Capcom is asserting that Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny, which first arrived in 2002 on the PlayStation 2, is your last chance to relive a gem. Though some aesthetic choices, like the use of fixed camera angles and old-school action gameplay, reveal the age of the game, it does offer content that is worth re-exploration.
An Adventure Built for Replay
Onimusha 2 is a reasonably short experience. That is, both returning players entering after years away and jumping in for the first time will find the playtime modest. The short playtime is typical of action titles from the early-2000s. Most players are able to complete their first run in a mere 10 to 15 hours. Still, there’s a lot hidden behind that tip of the iceberg.
Like Capcom’s survival horror classics, Onimusha 2 rewards players who revisit the tale of the game. Players who are experienced will have runs done in a lot less time, even speedrunners who complete it in less than a five hour time frame which is mentioned for the remaster.
Earning Every Trophy Demands Strategy
Gamers need to complete the main story if and when they want to unlock all achievements or trophies. There are some tough goals, including ultimate mode and a no-upgrade, no-jewel run through the game. To combat these obstacles players will need new strategies and insight into the systems.
Also, gathering each file and map yields a clean game finish. Due to their spread-out location, they tend to require one or more while collecting them, especially for players who miss entries on the first run.
Multiple Endings Add Variety
Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny features a unique ending system that is one of its highlights. How the story ends will vary based on the main character’s bonds with other characters Ekei,Kotaro and Magoichi. As players progress throughout the game, they have the ability to gift these characters to strengthen their affinity, which ultimately affects the ending. Avoiding engagement with them altogether also leads to a different type of conclusion.
The variations in the game not only make it long-lasting but also encourage players to play with different narrative choices, adding to the game’s overall replayability.
A Great Way to Prepare for What’s Next
If you’re a fan of the franchise, this is the best time to return to Onimusha. The next chapter of the series titled Onimusha: Way of the Sword is due out in 2026. Still, Samurai’s Destiny has a lot more to offer those willing to dive deeper into the experience.
With various endings, gameplay challenges and unlockables, Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny shows that some classics are worth revisiting more than once.