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Way of the Sword is set in an early Edo-period Kyoto consumed by Malice. CAPCOM has confirmed four major locations so far — from the cliff-top stage of Kiyomizu-dera to the Genma fortress on Mount Oe — plus a story mechanic, the Dark Mass, that lets Musashi witness the past. Here is the confirmed world, with official screenshots.
This Edo-period setting is a fresh start for the series — see how its eras have shifted across every Onimusha game in order.
All location names, descriptions and screenshots are from
CAPCOM's official Location page
— screenshots ©CAPCOM.
A famed spot in Kyoto, known for its main hall and stage that sit atop a cliff. The encroaching Genma and their Malice have twisted its appearance into something darker.
This is where the free demo takes place — and where you duel Sasaki Ganryu on the temple stage.
A realm Musashi enters while exploring Kiyomizu-dera Temple. It appears to hold some connection to the Oni — expect it to tie into the Oni Gauntlet's origins and the Oni Lady.
Dokyo's laboratory, situated beneath the capital. The facility houses materials and subjects used to create new Genma variants — and is replete with traps to toy with and dispose of would-be intruders. Two of the confirmed enemy types, the Greater Nue and Chijiko, were created here.
A mountain range outside Kyoto, famed for its boundless nature, rich history and folklore. It has fallen under the control of a Genma calling itself Shuten Doji — a name straight out of Japanese legend — who awaits Musashi at the mountain's peak.
In folklore, Shuten Doji is the king of oni who ruled Mount Oe and terrorized Kyoto until Minamoto no Raiko slew him. CAPCOM's wording — "legends tell of an Oni by the same name, but could there be some connection here...?" — hints the game will play with that history.
A confirmed story mechanic: in his travels Musashi will occasionally find Dark Masses — manifestations of the combined resentment and negative energy of those killed in an area. Absorbing one into the Oni Gauntlet shows a vision of the past and the suffering that created it.
CAPCOM confirms the phenomenon can be observed at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and frames it as something that "will perhaps come to play an important part in what's to come" — expect Dark Masses to drive story revelations the way the gauntlet's souls drive combat.
Additional official environment shots of Genma-occupied Kyoto:
Meet the cast that inhabits these places in Characters & Enemies, or jump into the playable slice of Kiyomizu-dera via the free demo.
Every confirmed character in Onimusha: Way of the Sword — Musashi, his allies, rival Sasaki Ganryu, bosses like Shuten Doji, and all seven Genma enemy types.
Read →How to download the free Onimusha: Way of the Sword demo on PS5, Xbox, Steam and Epic — step by step, plus what to do if you can't find it.
Read →How to beat Sasaki Ganryu, the Onimusha: Way of the Sword demo boss. Attack patterns, parry & Issen timing, Story vs Action tips and common mistakes.
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