After releasing a total of 8 mainline and spin-off games between 2001 and 2006, theOnimushafranchise would go on an extended hiatus throughout the late 2000s and most of the 2010s. The franchise remained legendary in the gaming sphere, however, as one of the earliest Samurai games to fuse those conflicts with supernatural elements. The franchise’s legacy can be seen and felt throughout that specific genre and plenty of others over the years. Now, it seems to be slowly but surely mounting a comeback, following the release of anOnimusha: Warlordsremaster in 2018 and a remaster ofOnimusha 2: Samurai’s Destinythis year. Topping it off isOnimusha: Way of the Sword, a brand-new entry in the franchisereleasing in 2026. Fans still have a little wait for that release, but the remaster ofOnimusha 2: Samurai’s Destinyis more than just an appetizer.
Game Rant was recently able to play the first couple hours ofOnimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny, up until the point of speaking with Jujudormah after receiving the Faith Orb. For the uninitiated, we played a little less than half the game but did have access to all the special perks retained in this remaster.
Onimusha 2 Takes a Minimalist Approach to the Maximum
When bootingOnimusha 2, a message reveals that the game is being presented with minimal changes to ensure that it remains authentic to the original experience. The high-definition graphics put in a lot of work, making sure it looks and feels just like the original release but with a lot more detail. Thanks to the updated controls, it also feels and plays just as good as it looks and exactly as expected. Swapping to more standard controls as opposed to the tank controls goes a long way in making this experience feel fresh, even while retaining that authenticity. If nothing else, thenOnimusha 2feels like the game its players will remember through nostalgia googles. It does retain a few minor cons, though. More than once, for example, thefixed camera anglesresulted in me accidentally going back and forth between locations a couple of times, but it was an easy enough adjustment and fix every time it occurred.
Outside the graphics and improved controls, it’s hard to say that there are any other changes to the core experience. The characters look better, but Oyu is still Oyu, Magoichi is still Magoichi, Kotaro is still Kotaro, and Ekei is still Ekei. I found that old gift guides still worked. The story branching, based on these gifts, still seemed to work as it did before. Indeed, thisOnimusha 2: Samurai’s Destinyremaster is a bonafide tributeto that original experience, but given that experience was good, a little modernization goes a long way for the core gameplay.
Combined with modern quality-of-life features like auto-save and easy weapon switching, it’s more than enough to justifyOnimusha 2as a remaster instead of a port. These minimal changes help the core experience without modernizing it to the point that it’s unfamiliar.Onimusha 2has a certain feel to it, and it’s one of those games that doesn’t feel like it really needs a huge overhaul to begin with. Adjusting the gift system, the characters, the combat, or even the fixed camera angle would drastically change this game, so the minimalist graphics/controls/QoL approach absolutely works here. The original experience was already great, and this remaster adopts the mantra of “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” All the while, it is hopefully bringing in more players as the possiblerevival of theOnimushafranchisecontinues.
Onimusha 2’s Special Features Are Worth a Revisit Alone
While the core experience retains that authentic experience, there are a few smart changes that will let players engage withOnimusha 2: Samurai’s Destinyin new ways. The first is Hell mode, which is exactly what it sounds like. It is a one-hit KO scenario, meaning players have to genuinely master the controls, keep up with enemy spawns, and always keep an eye out for a surprise encounter. It’s challenging and trying, and oftentimes, it feels impossible. Within that gameplay, however, is that familiar hardcore experience of conquering an impossible enemy (though this is not to suggest that it becomes aSoulslike gameby any means). This mode makes every enemy an impossible one, but for those who want to add challenge, Hell Mode is everything it needs to be.
All the available mini-games inOnimusha 2: Samurai’s Destinyare also available right from the get-go, meaning fans don’t have to beat the game to engage with those elements. This lets the nostalgia come flooding back right away instead of burying them in the post-credits. Fans who loved playing The Man in Black, Team Oni, or Puzzle Phantom Realm mini-games can dive right back into these while also making sure these are accessible for folks who have never played. It’s a simple thing, but it’s a win-win.
And, really, the biggest selling point ofOnimusha 2: Samurai’s Destinyis the Gallery mode. All fans should enjoy getting a glimpse into the game’s development, especially given the plethora ofsocial/character features as opposed toOnimusha: Warlords. The character quality, as well as how those characters interacted with the protagonist and story, is one of the biggest leaps fromOnimusha 1andOnimusha 2. This remaster pays homage to that selling point with its gallery featuring over 100 character sketches by character designer Keita Amemiya. That, alone, is a beautiful glimpse into the world ofOnimushaand a strong additional feature in this remaster.
In my eyes, this remaster ofOnimusha 2: Samurai’s Destinyneeds to accomplish two things: bring in new players to support a hopefully full-blownOnimusharevival and remind veterans of the strengths of the franchise (not that they should have really forgotten). Both of these things feel accomplished in my time with the game.Onimusha 2has always been one of the best gamesin the franchise, and this remaster honors that legacy.
Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destinyreleases on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One on May 23. Game Rant was provided a PS5 code for the purposes of this preview.
