Onimusha: Way of the Sword marks the return of a Capcom franchise dormant since 2006. Alongside the highly anticipated The Blood of Dawnwalker, it's a top-tier gaming week for fans of made-in-Japan titles.

Japanese Gaming Week: Onimusha Rises Again, Blood of Dawnwalker Arrives

Onimusha: Way of the Sword - The Return We No Longer Hoped For

We remember. The PS2 era, the silhouette of Samanosuke Akechi absorbing the souls of the Genma in the bluish crackle of the Oni-Gauntlet. Onimusha was one of Capcom’s flagship franchises at the turn of the 2000s—samurai action-adventure, dark Sengoku atmosphere, precise combat, and an addictive upgrade system. And then: silence. Dawn of Dreams in 2006, and nothing for twenty years.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword changes that. New protagonist, new historical setting, but the franchise’s core mechanics remain intact. Early impressions highlight a modernized combat system without betraying the series’ identity. Capcom proves once again—after Resident Evil and Devil May Cry—its ability to resurrect dormant licenses with intelligence.

8/10 - For fans of the PS2 era and lovers of Japanese action set in historical contexts. A return that honors the past without merely replaying it.

The Blood of Dawnwalker - The Clock That Changes Everything

Rebel Wolves (former CD Projekt Red developers) deliver with The Blood of Dawnwalker something rare in open-world RPGs: a narrative clock system where every action consumes time in a world that evolves without you. There’s no way to do everything—the game forces you to choose.

It’s a gamble the studio pulls off: the pacing is there, choices carry weight, and the dark fantasy universe of Central Europe holds together. A serious alternative to endless open-world RPGs.

7.5/10 - For those tired of open worlds with no end. An RPG that dares to impose limits—and it’s refreshing.

Orbitals - The Underrated Gem Worth Your Attention

Less visible than the two giants of the week, Orbitals offers a puzzle-action gameplay centered on gravity and orbits. Strong returns for fans of the genre, perfect for short sessions.

7/10 - An elegant puzzle game with a well-executed core mechanic.

Signal of the Week

Onimusha’s return confirms Capcom’s strategy: reviving niche Japanese action franchises after the successes of RE and DMC. Its commercial performance in the coming weeks will reveal whether the market still has an appetite for these Sengoku-era licenses from the 2000s. We’re watching.