In recent years, sword-fighting games have become a major trend, with excellent titles emerging both in Japan and overseas. In this context, the revival of the "Onimusha" series, a pioneer in the genre, seems natural. However, I didn't expect that after Takehiro Koyanagi and Yusaku Matsuda, CAPCOMwould choose the late legendary action actor"Toshiro Mifune",to play the game's protagonist"Miyamoto Musashi."
Therefore, I applied to participate in the "Onimusha Way of the Sword" demo event, andI successfully played the test version during the offline demo event in late July.My most immediate impression was the abundance of interactive environmental mechanics, encouraging me to use strategy and thinking to overcome enemies. To a large extent, this distinguishes the game from other sword-fighting competitors, offering a unique experience beyond CAPCOM's top-tier action presentation. This also aligns with the legendary Miyamoto Musashi—as the author of "The Book of Five Rings," Musashi's strength lay not only in his swordsmanship but also in his high combat intelligence.
Realizing this, I asked CAPCOMWhy did you choose"Toshiro Mifune" to play the game's protagonist, and found my own answer. This two-time Venice Film Festival Best Actor winner excels at portraying characters who are rough on the outside but sensitive within. His proud and passionate demeanor imbues this version of Miyamoto Musashi with a chivalrous yet tender personality.
With these impressions, I interviewed the directors of "Onimusha Way of the Sword" Game Director Ken Nihei and Producer Akito Kadowaki. As for why Toshiro Mifune was chosen as the actor, and how the unique appeal of the "Onimusha" series is being explored in the modern era? The two creators will personally answer these questions for players below. Here are the details of the Q&A:
Left: Ken Nihei; Right: Akito Kadowaki
Q: It remains uncertain whether Toshiro Mifune has enough appeal among newer generations of players. What were the considerations behind choosing Toshiro Mifuneas the protagonistbased on what considerations?
A:At CAPCOMThis time, in creating a new protagonistWhen creating "Miyamoto Musashi," we aimed to craft a version of him that leaves a powerful impression. As we considered how to portray a realistic, gritty warrior engaged in brutal combat, we believed that choosing an actor who had played countless such rolesand enjoys international renownlegendary samurai star—Mr. Toshiro Mifune to serve as the face model significantly enhances the flavor and texture of this samurai character.
Q: Miyamoto Musashi is a famous historical figure depicted in many works and well-known to players in China. So,CAPCOMWhat version of Miyamoto Musashi did you aim to create? What impression do you hope this version leaves on players?
A:We depict Miyamoto Musashi in his youth. Therefore, he is a rough, unpolished character who aspires to master the Way of the Sword and become unparalleled under heaven. He desires strength more than others, even using his surroundings to secure victory. Although he appears rough around the edges, he is sensitive and empathetic, making him a character who is hard to dislike and whom players will gradually grow to love and root for.
Although "SengokuBASARA" and previous "Onimusha" titles have featured many depictions of Miyamoto Musashi, this game aims to portray him as a completely new character. By using Mr. Mifune's likeness, we are confident in creating the best protagonist in the series' history.
Q: Miyamoto Musashi was a tactical master. During the demo, I noticed many mechanics that encourage strategic thinking, especially regarding enemies with diverse abilities.—So I wanted to know, how does "Onimusha Way of the Sword" design its enemies?
A:In this title,Although the "Genma" are based on yokai like Shuten-doji and Nue, or legendary creatures, we did not simply copy traditional Japanese attire or features. Instead, we adopted bold design concepts. This includes descriptions such as "what people at the time thought were yokai were actually Genma." For example, "Hyakue" is an enemy covered in talismans bearing the character for "seal." As it becomes stained with blood, the characters on the talismans change, releasing and strengthening the seal's power—we gave it this unique mechanic.
Q: The POV perspective in this title differs from previous "Onimusha" or "Devil May Cry" games, yet it is closer to the character than the "Monster Hunter" series. This bringsstrong immersion, but during the fight withbody sizehuge During the boss fight against "Hyakue," due to the limited arena space, there were instances of the camera getting stuck in corners. Regarding "Onimusha Way of the Sword, how did the development team handle camera movement? How do they allow players to clearly see enemy attacks while maintaining a strong sense of immersion?
A:To balance high immersion with accessibility for action games, we zoomed the camera in during non-combat states and pulled it back during combat to facilitate fighting, making very precise adjustments.
Q: In "New Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams" (2006), the window for executing Issen was quite generous, but in "Onimusha Way of the Sword", Issen has returned to its old-school"Onimusha"strict timing window—Why was the difficulty of executing Issen increased?
A:In this title, we have preparedWe have prepared two difficulty modes: "Kenki" (Swordplay) and "Kageki" (Drama). In "Kenki" mode, we want players to experience tense combat, so the timing for "Issen" may feel quite strict. On the other hand, "Kageki" mode is designed for players who are not as skilled at action games, allowing them to enjoy the game as well. Therefore,Not only"Issen," including precision-based moves like parries (Ukenagashi) and deflections (Hajiki), are easier to trigger in "Kageki" mode than in "Kenki" mode.
Q: In "Onimusha Way of the Sword", parrying (Ukenagashi) seems effective against most enemies. But in"Onimusha" series, the game encourages players to use high-risk moves to defeat enemies, such as"Issen" yields more souls—I wonder if the new title has similar designs that encourage players to use more varied methods to deal with enemies?
A:The mechanics governing successful Issen largely inherit from previous entries in the series. Therefore,Defeating enemies releases more souls than using normal attacks, and absorbing a large amount of souls at once grants a multiplier bonus. Additionally, usingThe same applies when defeating enemies with "Kuzushi Issen". Therefore, we strongly encourage players to try breaking enemy stances using parries or guards.
Q: The "Kyoto Chapter" in this title features an open box-garden area, allowing players to interact with someNPCinteraction. So, compared to the more linear progression of past"Onimusha" series, does this mean that "Onimusha Way of the Sword" encourage deeper map exploration? If so, what design choices were made for the maps?
A:While this title primarily consists of linear stages like the Kiyomizu-dera level, we also designed wide-linear (open box garden) areas centered around Kyoto's"Rokudo Chinnou-ji" temple. This wide-linear area not only featuresonlyexclusivebosses, we have also prepared rich side quests. Completing side questsnot only yields generous rewards but also allows players to experience various chilling local legends and stories from Kyoto. Of course, these side quests can be skipped to continue with the main story.
Q: What does the development team consider the core appeal of the "Onimusha" series? What elements have been inherited or革新 (innovated) to ensure new players can experience the classicIPappeal?
A:We believe thatThe core appeal lies in the sword-fighting action experience set within a Japanese-style dark fantasy world, as well as the strategic interplay during soul absorption. This title focuses on"clashing blades" as its theme, featuring a rich array of sword-fighting actions including parries. Depending on the enemyDepending on the battle situation, players can witness a variety of techniques and animations.
Q: In recent years, sword-fighting games have become a major trend, with excellent titles emerging both in Japan and overseas. What do you believe is the core charm that allows "sword-fighting action" to stand out among various action game genres? How does "Onimusha Way of the Sword" interpret this unique appeal?
A:We believe thatThe core appeal of chanbara action lies in"the clash between swords." IfCAPCOMtakes on the project, it bearsthe mission that "action elements must be sufficiently fun"—therefore, we pursue the satisfying experience of the "sense of slashing" that has defined the series. Our goal is for players to immediately, upon picking up the game,you can feel"thrilling chanbara clashes."
In terms of detailed polishing, we implemented a technique called"Free Cut" presentation. Depending on the cutting direction, the severed surfaces appear very clean, and enemies react in a style reminiscent of period dramas while, having their precise cut points displayed. Additionally, the wild, rugged, and down-to-earth image of Mr. Toshiro Mifune, along with samurai battles accompanied by dialogue exchanges, are distinctive features of this title. In a market where many other companies have already released chanbara action games, we remain deeply committed to showcasing CAPCOM'sdistinctive character design, the balance between soul absorption and action, and with BOSS Directly experience the thrill of "clashing swords."
Q: Finally, does the development team have any message for ChineseCAPCOMfans?
A:Since fans have been waiting a long time for the new title, we fully recognize their high expectations. During development, we aimed to create the "Onimusha" our team envisioned, while also ensuring recognition from long-time series fans"This is'Onimusha'" as we continue our efforts. For players new to "Onimusha," beyond the appeal of chanbara action itself, we also strive to make the story and characters engaging, so please look forward to it!