the series seemed to vanish. Fans waited for nearly two decades without a new mainline entry. In 2023, the announcement of Onimusha: Way of the Sword reignited excitement. The natural question that followed was: why did Onimusha disappear for 20 years? The answer, according to the developers, is tied directly to Capcom’s resource management and focus on other blockbuster franchises.

Capcom producer Akihito Kadowaki revealed in an interview that the desire to make a new Onimusha game had always been there, but the company lacked the development resources to bring it to life. During the years following 2006, Capcom poured enormous staff, funding, and development time into series like Devil May Cry 5, three different Monster Hunter titles, Dragon’s Dogma 2, and several new and remake versions of Resident Evil. These projects left no room for Onimusha, despite strong fan demand.

Things began to change around 2020. A dedicated group of developers formed what would eventually become the Onimusha: Way of the Sword team. By then, Capcom’s RE Engine had evolved into a powerful, fully featured development tool capable of supporting the vision of a modern Onimusha. This combination of the right technology and a committed team finally brought the franchise back to life.

The development team for Onimusha: Way of the Sword consists of about 170 people, reflecting Capcom’s renewed investment in the series. While fans have expressed interest in a remake of Onimusha 3: Demon Siege following the success of Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny Remaster, the developers clarified that all resources are being directed toward the new game. Their goal is to ensure that Way of the Sword delivers a polished and unforgettable experience for both longtime fans and new players.

It’s important to note that the nearly 20-year gap was not because Capcom forgot about Onimusha, but because the studio prioritized franchises with global sales dominance, such as Monster Hunter and Resident Evil. Now, with the right staff and technology in place, Capcom is finally ready to bring Onimusha back to modern gaming.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword is scheduled for release in 2026 on PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. This return has the potential to bring the franchise back to the legendary status it enjoyed during the PlayStation 2 era. If Capcom delivers on gameplay, story, and atmosphere, this could mark a true rebirth of one of its most beloved series.

The long wait highlights the challenges of modern game development and resource allocation, but it also proves that classics can return if the conditions are right. For fans who never gave up hope, the revival of Onimusha shows that patience sometimes pays off.