Onimusha: Way of the Sword Hard Mode, Fast Travel, and Oni Armament Guide

Capcom's samurai action game, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, features a well-judged challenge level for players, alongside customizable difficulty tweaks. While the default options include a story-focused mode and a more challenging action mode that can be freely toggled at save points, the game's highest difficulty tier is locked from the start. To unlock the demanding hard mode, players must first complete the game. This high-stakes mode, known as Carnage, means a single hit could mean death. Because Carnage acts as a New Game+ mode, it carries over specific progress from a completed save file, such as awakened Oni abilities, enhanced basic and special abilities, acquired Hozuki Pouches and upgrades, items, charms, unlocked outfits, tutorials, boss rematches, Genma Notes, and rescued Lion Dogs. However, story and sidequest progress, equipment upgrade materials, red souls, spirit mirrors, and the Oni bow do not carry over.

As players explore Kyoto and other locations, fast travel is managed through Spirit Mirrors. These locations are scattered across various regions including Eastern Kyoto, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, the Oni Refuge, Nijo-jo Castle, the Underground Laboratory, the Kyoto Imperial Palace, and Mount Oe. Unlocking these Spirit Mirrors helps players navigate back to previously explored areas to complete side quests, rescue Lion Dogs, and upgrade gear.

Alongside navigation, players can collect a total of six powerful Oni Armaments throughout their journey as Musashi. While some are obtained naturally during main missions, others require careful exploration. Noteworthy armaments include the dual daggers known as The Two Celestials, the crowd-clearing Wind-Whipper gifted by Takamura, the break-damage-focused Earth-Shakers found in the Underground Laboratory, the fire-dealing Firebird Flute in southeastern Kyoto, and The Flashing Void located in a cavern on the way to Mount Oe. Additionally, players tracking down three stolen Stout Pillars will need to smash their way through specific enclosures and courtyards in Kyoto to complete related quests.

In related developer news, Game Informer recently visited Capcom to interview director Satoru Nihei and producer Akihito Kadowaki for a 75 rapid-fire question segment regarding the development of the first samurai action entry in the series in several decades.