Compare The Outer Worlds 2 vs Onimusha: Way of the Sword

Major missions and tentpole scenarios were praised for puzzle-box structure, role-play opportunities, and varied routes.

The bespoke story missions work well, but generic Encounter-style objectives and busywork are repeatedly called filler.

Open-zone design drew mixed reactions, with compact areas praised but barren spaces and shallow depth criticized.

The central Kyoto hub is the most consistent structural complaint. Reviewers often see its fetch quests, repeated streets, and resource chores as padding between much stronger linear levels and boss encounters.

Interface design was split between a UI that stayed out of the way and a cluttered UI complaint.

The UI is praised for being restrained, clear, and largely out of the player’s way.

Quest design was split: several reviewers loved the branching checks and side content, while others saw busywork or inconsequential side quests.

The side content is uneven: Lady Murasaki’s Mysteries and character-focused quests receive real praise, while generic fetch, kill, and resource jobs are frequently dismissed as filler.

Navigation drew criticism for unclear markers, map cursor issues, and unintuitive routes.

Eastern Kyoto can feel maze-like, and map controls or blocked routes sometimes make simple travel more awkward than it should be.

Sound design and radio presentation were praised for adding flavor and helping scenes land.

Sharp sword clashes, parry impacts, executions, and other combat sounds give the fighting strong physical feedback and make successful timing feel satisfying.

Puzzle support was praised where gadgets expanded both combat and puzzle-solving options.

Puzzles are a light part of the experience, but the secrets and environmental challenges that do appear can be enjoyable diversions from combat.

Dense openings and dungeon spaces earned strong praise, with reviewers singling out alternate routes and thoughtful layouts.

The handcrafted linear stages are generally the strongest spaces, with memorable temples, castles, laboratories, and supernatural areas. The hub and a few repetitive routes are less consistently praised.

World-building was a major strength, with reviewers praising factions, moral dilemmas, environmental context, and a lived-in universe.

Real mythology, Edo-period details, optional legends, and character stories give Kyoto a rich backdrop that many reviewers found unusually rewarding to dig into.

Skill depth was praised for meaningful specialization, tough choices, and builds that affected both dialogue and combat.

One critical review argues that some late skill upgrades feel more like delayed quality-of-life fixes than genuinely meaningful progression choices.

Endgame content drew criticism when the level cap arrived before some arcs or final hours, reducing reward momentum.

Post-game play includes harder Carnage difficulty and New Game Plus-style replay, giving mastery-focused players a reason to continue after the credits.

Stealth was often viable and rewarding, especially with builds and gadgets, but some reviewers found it imbalanced or merely serviceable.

Stealth exists, but the reviewer who evaluated it found direct sword combat far more rewarding.

Bug frequency was mixed, with several reviewers noting annoying or persistent bugs and others saying issues were minor.

The reviewers who discussed technical reliability reported playthroughs without notable bugs, glitches, or crashes.

Immersion was limited in one review where the ship never felt like home.

Detailed environments, expressive characters, fluid presentation, and the historical-fantasy setting create strong immersion for many reviewers. Repetitive Kyoto layouts and repeated activities can break that spell for some.

Emotional impact was limited in mixed reviews, with satire and tone sometimes keeping decisions from landing deeply.

Despite the action-heavy premise, reviewers frequently found the character relationships, personal arcs, and later story beats funny, heartfelt, or unexpectedly moving.

Animation quality was mixed to negative, mostly due to janky or weak animation comments.

Animation is one of the game’s clearest showpieces, with bespoke parries, blocks, executions, facial reactions, and combat transitions repeatedly singled out as exceptional. A few reviewers noticed a gap between cinematic and gameplay presentation.

Crash stability was mixed, from one-crash praise to reports of hard crashes or repeated crashes in a specific area.

The reviewers who addressed crashes reported stable playthroughs without crashes, reinforcing the broader impression of strong technical reliability.

The companion roster drew mixed reactions, from mostly memorable faction representatives to a separate view that no one truly stood out.

The supporting cast is a major strength, with Shizuka, Okuni, Takamura, Ganryu, and the villains repeatedly praised for personality and memorable interactions.

Progression, perks, flaws, and no-respec commitment were widely praised, though level-cap and respec complaints created some friction.

Progression is split between useful skill growth and incremental stat upgrades. Some reviewers enjoy how new abilities change combat, while others barely feel the numerical gains.

Character development was mixed, with some praise for relationship growth but several complaints about unmemorable or thin characters.

Musashi’s reluctant-hero arc and growing acceptance of the Oni gauntlet are widely appreciated, as are several supporting arcs. Some reviewers wanted the Ganryu rivalry and parts of the cast developed further.

Enemy AI was sharply split between smart tactical behavior and complaints about idling, aggro, detection, or rough enemy decisions.

Regular Genma can be overly passive and easy to dispatch without using the full defensive toolkit, making ordinary encounters feel weaker than the bosses.

Aiming was mostly better and more natural, but one reviewer still found the reticle a little slippery.

The bow’s generous auto-aim makes headshots easy, but lock-on and targeting can occasionally keep attacks moving in an unwanted direction.

Content variety was mixed, with one review arguing expanded quantity sometimes came at the cost of depth.

One recurring complaint is that the overworld leans on repetitive objectives and familiar enemy groups, reducing variety outside the bespoke story stages and bosses.

Enemy variety was a repeated low point in IGN-aligned reviews, especially repeated creatures across planets.

Common-enemy variety is a recurring weakness, with several reviews noting repeated basic foes and armored variants across a long campaign. Boss variety is much stronger.

Fast travel was useful and sometimes praised, though lack of interplanetary fast travel frustrated one reviewer.

Spirit Mirrors make revisiting areas straightforward, although travel is tied to those points rather than available from anywhere. One reviewer specifically liked that restraint.

Originality was moderate, with one reviewer describing the sequel as incremental rather than transformative.

The best reviews argue that the swordplay has a rhythm and identity of its own despite borrowing from modern action games. More critical voices feel the broader structure follows too many familiar contemporary conventions.

Weapon balance ranged from fresh, satisfying arsenals to overpowered or underwhelming weapons and uneven biomass guns.

Oni Armaments fill distinct roles such as healing, stamina damage, and crowd control, and at least one reviewer found each option useful rather than redundant.

World interactivity was praised where obvious environmental solutions and discovered information could be acted on directly.

Combat benefits from environmental tools such as carts, planks, flames, and destructibles, but one reviewer disliked how many seemingly fragile objects cannot be touched.

Movement was usually considered improved and freer, helped by mobility options, though fall damage and melee sluggishness drew criticism.

Movement is mixed: modern 3D navigation and wall-running can feel good, while the dodge roll, lack of a normal jump, and some traversal friction draw criticism.

Art direction was mostly praised for color, personality, and alien worlds, though one reviewer preferred the first game's grounded look.

Reviewers consistently praise the grotesque Genma, corrupted Kyoto, historical architecture, and supernatural imagery. The aesthetic feels recognizably Onimusha while benefiting from much richer modern detail.

Innovation was split between praise for the flaws system and criticism that broader mechanics felt unimaginative.

Reviewers praise the way the game modernizes Onimusha and combines familiar action ideas into a distinctive parry-centered system rather than simply becoming another Soulslike.

Visual effects were praised by one reviewer for good-looking special effects and reflections.

Sparks, slow-motion reactions, attack effects, and cinematic finishing flourishes make clashes look dramatic without obscuring the swordplay.

Frame rate evidence ranged from smooth 60 FPS praise to concerns about 4K performance and quality/performance tradeoffs.

Performance is strong across PS5, Xbox, Switch 2, PC, and handheld testing, with many reports of stable targets and smooth combat. Steam Deck’s Eastern Kyoto hub is the main recurring performance caveat.

The main loop of talking, looting, fighting, and resolving problems your way was praised as satisfying and strongly role-play driven.

At its best, the loop of dueling, mastering defensive timing, absorbing souls, and upgrading Musashi is highly compelling. Some reviewers felt the opening and repeated hub chores obscure that excellent core.

Combat was widely seen as a major improvement, especially gunplay, though melee feel and RPG-shooter limitations kept some scores mixed.

The sword combat is the overwhelming consensus highlight: precise, weighty, reactive, and deeply satisfying, with parries, deflects, dodges, Issens, clashes, and Oni Armaments giving players meaningful options. Even critical reviews tend to praise the core fighting.

Graphics were generally positive, with vibrant worlds and improved visuals, though some character models or performance-mode compromises drew criticism.

The game is widely regarded as gorgeous, with strong character models, lighting, environments, and RE Engine presentation across platforms. Performance modes and the gap between cinematic and gameplay rendering introduce only minor visual compromises for most reviewers.

Exploration was generally rewarding and purposeful, though some reviewers found open stretches empty or unrewarding.

Exploration can be rewarding when it leads to charms, upgrade materials, myths, portals, or secrets. The strongest praise comes from reviewers who enjoyed searching every corner despite reservations about the hub structure.

Economy balance drew criticism from one reviewer who found bits and faction standing underdeveloped.

The material economy is a weak point for some reviewers: common upgrade resources can be oddly expensive or grindy, and their relationship to the broader progression loop feels less refined than the combat.

Mission variety was criticized by one reviewer who felt objectives repeated too often.

Fetch quests, repeated demon-clearing jobs, and reused overworld activities create a clear sense of repetition between the stronger set-piece missions.

Fun factor was mostly positive, though some reviewers tied their enjoyment to tolerance for repetition, pacing, or familiar design.

Most reviewers found the swordplay and boss mastery intensely fun and addictive, often seeking extra fights simply to keep playing. Repetition and padding are the main factors that wear down that enthusiasm.

Third-person camera implementation was criticized as uncomfortable by one reviewer.

Cinematic camera work can make attacks look spectacular, but combat framing is inconsistent. A few reviewers found the camera could get trapped or become frustrating near walls and bosses.

Difficulty was mixed: some liked the challenge and fairness, while others noted reverse difficulty or uneven spikes.

Difficulty is demanding but generally regarded as rewarding, with Story mode offering a gentler route and Action mode asking for precise play. Opinions split where normal enemies feel too easy or late bosses become punishing and unforgiving.

Dialogue was praised for branching options, smooth integration of background choices, and rewarding nonviolent solutions.

Character banter and comic exchanges give the cast personality, while quieter conversations help sell relationships and the reluctant-hero tone.

Faithfulness to the franchise was praised for refining the series, keeping its soul, and moving closer to Obsidian's RPG promise.

The revival modernizes movement, camera, scale, and combat without losing the Oni Gauntlet, soul absorption, Issen timing, horror flavor, or eccentric Onimusha identity. Longtime fans largely see it as a successful return.

Writing was one of the best-supported strengths, especially satire, dialogue, humor, and faction commentary, despite a few complaints about patchiness.

The writing is strongest in character banter, relationships, and emotional moments, though a few reviews describe the larger script as more serviceable than exceptional.

Onboarding and character setup were mostly praised for immediately expressing background, traits, and build identity.

The easiest Story setting is praised as an effective introduction to modern timing-based action, especially because it teaches defensive responses without turning the game into a passive tutorial.

Pacing was the most consistent caveat, with slow first acts, uneven zones, or late-game drag appearing in several reviews.

Pacing is the most repeated non-combat concern: early hub stretches, side activities, backtracking, and recycled fights can drag. The linear story missions and final run of set pieces are much more frequently praised for momentum.

Side characters and companions were divisive: many praised their faction ties and quests, while others found them uneven or unmemorable.

Shizuka, Okuni, Takamura, and Ganryu often earn praise for personality and chemistry with Musashi, though some reviewers wanted the rival storyline to go deeper.

Weapon and gear upgrades were usually liked for customization, but some reviewers found mod limits or specific systems clunky.

Upgrades are mixed: combat skills and some equipment boosts feel meaningful, while incremental stat gains and material requirements can feel dull, imperceptible, or grindy.

Reviewers generally liked the RPG systems, build options, and reactive mechanics, though a few found familiar systems less imaginative.

The layered defensive options, soul management, armaments, environmental tools, and resource systems create unusually rich moment-to-moment play. A few explanations and secondary systems can feel confusing or less polished.

One reviewer found the broader RPG structure easy to grasp despite its added ambition.

The combat is easy to understand but demanding to master, and many reviewers enjoy the process of learning timing and boss patterns. Some training and system explanations could be clearer.

Narrative quality ranged from excellent political intrigue and strong story beats to complaints about a weak, predictable, or flat core story.

Story reception is divided. Many reviewers love the character-driven tale, humor, relationships, and emotional beats, while others call the plot thin, convoluted, or less memorable than the combat.

Polish was mixed, balancing technical reliability improvements against uneven design and jank.

The combat, animation, and major presentation beats feel highly polished, but reviewers also point to camera issues, repetitive content, minor technical roughness, and uneven secondary systems.

Grind level was mixed: IGN found the RPG grind compelling, while RPGFan said repetitive tasks and level-cap timing hurt motivation.

Several reviewers criticize material gathering and repeated combat as unnecessary grind, especially around upgrades. Others found resources plentiful enough that deliberate grinding was rarely required.

Atmosphere was praised for oppressive planets, overwhelming corporate spaces, and a strong sense of place.

The blend of samurai action, body horror, mythology, and distinct locations creates a strong dark-fantasy atmosphere. The best areas feel eerie and characterful rather than like generic combat spaces.

Environmental detail was praised for purposeful design, interiors, environmental storytelling, and handcrafted spaces.

Kyoto, temples, forests, palaces, and supernatural spaces are praised for dense detail, historical texture, lighting, and small visual touches that reward close attention.

Load times were praised as reasonably short in one cross-platform review.

Transitions between cutscenes and gameplay are described as seamless, and retries after defeat are quick enough to keep difficult fights moving.

Lore depth was praised where new factions made Arcadia feel deeper and more distinct than the first game.

Japanese myths, legends, readables, collectibles, and side stories give the world substantial optional lore without requiring prior knowledge of the series.

Menus and inventory drew mixed-to-negative reactions, especially inventory patience, UI bugs, and clutter.

The interface and menus are praised for staying unobtrusive and avoiding unnecessary tab complexity.

One reviewer enjoyed shaping an idiot-savant commander, supporting protagonist role-play appeal.

Musashi is one of the strongest points of agreement: reviewers repeatedly call him charismatic, funny, cool, expressive, and easy to root for, with only a small minority finding his arc less compelling.

Voice acting was considered strong or solid, with performances generally supporting the setting and comedy.

Japanese performances receive near-universal praise, while English-language reactions are more mixed because of accent choices and occasional odd delivery. Several English cast members are still singled out for excellent work.

Controls were praised for snappier, more responsive shooting and better weapon heft.

Reviewers who directly addressed the controls describe them as tight and responsive, which helps the demanding timing-based combat feel fair.

Performance optimization was mixed but generally acceptable, with strong platform reports offset by rough PC or ray-tracing complaints.

Technical optimization is a strong point, with reviewers highlighting smooth frame rates and good visual quality even on less powerful or handheld hardware.

Soundtrack quality was mixed: radio and themed music were liked, while several reviewers found the score sparse or not memorable.

The score is praised for mixing traditional Japanese instrumentation with cinematic fantasy and horror tones without overpowering the action.

Value was mixed-positive: Game Pass and standard pricing were praised, while some reviewers recommended waiting for broader opinions or a sale.

Reviewers who directly discussed price generally felt the campaign quality, replay options, and production values justify the cost for action fans.

Replay value was a major strength, with reviewers wanting additional runs for alternate builds, choices, paths, and endings.

Boss rematches, harder difficulty, challenge rewards, and New Game Plus give combat-focused players meaningful reasons to return. Replaying padded missions is less appealing to some critics.

Story mode earns strong praise for wider timing windows and real-time action prompts that teach parries, dodges, deflects, and Issens. One review still wanted broader visual accessibility options.

The use of Toshiro Mifune’s likeness and the game’s performance casting are generally viewed as fitting and distinctive, even though a minority questioned the ethics or necessity of recreating a deceased actor.

Checkpointing is usually generous, especially around difficult fights, though one reviewer disliked having to restart multi-phase boss encounters from the beginning.

Collectibles often reward exploration with mythology, story details, cosmetics, or progression, and the Lion Dogs and Oni Portals are particular favorites. Some completion-oriented tasks still feel repetitive or low-value.

Companion AI drew negative comments for reckless combat behavior and frequent deaths.

Facial animation is repeatedly described as among the game’s best visual work, especially Musashi’s expressive mannerisms and subtle reactions during both cutscenes and gameplay.

Opinions on length are mixed, but the strongest criticism says a superb shorter action game has been stretched into a 25–30 hour experience. A smaller group felt the adventure did not overstay its welcome.

Steam Deck and Switch 2 coverage is notably positive, with playable performance and strong visuals on the go despite heavier battery or CPU load in Eastern Kyoto.

The body horror, grotesque Genma, corrupted environments, and occasional Resident Evil-like sequences add genuine unease without overwhelming the action-adventure focus.

Loot was praised as meaningful, rewarding, and varied enough to support distinct builds.

Wall-running is a small but well-liked traversal addition that expands movement without turning the game into a platformer.

Reviewers strongly praised the freedom to solve situations through speech, stealth, combat, skills, traits, and prior discoveries.

Story mode’s prompts and the practice systems make the timing-heavy mechanics easier to understand, with reviewers praising their usefulness for newcomers and mastery alike.

Boss fights are the standout attraction: dramatic, mechanically distinct, visually memorable, and built to reward mastery of parries, dodges, deflects, and Issens. The main caveat is repeated use of some minibosses and recurring foes.

Cosmetic options exist, with additional looks unlocking through play and harder modes, but the selection initially feels limited.

Cross-save support was positively noted when saves moved between Xbox and PC.

Console and Switch 2 versions are generally well supported with useful performance options and stable play; Switch 2-specific control features are seen as fun if somewhat gimmicky.