The short answer
Onimusha: Way of the Sword launched to strong critical acclaim — OpenCritic shows an 86 average with 92% of critics recommending, and Metacritic sits at 85 at launch. IGN awarded a rare 10/10, calling it a remarkable video game whose perfectly-timed Issen counters, Reflex Dodges and boss duels reward mastery; multiple outlets call it a 2026 action game-of-the-year contender and the best Onimusha ever. The consensus criticism is the frame around the combat — several 8/10-and-below reviews flag an undercooked semi-open world, repetitive mission objectives, frequent miniboss reuse and rough pacing. Count on roughly 20–39 hours depending on side-content appetite, plus New Game Plus and an unlockable Carnage difficulty.
- OpenCritic
- 86 average
- 92% of critics recommend
- Metacritic
- 85 at launch
- Rolling as reviews land
- Top score
- IGN 10/10
- Rare perfect score
- Platform range
- 82–89 across platforms
- NS2 89, PS5 85, XSX 83, PC 82
- Campaign length
- ~20–39 hours
- Depends on side content
- Replay features
- NG+ · Carnage difficulty
- Unlockable after first clear
The numbers
Aggregate scores at launch
The critical consensus landed strong on day one. OpenCritic aggregated an 86 average with 92% of critics recommending the game, and Metacritic sat at 85 — both figures shift as more reviews publish, so the reviews page is the live reference.
The high marks cluster on the combat and the low marks on structure, which makes the averages a genuine signal: this is a game critics love to play and occasionally struggle to pace.
| Aggregator | Score | Details |
|---|---|---|
| OpenCritic | 86 average | 92% of critics recommend |
| Metacritic | 85 / 100 | Launch-window reading; rolling |
Representative scores
From perfect scores to the 7s
Launch-week reviews spanned the full range. The top tier is emphatic: IGN 10/10, VICE 9.8, and a cluster of 9s and perfect scores from MonsterVine, Region Free, HeyPoorPlayer, Push Square, Forbes and TheGamer. The middle is respectful but critical, and the lowest reviews are still clear that the combat carries the game.
| Outlet | Score | One-line verdict |
|---|---|---|
| IGN | 10/10 | A remarkable video game; the best-feeling swordplay in years |
| VICE | 9.8/10 | 2026 game-of-the-year contender |
| Push Square | 9/10 | Among the PS5's best boss fights |
| Forbes | 9/10 | Best in the series — above Warlords |
| GameSpot | 8/10 | Semi-open world is the flaw; combat is elite |
| Eurogamer | 4/5 | The rare game that dares to say no to Souls-likes |
| Dualshockers | 8/10 | Capcom's best bosses; filler between them |
| VGC | 3/5 | Worth playing for the combat alone |
The consensus praise
Why the reviews are so high: the combat
The universal praise is the swordplay. IGN's full review details the system: the Issen perfect-timed counter is the defensive holy grail — miss it and you are wide open, land it and you can chain, deflect projectiles and even counter lightning — while Deflect drains enemy stamina, Parry feeds the Blazing Gauge, and Reflex Dodges open Reflex Combos.
The character work drew nearly equal praise. IGN calls the game more character-driven than plot-driven — this cast sings — and singles out the facial animation as the best seen in a game. The Toshiro Mifune-modeled Musashi and the Japanese voice cast are repeatedly recommended.
The common complaints
The frame around the combat: world, pacing, length
Reviews that scored 8/10 or below consistently name the same issues. The semi-open world is called undercooked — justification for its size that never quite lands. Mission objectives lean repetitive, minibosses are reused noticeably, and there is no true endgame mode.
Length opinions diverge sharply: COGconnected reported roughly 20 hours while IGN's full-clear run took about 39 hours including all side content. Both numbers are real — the campaign's appetite for side content decides where you land.
- Semi-open world: visually strong, mechanically underused per several reviews.
- Repetition: mission objectives and miniboss encounters repeat late in the game.
- Pacing: the finale overstays for some outlets (Carole Quintaine, VGC).
- Length: ~20 hours (main focus) to ~39 hours (full clear with side content).
Planning your run
Difficulty, length and replay value
The campaign runs roughly 20 to 39 hours depending on how much side content you chase. Beyond the first clear, the game offers New Game Plus and an unlockable higher difficulty named Carnage, which PowerPyx and others recommend for returning players who mastered the Issen timing on the standard difficulties.
For newcomers, reviewers consistently recommend the Story difficulty with attack prompts enabled, or the Japanese voice track — the two settings most cited as improving the first experience.
Direct answers
Frequently asked questions
What score did Onimusha: Way of the Sword get?
OpenCritic shows an 86 average with 92% of critics recommending, and Metacritic sat at 85 at launch. IGN awarded a rare 10/10.
Is Onimusha: Way of the Sword worth buying?
Reviews say yes for the combat — called among the best swordplay in years — with the caveat that the semi-open world and mission pacing drew the only consistent criticism.
How long is Onimusha: Way of the Sword?
Roughly 20–39 hours depending on side content. A focused run lands near 20 hours; full-clearing with all side missions took IGN's reviewer about 39 hours.
What are the common criticisms of the game?
The semi-open world feels underused, mission objectives and minibosses repeat, and some reviewers found the pacing and finale overlong. The combat itself drew near-universal praise.
What is the best way to play according to reviewers?
Story difficulty with attack prompts for newcomers, and the Japanese voice track with the original cast — both repeatedly recommended in launch reviews.
Is there new game plus or extra difficulty?
Yes. New Game Plus is available after the first clear, along with an unlockable higher difficulty called Carnage.
Where this comes from
Sources
- IGN — Onimusha: Way of the Sword Review
The 10/10 full review: combat systems, cast, length and the no-item verdict.
- Reddit r/gaming — Review thread
Launch-week aggregate snapshot and 20+ outlet score excerpts.
- OpenCritic — Onimusha: Way of the Sword
Live aggregate: 86 average, 92% recommend.
- Metacritic — Onimusha: Way of the Sword
Live Metascore across platforms.
- YouTube — Before You Buy (gameranx)
Buying-decision framing: port quality and non-open-world structure.