Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny Review

Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny revives the beloved classic with enhanced performance, bringing its original experience to modern audiences. The story follows Jubei Yagyu, the young leader of Yagyu Village, which was devastated by Demon Lord Nobunaga’s ruthless assault. Determined to end Nobunaga’s reign, Jubei embarks on a journey to gather the sacred orbs and defeat him.

Two decades after its initial release, does this remastered edition uphold the legacy of Onimusha 2? Join us as we revisit Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny!

Destiny Fulfilled

Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny remains faithful to its original release, preserving the experience that players enjoyed two decades ago. From its core gameplay mechanics to its narrative, no alterations have been made, staying true to its promise of authenticity. Even quirks that have been refined in the evolution of action games remain untouched, offering a faithful representation of the classic title.

For longtime fans, Onimusha 2 feels like an unearthed time capsule, rekindling nostalgia from the PlayStation 2 era and evoking memories of early action games. The series is a distinct blend of survival horror elements—akin to Resident Evil—with the fast-paced Samurai combat seen in Way of the Samurai.

Before challenging games like Sekiro and Rise of the Ronin tested players with unforgiving combat, Onimusha pioneered a similar difficulty level within the survival horror genre. Limited healing items encouraged players to master their skills, while the soul collection mechanic served as early foreshadowing of future progression systems in gaming.

In the early 2000s, action titles rarely demanded such precision, and players expected to cut down hordes of enemies without much resistance, but today’s audiences will find its difficulty more in line with modern action standards.

Key gameplay mechanics in Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny have been meticulously preserved, including the timing-based parries, lightning-fast strikes, and the Oni mode, which grants heightened damage and invulnerability as long as the spirit bar remains intact. The remaster also optimizes performance, which is one thing players expect in modern titles. Meanwhile, the updated visuals maintain a retro aesthetic, enhancing the experience while retaining the original atmosphere.

A standard playthrough of Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny lasts around 7-8 hours, with subsequent runs offering a shorter completion time. Unlocking alternate story paths adds replay value, making Onimusha 2 a compelling experience to revisit.

New Era, Old Problems

While Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny stays true to its original release, certain elements feel outdated in its modern iteration. By far, the biggest issue among these is the English dub, which unintentionally transforms the game into a comedy, undermining its intended tone.

The original Onimusha, released during the early PlayStation 2 era, featured a Japanese voice track with English subtitles—a feature notably absent in Onimusha 2’s initial launch. Unfortunately, this oversight persists in the remaster despite being a seemingly simple addition. Adding to the frustration, while the in-game text can be switched to Japanese, the voiceovers remain locked to the English dub. Players are left with this version unless a future patch introduces the original Japanese voice track.

On a brighter note, several unlockable features from the original game are now accessible from the start. Players can immediately equip quirky special costumes, embracing the unintended comedic aspects of the dub. Additionally, mini-games and alternate difficulty settings are readily available.

Those seeking a straightforward experience can jump into Easy mode, while seasoned players can challenge themselves with Hell mode, where taking damage is not an option. These elements enhance replayability without requiring players to unlock everything manually.

Other minor issues also persist. The CGI cutscenes, directly ported from the original version, lack the refinements typically seen in remastered titles, creating a visual inconsistency between gameplay and cinematics. Additionally, the fixed camera angles—a staple of classic survival horror—may present an adjustment challenge for players unfamiliar with this old-school design choice.

Verdict: Buy It!

Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny faithfully preserves the original experience, offering a time capsule that brings players back to the early 2000s. With enhanced performance and refined visuals, new players will find it more accessible, while longtime fans can enjoy its authentic gameplay. Additionally, special features are readily available, making it an even more compelling package.

While certain design elements may feel dated, the overall experience remains engaging and enjoyable. With an affordable price point and a wealth of added content, it stands as an easy Day 1 purchase for series enthusiasts.

*Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny was reviewed on a PS5 with a review code provided by the publisher.