By One kiss is all it requires
Version Assessed: PS5 (Backwards Compatibility) / European
- review by Liam Croft
As Capcom prepares Way of the Sword for next year, there has never been a more opportune moment to dive into Onimusha. To facilitate the move from novice to enthusiast, the Japanese publisher has reintroduced what many view as the franchise’s current pinnacle: Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny.
Similar to what was done six years back with Onimusha Warlords, Capcom has delivered a PS4 remaster in what is arguably the most straightforward manner possible. This is fundamentally the original PS2 experience you recall, albeit with HD graphics, a somewhat more contemporary control scheme, and a sprinkling of extras such as a gallery, hell mode difficulty setting, and auto-save functionality.
This remaster focuses more on making the title playable on current hardware rather than significantly enhancing it for PS5, thus it retains all the same challenges as other early PS2 titles. This encompasses a rather frustrating camera that can easily disorient you as you shift from one camera perspective to another, peculiar controls (despite the updates), and basic combat mechanics.
The voice acting is also humorously subpar, yet it contributes to the charm of a game that remains worthy of playing. Featuring a new protagonist in Jubei, the sequel keeps what was excellent about the original and builds on it with an item gifting system that unlocks additional cutscenes and characters based on whom you interact with. This renders the approximately ten-hour campaign worth replaying, and the new characters you briefly control introduce some delightful variety to the gameplay experience.
By faithfully recreating the PS2 original with minimal modern enhancements, this offers a way to experience Onimusha 2 as you believe you remember it looking and functioning, rather than how it actually stood in 2002. Returning enthusiasts will enjoy the special gallery, the integrated soundtrack player, and quality-of-life improvements that make minigames and costumes accessible from the outset.
Despite the baggage of its PS2 beginnings, Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny is a delightful journey down memory lane.
Liam grew up with a PlayStation controller in his grasp and a passion for Metal Gear Solid. Nowadays, he enjoys playing the latest and greatest PS5 titles while also cheering for Derby County. That last detail is his undoing.