Ranking the Onimusha Games from Worst to Best
What does Resident Evil have in common with demons and ninjas? If this were a completely different universe, they would make Sengoku Biohazard, a ninja-themed Resident Evil video game. Sengoku Biohazard never made it to the multiverse’s thread of space. Onimusha, however, was a direct result of the idea and spawned a series of games pitting skilled ninjas against hordes of demons.
Capcom’s beloved Onimusha series draws inspiration from Resident Evil but focuses on action and swordplay. Capcom has published six titles since Warlords was released in 2001. These include four core releases as well as two unique spin-offs.
It may seem natural to jump into Onimusha right away, but for players with a tight schedule, we have compiled this ranking of Onimusha games from worst to most. Even if you have only time for one or two entries, you can still research plot points you missed.
Onimusha Tactics
Capcom did what many developers do, porting the Onimusha series to a handheld device two years after its success with Onimusha 2: Warlords. At the time, the Game Boy Advance was the preferred device, but it couldn’t handle 3D environments like console games. Capcom decided to go the tactical route and created a game that looked and felt shockingly like Final Fantasy Tactics.
It wouldn’t be a problem if Onimusha Tactics had a stronger leg. Tactics were not as charming as its console predecessors. It was a boring game with a weak story and gameplay. Although characters could be personalized with new weapons or improved attributes, it isn’t a novel approach to the genre. You’d be better off just playing Final Fantasy Tactics Advance.
Onimusha Tactics doesn’t necessarily have a bad reputation. Even with the return of characters and a new storyline, it’s just forgettable.
Onimusha Blade Warriors
You may wonder, as you play through the Onimusha first two games, “Why didn’t Capcom make this a Super Smash Bros.-inspired brawler?”. It sounds silly, but that didn’t stop Capcom from pursuing it. Blade Warriors can be described as Smash Bros, except that it is stiff, repetitive and lacks personality.
Blade Warriors is a great game we would love to see on modern consoles. It promises thrilling action and frantic swordplay. It was a little too short in 2003 and had uninspired gameplay. It’s not fun to play alone after the first few rounds. However, multiplayer is more enjoyable when you have someone to chat with.
Blade Warriors was not engaging enough to last the long haul. However, adding an elemental attack that works somewhat like Smash Bros,’ Smash Attack changed the combat a little. It’s a shame that Blade Warriors couldn’t have been more entertaining if Capcom had spent more time creating smooth, fast-paced gameplay.
Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams
To keep their players interested, developers must bring something new to the table by the fourth instalment of a series. Capcom took a chance with Dawn of Dreams and created supporting characters that could help dispatch baddies. They also could be controlled to get to remote areas of the map when necessary. Although the supporting characters are not very useful, Dawn of Dreams has a co-op mode, which is the best way to play as you would expect.
Dawn of Dreams is a good series. It follows the series formula very closely. It’s just not anything special. Although Enemy AI is not very impressive and co-op is marred with obnoxious angles, it is still a solid entry to the Onimusha series. Its placement so low on the list is because the first three entries have overshadowed it.
Dawn of Dreams was a disappointing series that almost ended the series. Despite its low sales, it was a good way to see the series end. Capcom would have liked to revisit some concepts from the fourth entry and revive the series with a new release.
Onimusha: Warlords
It was the game that began it all. Onimusha was originally intended to be a Resident Evil game set in Japan. However, it ended up going in a completely different direction. It is a complete hack-and-slash adventure. Although the gameplay is stiff, it’s engaging, and players can unlock more powerful weaponry as they progress.
Onimusha was the beginning of a legacy that eventually led to the creation of Devil May Cry. Hideki Kamiya, the creator of Devil May Cry, said that a bug found in Onimusha’s coding sent enemies flying into the air. The inaugural game in the series is also the last Onimusha title, as Warlords got a full remake in 2019.
Even though it is old, Warlords is still worth playing. It does have the same cheesy dialogue as other Capcom titles in the early days, but that’s no reason to get too distracted by how the rest of Warlords holds up.
Onimusha 2 – Samurai’s Destiny
Capcom could have just taken Warlods’ formula and created a new story to tell it in Onimusha 2 Samurai’s Destiny. It instead borrowed elements and added a few new mechanics to make the experience more interesting.
Samurai’s Destiny looks slightly better than its predecessor, but it’s not the visuals that make it stand out. Samurai’s Destiny is different because of its RPG elements, such as building relationships with characters and taking on side-quests to control supporting heroes. Capcom’s patience-rewarding gameplay is back, giving players who prefer meticulous combat to button mashing an advantage in battle.
With the remaster of Warlords, it seems likely that Samurai’s Destiny would be next on the docket, though unfortunately, the remaster’s sales figures.
