Why Are Some People Comparing Onimusha Way of the Sword to The Elder Scrolls?

OSAKA, Japan — A legendary franchise has returned to the spotlight, but its modernized gameplay has sparked some massive identity confusion online.

Released by Capcom, Onimusha: Way of the Sword (2026) is the highly anticipated revival of the classic samurai action series. Directed by Satoru Nihei and produced by Koichi, the game trades fixed camera angles for fluid, modernized swordplay as players slice their way through demonic Genma forces.

However, leading up to and following the game's launch, a bizarre narrative took hold across social media and gaming forums, with fans frequently comparing the title to Bethesda's massive open-world RPG, The Elder Scrolls, and branding it the next great "Soulslike."

If you are preparing to step into the boots of Miyamoto Musashi, here is the truth behind the rumors and what you actually need to know about the game's structure and playtime.

Debunking the Elder Scrolls and Soulslike Rumors

To set the record straight: Onimusha: Way of the Sword is strictly an action-adventure game. It is not an open-world RPG, nor is it a Soulslike.

The comparisons to The Elder Scrolls largely stem from a wave of online discourse and memes reacting to the game's modernized mechanics. Because the game features expanded areas, side objectives, and deeper customization for Musashi's Oni abilities, some players mistakenly assumed Capcom was pivoting to a massive, sprawling open-world format similar to Skyrim. The development team has explicitly clarified that while the environments are larger than classic entries, the game remains a tightly focused, linear action experience.

Similarly, the punishing nature of modern melee combat leads many players to instantly label any game with a parry system a "Soulslike." Reviewers have pointed out that while Way of the Sword features intense, adaptable swordplay that requires timing and precision, it lacks the stamina-management focus, corpse-runs, and bonfire mechanics that define the Soulslike genre.

How Long Does It Take to Beat?

Because the game is not a never-ending 150-hour open-world RPG, the playtime is much more concentrated, though completionists will still have their hands full.

While exact hour counts vary wildly based on player skill and exploration, critics and early reviewers note that reaching 100% completion takes roughly two weeks of steady playing.

This extended completion time is largely due to the game's robust post-campaign content. Reaching 100% requires tackling the game's New Game Plus mode and surviving the punishing Carnage difficulty, which remixes enemy placements and demands absolute mastery of Musashi's defensive abilities.

Ultimately, players expecting an Elder Scrolls sandbox will be disappointed, but fans seeking a tightly paced, highly cinematic samurai action game will find exactly what they are looking for. Capcom's latest revival proves that sometimes, a linear, expertly crafted action game is exactly what the industry needs.