Onimusha: Way of the Sword director was inspired by Super Mario Odyssey

An Unexpected Source of Inspiration for a Samurai Action Game

The action game Onimusha: Way of the Sword—the first completely new game in Capcom's iconic samurai series in 20 years—is already available on the Switch 2 console. The project offers fierce sword battles and the exploration of mystical Edo-period Kyoto. However, in addition to classic franchise entries and Japanese cinema, the developers drew inspiration from a very unexpected game.

Responsive Control Lessons from Nintendo

In an interview with FZ, Onimusha: Way of the Sword director Satoru Nihei shared that the hit platformer Super Mario Odyssey became an important benchmark for the team during the development of combat and movement mechanics:

• Accessibility and depth: According to Nihei, Odyssey features a low barrier to entry while simultaneously containing numerous dynamic and complex elements, which is a signature Nintendo hallmark.
• Tactile feedback: In Super Mario Odyssey, every action has a tangible responsive feel. It was this precise sense of control over the character that the developers sought to recreate when crafting the Onimusha combat system.

Thanks to this approach, sword fighting in the new Onimusha installment gained an exceptional level of control and smoothness.