Onimusha finally getting the remaster treatment

Onimusha: Warlords and the franchise that followed it is one of the more under-rated series in video game history, IMHO. Good news for fans like myself has come to the front today with Capcom revealing that they will be releasing a remaster of the original in just a few months.

Onimusha combined action combat with a very horror-esque feel, with fixed cameras reminiscent of Resident Evil. Set in feudal Japan. you play the role of Samurai Samanosuke Akechi who must save the princess (that old chestnut) from a bunch of evil demons. Check out the reveal trailer below.

The remaster is set to feature enhanced visuals, with updates being made to the game’s background graphics, character models, and cut scenes. There will also be analog stick support, 4:3 and 16:9 display options, and perhaps most interestingly a new soundtrack alongside newly recorded Japanese voice acting.

Onimusha spawned several games in the franchise since its initial release in 2001, the fourth mainline game and last of which back in 2006 with Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams on PS2. A fun mix of action combat and jump scares as you face off against creepy demons, it’s almost shocking that there has been no effort to bring the franchise into the modern generation until now.

Critically speaking the games were of a good standard, and they’ve maintained a cult following. Perhaps this is Capcom’s way of testing the waters to see if the other games warrant a remaster – or even better, a modern-day sequel or complete reworking of the game a la Resident Evil 2?

Either way, as a fan of the series growing up, I am eager to jump back in and play it all over again, and am stoked that others who missed it the first time around will have the opportunity. It’s priced as just $20USD, meaning it won’t be a full price title over here either, which is good news.

The remaster of Onimusha: Warlords will be releasing on Xbox One, PS4, PC and Switch on January 15th, 2019.