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One enemy left, I have no moves and must skip the last turn and lose...
Game Information
Game Title: Blades of Fire
Platforms:
- Xbox Series X/S (May 22, 2025)
- PlayStation 5 (May 22, 2025)
- PC (May 22, 2025)
Trailers:
- Blades of Fire Character Trailer
- Blades of Fire - Official Combat Overview Trailer
- BLADES OF FIRE Trailer 4K (New Third-Person Action Game Like GOD OF WAR 2025)
Developer: MercurySteam
Publisher: 505 Games
Review Aggregator:
OpenCritic - 72 average - 49% recommended - 73 reviews
Critic Reviews
33bits - Fernando Sánchez - Spanish - 90 / 100
Blades of Fire, the new game from Spanish studio MercurySteam, arrives quietly but is poised to become one of the surprises of 2025. A fable of fire and steel that tastefully blends recognizable elements from different genres and revolves them around the powerful concept of weapon forging and the depth with which the Madrid-based studio has endowed the concept. Once it catches your attention, Blades of Fire is a game you shouldn't miss; it will captivate you.
AltChar - Asmir Kovacevic - 80 / 100
Blades of Fire is an action RPG following its own rules and trying to be something else, even though the similarity with the Souls titles and their influence is something it cannot escape from. However, the unique fighting mechanics, paired with the original weapon management, are enough to make this game very intriguing and to make it stand out in the sea of titles that mindlessly try to be like every other game out there.
Analog Stick Gaming - Jeff M Young - 6.5 / 10
Blades of Fire likely sounded great on paper. However, its lack of direction, dated visuals, and inconsistent combat leads to far too much frustration. While the premise of forging your weapons is appealing, and does actually make the game stand out, the weapon swapping systems are cumbersome to use during combat and make this one adventure that's hard to recommend.
Atarita - Eren Eroğlu - Turkish - 70 / 100
Blades of Fire may have let me down in many ways, but its solid gameplay ideas and well-crafted world still make it a game worth exploring.
BaziCenter - آرش سفیدی - Persian - 8 / 10
Blades of Fire had the potential to be one of the best action-adventure games in recent memory if it had stuck to its unique ideas instead of borrowing from others. Its gameplay mechanics are some of the freshest and most exciting we've seen in years, bringing a much-needed burst of creativity. However, the story, characters, and level design feel uninspired and rely too much on familiar tropes, offering little that feels new or engaging. This imbalance leaves the game exciting to play but disappointing to experience as a whole.
But Why Tho? - Kyle Foley - 7.5 / 10
Blades of Fire is a well-made package focusing more on crafting creativity than physical battles. It forces players to take a more thoughtful approach instead of prioritizing fast-paced action.
COGconnected - Stephan Adamus - 80 / 100
Like its title, Blades of Fire suffers from aspects that are kind of generic. The visual design and musical score emulate Hollywood fantasy to a fault, and the gameplay is excellent. Fans of action RPGs can safely ignore the Souslike label and enjoy this very accessible game.
Cerealkillerz - Gabriel Bogdan - German - 7.4 / 10
Blades of Fire sadly offers very little, besides some small creative rays of hope and misses completely, when it comes to create interesting characters and a gameplay that can offer something new in a overcrowded genre. If some variety in boss fights and metroidvania-like exploration is enough for you, you can still give this a try.
Console-Tribe - Simone Cantini - Italian - 80 / 100
Will MercurySteam now be recognized as the studio behind Blades of Fire? Based on my experience, I certainly hope so. Their new IP offers a challenging and engaging adventure with a distinct identity and well-crafted gameplay elements, particularly its combat system and arsenal management. Its main flaw lies in an overly extended duration, leading to some redundant and less inspired sections that may amplify a sense of disorientation due to certain design choices. Nonetheless, it remains a game with a strong personality, making bold and divisive gameplay decisions that will reward those willing to embrace its nature.
Cultured Vultures - Ash Bates - 7 / 10
Blades Of Fire gets in its own way sometimes with busywork-heavy quest design, but the unique combat and enjoyable weapon crafting save it.
Daily Mirror - Aaron Potter - Unscored
can’t say I ever truly invested in Aran’s personal plight, but I very much enjoyed the way he goes about resolving it, all thanks to one of the most unique and thoughtful melee combat systems I’ve experienced in the past few years. Blades of Fire borrows from the past, but when it comes to combat and creativity it also forges its own way forward.
Digitale Anime - Raouf Belhamra - Arabic - 8 / 10
"A new flame in the dark fantasy world" Blades of Fire successfully balances inspiration and innovation. Despite being an AA entry, it has ambitious ideas that it confidently delivers, particularly through its unique blacksmithing system and thoughtful combat. Its emotional narrative and dark fantasy-infused world give it a distinct character. With some improvements, it could become one of the most prominent action-adventure games
Blades of Fire manages to feel original, lovable, and born of genuine passion, despite the near overwhelming number of problems that could have extinguished it.
Everyeye.it - Brian Arnoldi - Italian - 7.5 / 10
The combat system and crafting mechanics thus come together in a unicum that makes the gameplay of Blades of Fire innovative and truly original. At the beginning, such an impressive amount of choices to make might seem overwhelming. But it still remains a much-needed breath of fresh air in a stagnant sector .
Expansive - Cait Lee - 3.5 / 5
Blades of Fire is an interesting take on a familiar genre, offering some clever ideas, well engineered combat and a vibrant world. There’s challenges with this one, though, like traversal, iffy mini games, and some grind. However this is a mostly enjoyable romp that deserves the chance to be played and appreciated and a game that ultimately presents in a positive light.
GAMES.CH - Benjamin Braun - German - 80%
"Blades of Fire" surprised us in a very positive way. After the dubious prologue, we would have guessed it would be mediocre, but the game quickly picks up pace and improves with almost every hour of play.
GRYOnline.pl - Mateusz Zelek - Polish - 6 / 10
Blades of Fire has two faces – at first the game irritates with nearly every little thing, but after a while the pieces seem to fit quite nicely. I wanted to discover new mechanics (that were extremely poorly explained) and really get to know the game. But that does not change the fact, that it is tiresome and demands frequent breaks.
Game Rant - Cameron Swan - 6 / 10
MercurySteam makes its bold return with Blades of Fire, a Soulslike with some revolutionary mechanics but some serious pacing issues.
Game8 - Michael Gerra-Clarin - 68 / 100
Blades of Fire is a fun action-adventure game that boasts its unique features well but unintentionally shows off its many flaws.
GameGrin - Mike Crewe - 9 / 10
With fun, challenging combat and a fantastic weapon-forging system, Blades of Fire is one of 2025's most surprising videogames for all the right reasons.
GameLuster - Axel Cushing - 8 / 10
Blades of Fire could have been another Soulslike with a gimmick. Instead, MercurySteam has delivered a well crafted world with an intriguing adventure and the means to let players really find out what works best for them when they need to take hold of some cold steel.
Gamefa - Mostafa Zahedi - Persian - 7.5 / 10
Blades of Fire brings back so many good memories from previous Console generation. with an engaging combat system and interesting forging mechanics, it can entertain you for many hours.
Gameliner - Philip Zeldenthuis - Dutch - 5 / 5
Blades of Fire is a thrilling third-person action-adventure that draws you into a rich, mysterious fantasy world full of lore, puzzles, and rewarding exploration, with intense, tactical combat and a deeply satisfying forge system that make it a must-play for anyone who loves challenging, story-driven games.
Gamepressure - Zbigniew Woźnicki - 6.5 / 10
Blades of Fire is a pretty decent, average game. It looks good graphically and works just as well. Unfortunately, it can be irritating and even boring at times.
Blades of Fire adds a unique twist to the action RPG formula with new inventive mechanics that reward long-term investment with hugely enjoyable combat and a compelling story to boot.
Gamer Social Club - Vikki McGowan - 7.5 / 10
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Blades of Fire. A lot of people online seem to be comparing it to a Soulslike, which I just don’t see. The team over at MercurySteam have put a lot of time and effort making a very unique system that encourages a completely different approach to combat than I’ve really experienced before. I’m usually one to stick to one style of weapon, if not just one weapon, but Blades of Fire stops you from doing that. You are a master blacksmith and a master at arms and you need to use every tool available to you to save this cursed world.
Gamers Heroes - Casey Scheld - 80 / 100
Blades of Fire tries something new with its combat, truly excelling as a result. Those that devote the time to its blacksmithing and weaponry will no doubt have fun slicing and dicing (and piercing and blunting).
GamesRadar+ - Abbie Stone - 4 / 5
It's got the Metroidvania chops of their Nintendo Switch high-point Metroid Dread, the fantasy-horror imagination of their Castlevania: Lords of Shadow games, and a fantastic combat system that smashes them both. A great adventure that'll make you want to try every weapon it hits you with. Outstanding.
Gamesource Italia - Nicola Galea - Italian - 8.5 / 10
Blades of Fire is configured as an atypical action (RPG), capable of combining the tradition of “hardcore” titles with a metroidvania setting that represents, to all intents and purposes, its most distinctive stylistic feature. The game map, in fact, is developed around a vertical and layered, highly interconnected structure, in which exploration, backtracking and spatial memory assume a central role. This approach, far from the more recent drifts of the open world, restores an organic and coherent sense of progression, reinforcing the player's sense of growth through knowledge gained in the field, rather than through mere numerical statistics. Mercurysteam's introduction of a forging mechanic is certainly the most successful innovation, shifting the focus of progression to weapons. On the other hand, the overall gameplay experience can be too diluted, with fragmented quests and unclear objectives that can detract from the pace of the experience. Ultimately, Blades of Fire is not afraid to stray from the established canons of action to offer a certainly authorial vision. It is not an immediate title, nor is it all that forgiving, but it will know how to gratify you if you are looking for a new experience among this year's many releases.
GamingBolt - Matthew Carmosino - 7 / 10
Blades of Fire stands out with its unique sword-based combat and surprisingly deep forging system. While it stumbles with repetitive enemy encounters and frustrating escort missions, there's no denying the charm and originality in its core gameplay loop. It's a flawed gem, but one that action-RPG fans will find plenty to enjoy in.
Generación Xbox - Spanish - 88 / 100
With an excellent combat system and the ability to forge massive weapons, this is a fresh experience that's not your typical souls-like game. Blades of Fire stands out from the rest in its own way, allowing us to enjoy its diverse and expansive world. Whether you're a fan of this style of game or not, it's a pleasant surprise, coming from the talent of a Spanish studio.
Gert Lush Gaming - Jim Smale - 7.6 / 10
Despite its learning curve, Blades of Fire offers a rewarding experience for players seeking deep combat mechanics, rich customization, and an open-world adventure filled with secrets. While there are areas for improvement, the foundation sets the stage for a promising franchise.
Gfinity - Feliciano Mondigo III - 8 / 10
In the end, Blades of Fire is an intriguing blend of old-school charm and modern design, like a game forged out of time. Its deep combat and weapon forging shine, even as its 3D Metroidvania structure occasionally falters. Backtracking and vague direction can frustrate, but the game’s heart and ambition stand out, especially with plenty of secrets to uncover in its sprawling fantasy world.
HCL.hr - Hrvoje Smoljic - Unknown - 68 / 100
Blades of Fire is an RPG that knows where its priorities lie, but everything surrounding its mechanical core remains underdeveloped, failing to leave a lasting impression.
Hobby Consolas - David Rodriguez - Spanish - 87 / 100
Blades of Fire is one of the most ambitious Spanish games of recent times and an action-packed offering worthy of applause for bringing a sense of renewal to a crowded gaming genre. With a combat system directly tied to role-playing elements and exploration, this title will captivate the most discerning action RPG fans.
IGN - Jada Griffin - 5 / 10
Blades of Fire’s blacksmithing burns bright, but overly simplistic combat and a mediocre story mean it doesn’t forge a sharp enough edge to put its customizable weapons to good use.
IGN Italy - Alessandra Borgonovo - Italian - 6.5 / 10
An action-adventure that is guilty of a lot of naivety and tries to do too much, without really concluding anything. Too bad, because the potential was all there.
IGN Spain - Alejandro Morillas - Spanish - 8 / 10
Blades of Fire gives us a fascinating approach to action adventure, using ingredients from Action RPG and souls like within a huge world, to give a mixture with a unique flavor. Its spectacular and addictive battle system, combined with the enormous possibilities of the forging system, make Blades of Fire one of Mercury Steam's best works to date, despite its rough edges.
Just Play it - Aimen TAIB - Arabic - 8 / 10
The developers of Metroid Dread and Castlevania return with a new identity in Blades of Fire—a story-driven adventure inspired by Souls-like mechanics. But rather than merely imitating the genre, the game carves its own path with unique systems like weapon forging, weapon loss, and resource management. It offers a journey that blends challenge, narrative depth, and a beautiful visual style, making it a perfect experience for fans of story-rich and gently punishing games.
Kakuchopurei - Jonathan Toyad - 60 / 100
MercurySteam has a lot going for with Blades of Fire despite its drawn-out story and path that does wear out its welcome over time. While not exactly the most engrossing of all action RPGs with Dark Souls DNA, Blades of Fire is still worthy of your time due to its approach to weapons-crafting and nuances to its combat system.
Loot Level Chill - Mick Fraser - 7 / 10
Blades of Fire has some elements that feel original and compelling, but it ultimately falls short of the bar set by other AA adventure games of recent years.
Merlin'in Kazanı - Samet Basri Taşlı - Turkish - 78 / 100
It’s not an unmissable classic, but it’s a game I’d recommend to those who love the genre to try. I’d also like to mention that while I was playing the game, I kept thinking how great this combat system would be in new God of War games.
MonsterVine - James Carr - 2 / 5
Blades of Fire is a misfire, attempting to mix elements of soulslike games with its own action ideas in an oil and water result. The story is bland, and the characters are deeply unfunny despite constantly trying to be, resulting in a tone that matches the worst of the Xbox 360 era. Obtuse and confusing level designs combined with the choice not to have objective markers create a frustrating experience, which is only furthered by the unique combat system feeling out of sync with the hardcore third-person combat games it wants to emulate.
Niche Gamer - Fingal Belmont - 9 / 10
Blades of Fire is a lengthy and substantial quest, dense with optional challenges and secret encounters. There is no shortage of similar action games out there, but Mercury Steam proves that their work on Metroid Dread was no fluke. Blades of Fire is easily one of the best options out there, and it achieves epic AAA quality without being a $70 game, too.
One More Game - Chris Garcia - 7 / 10
Blades of Fire is not a game for everyone, but players who choose to invest in its deep and highly involved systems will be treated with a title that rewards persistence and creativity. The game's combat and forging systems are the star of the show and really make it stand out among its contemporaries.
It is a surprise, especially from a developer such as MercurySteam. However, it is also dragged down by its uninspired story and world that would fail to hook players from its dreadful start and premise. It's a respectable effort and worth checking out if you overlook its flaws.
Oyungezer Online - Turkish - 7.5 / 10
Blades of Fire is far from a masterpiece; it has graphical and technical weaknesses, with occasional noticeable shortcomings. However, thanks to smart gameplay decisions, masterfully crafted mechanics, and creative details, it manages to make you overlook most of these flaws. If only the development team had a bigger budget, these well-designed mechanics could have been backed by the same level of technical polish. Still, Blades of Fire succeeds in thoroughly pleasing fans of the genre—even surprising them at times. Despite its imperfections, it absolutely deserves to be played and given a chance.
PC Gamer - Kerry Brunskill - 74 / 100
Blades of Fire can be great fun, but it definitely overstays its welcome.
PCGamesN - Grace Benfell - 6 / 10
With its weapon-building systems and deliberate, targeted combat, Blades of Fire has a lot of fresh-feeling ideas. Its control scheme is strange and will force you to press each button with care. Its granular forging system makes you consider every weapon in your arsenal. But however differently it approaches them, the game only offers the same thrills as other action games of its ilk. Blades of Fire feels unique, but just can't get weird enough.
PPE.pl - Paweł Musiolik - Polish - 5.5 / 10
Well, I was fooled by the enthusiastic announcements. Blades of Fire revolves around mediocrity. Sometimes it rises above them, sometimes it scrubs the bottom with its nose.
PSX Brasil - Bruno Henrique Vinhadel - Portuguese - 75 / 100
Overcoming an uninteresting and confusing beginning to the game, as well as flawed level design at times, can be a big challenge here. In any case, there is a lot of interesting stuff in Blades of Fire and an originality that needs to be highlighted in the combat and weapon creation system, even though the game is otherwise heavily inspired by other works.
Pizza Fria - Matheus Jenevain - Portuguese - 7.3 / 10
Even though I had fun with the combat and forging mechanics, and was intrigued by some aspects of its narrative, I felt that the title wasn't all it could be due to some flaws that affect the experience as a whole.
PlayStation Universe - Garri Bagdasarov - 7 / 10
Blades of Fire is a great return to the genre for MercurySteam. With great exploration and a unique combat system, Blades of Fire should have been a sure hit. Unfortunately, the situations you encounter feel completely unfair, and the mechanics sometimes work completely against you. Even still, Blades of Fire is a fun game that harkens back to the old school action-adventure titles, where exploring its world reaps the best rewards and game experience.
Push Square - Khayl Adam - 7 / 10
Blades of Fire is a well-made and lengthy action adventure romp that will test your combat skills, provided you can see it through. Taking inspiration from some of gaming's greatest hits, it never quite manages to reach those lofty heights itself, let down by a generic setting and lacklustre art direction. Still, it offers some interesting concepts, with combat and crafting mechanics that remain satisfying throughout.
RPG Site - James Galizio - 6 / 10
MercurySteam's latest project holds a lot of promise, but death by a thousand cuts holds it back from true greatness.
RPGamer - Jordan McClain - 3.5 / 5
Blades of Fire is an impressive and solid action RPG that executes soundly on its foundational ethos, which lends itself extremely well to its combat and lore. Unfortunately, the game’s remarkable aspects are somewhat undermined by its scope, level design, and some janky gameplay and presentation elements.
Rectify Gaming - Victor Tan - 7 / 10
Blades of Fire brings fast-paced combat with a weapon-based combat system. Strengthen your weapons and understand your enemies’ weaknesses to succeed. Figuring out how all the mechanics work together is difficult and the story is predictable. The game puts a new spin on the action-adventure genre that pays off, though it won’t break much new ground.
Restart.run - Charlie Wacholz - 3 / 5
If I could slash its frustrating level designs in half, focusing on the character and intrigue its eccentricities added while sifting out the gameplay impurities they come with, Blades of Fire would be an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a cool hack-n-slash. Instead, it’s plagued with unforgivable wheel-spinning that undermines a lot of what I liked about its satisfying gameplay loop.
SECTOR.sk - Jakub Pokorný - Slovak - 8 / 10
If you're a fan of Souls-like games, Blades of Fire is a must-play. It introduces unique mechanics that may not suit everyone, making it a very specific experience. It's not as accessible as God of War, but also not as punishing as traditional Souls titles'landing somewhere in between. While it may not look like it at first glance, this is very much an RPG at heart, not just a hack-and-slash.
Saudi Gamer - Arabic - 6 / 10
Blades of Fire has some brilliant ideas to make a forge based Soulslike game, but it failed to execute these ideas to the point it broke the game's pacing badly
SavePoint Gaming - Harry Kalogirou - 5.5 / 10
There are many parts of Blades of Fire that I admire or had fun with. It’s unique and inventive in ways that so many games aren’t nowadays. Unfortunately, its many moving parts fail to come together and create a cohesive whole. It’s far from being an outright terrible game, but it doesn’t come close to the highs that MercurySteam have been able to achieve with their other titles in recent years.
Shacknews - Lucas White - 6 / 10
It’s a kind of game that feels out of place in time, but benefits from its accidental time travel by doing things a PlayStation 2-era console simply can’t.
Slant Magazine - Justin Clark - 2 / 5
Ultimately, there’s too much work involved for not nearly enough reward from the world or the narrative, despite the occasional interesting twist and turn.
Spaziogames - Italian - 8 / 10
Blades of Fire is ultimately a game for those who can appreciate beauty beyond appearances-for those who seek in video games not just entertainment, but a chance to journey through, understand, and, in a way, forge themselves. Imperfect and a bit rough around the edges at first glance, yet incredibly solid and deep, MercurySteam's latest project is further proof that you don't need a massive budget to create something truly special.
SteamDeckHQ - Noah Kupetsky - 4 / 5
Blades of Fire is a fantastic metroidvania that excels in its gameplay loop. The combat is addicting and gory, with a solid amount of variety thanks to the weapons you can craft and wield. Combined with the simplistic progression and upgrade system, the experience is easy to get into and difficult to master. There are some little nuisances here and there, like getting your weapon caught on walls and some storytelling woes, but these are worth fighting through to experience this wonderful game.
On top of that, it runs decently on the Steam Deck, even though it is only on the Epic Games Store. It can handle near-stable 30 FPS with low settings, and while it could be improved with a Steam release, it's still a solid way to play it if you don't want to wait for that possibility.
Stryftek - Ryan "Stryftek" Bullock - Worth your time
Video Review - Quote not available
The Beta Network - Anthony Culinas - 6 / 10
Blades of Fire had the potential to be a blazing sleeper hit, but too often settles for a safe, lukewarm affair. It’s not bad—it’s just painfully mid. And in today’s crowded action-adventure space, mid doesn’t quite cut it.
The Games Machine - Gabriele Barducci - Italian - 7.5 / 10
Blades of Fire alternates very good mechanics (the forge and the combat system) with less successful ones (characterization, narrative and game world). It is well playable and fun, but it has the feeling of a wasted opportunity.
TheSixthAxis - Aran Suddi - 8 / 10
Blades of Fire is a very good game, blending tough action RPG combat with a fun and unique weapon forging. The story is a little by the numbers and exploration does have a lot of back and forth, but the different regions and enemies look great and the narrative is elevated by Aran and Adso's relationship.
Twisted Voxel - Ali Haider - 7 / 10
A solid but uneven debut for MercurySteam’s new IP, blending satisfying weapon-crafting with God of War-inspired combat. While its enemy variety falters and pacing stumbles early on, the deep forging system and punishing boss battles carve out a niche worth exploring. Not quite a masterpiece, but a promising foundation for future installments.
Blades of Fire may not revolutionize the genre, but it brings enough quality, originality and heart to stand out in a crowded field. Its approach to crafting is genuinely engaging, its world is refreshing to explore, and the relationship between its two leads adds emotional depth to tale. Combat isn’t flawless, but when it clicks, it’s rewarding, tense, and complements the satisfying weapon crafting mechanics.
Xbox Achievements - Josh Wise - 60%
The new game from developer MercurySteam is Blades of Fire, which is not a good name. Blades of Fire. It sounds like a documentary about patriotic i...
XboxEra - Jesse Norris - 7 / 10
Blades of Fire is not going to be a game for everyone. It’s beautiful, runs great, and has some design decisions that made me pull my hair out. It’s incredibly long, and I do not think that it benefits the game in any meaningful way.
ZTGD - Terrence Johnson - 8.5 / 10
Blades of Fire is a welcome return to MercurySteam and I think it’s one that is going to be a sleeper hit. The way the story unfolds and pushes the player to explore the environment that is littered with hidden fights and upgrades that will help Aran become stronger.
Game Information
Game Title: Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny (2025)
Platforms:
- PlayStation 4 (May 23, 2025)
- Xbox One (May 23, 2025)
- Nintendo Switch (May 23, 2025)
- PC (May 23, 2025)
Trailer:
Review Aggregator:
OpenCritic - 75 average - 65% recommended - 48 reviews
Critic Reviews
Atarita - Seyidcem Öztürk - Turkish - 78 / 100
Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny is a relic of its time—visually upgraded and still atmospheric, but ultimately too dated and uneven to shine beyond its niche appeal.
But Why Tho? - Abdul Saad - 8.5 / 10
Onimusha 2 Samurai’s Destiny doesn’t reinvent the wheel or dramatically modernize every aspect of the original game. However, with its stylish action, welcome updates, and nostalgic charm, the remaster proves that even a 20-year-old game can still cut deep.
CGMagazine - Khari Taylor - 8 / 10
Of all the Capcom games I have played whose lineage can be traced back to its Resident Evil and Devil May CDevil May Cry 5 (PS4) Reviewry origins, Onimusha 2:
COGconnected - Stephan Adamus - 85 / 100
Despite the sometimes frustrating fixed camera angles, goofy voice acting, and rushed second half, Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny is one of my favorite games I’ve played this year.
Checkpoint Gaming - Luke Mitchell - 7 / 10
It's honourable, in a way, to present the Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny remaster mostly unchanged from its original 2002 PS2 version. The visuals have been given a freshen up, and some smart changes – like weapon switching on the fly, auto-save, and more – definitely make for a more playable experience. But the fixed camera angles and dated production values don't necessarily show Onimusha in the best light, leaving this remaster as a clunky history lesson for newcomers, and a solid throwback for fans.
Cloud Dosage - Jon Scarr - 3.5 / 5
Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny Remaster brings back a PS2 classic with cleaner visuals, smoother controls, and light quality-of-life tweaks. Its branching companion system and rewarding combat still stand out, even if some camera issues and story elements haven’t aged well. The remaster stays faithful to the original, for better and worse. Fans of the series will find something to enjoy, but it’s a tougher sell for newcomers.
Console Creatures - Bobby Pashalidis - 8 / 10
Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny is an improvement over Warlords and is easily a highlight for the series.
Cultured Vultures - Ash Bates - 8 / 10
A smart remaster that retains the core of the original while improving graphics and adding quality of life improvements, Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny is great for both fans and newcomers.
Digitale Anime - Raouf Belhamra - Arabic - 8.5 / 10
“A glorious return of a legendary classic” The remastered Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny doesn’t aim to reinvent the classic, but rather presents it as it was—but more smoothly and elegantly. The experience retains its challenging, uniquely Japanese feel, and cinematic atmosphere, while adding thoughtful technical touches that open the door to a new audience without disappointing longtime fans.
GRYOnline.pl - Sebastian Kasparek - Polish - 8 / 10
Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny was a great game on PS2 and nothing has changed more than 2 decades later. The remaster has the same set of good and bad things, with some quality of life changes and bonuses that will appeal mostly to fans of the series.
Game Rant - Matt Karoglou - 8 / 10
Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny is a remaster that does the PS2 original justice and a great experience to whet the appetite before the series' revival.
GameBlast - Alecsander Oliveira - Portuguese - 8.5 / 10
Capcom delivered another successful remaster. Although Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny is the least beloved of the original trilogy, it remains a major classic of the sixth console generation and one of the most ambitious titles of its time. With quality-of-life improvements and a beautiful adaptation of its pre-rendered backgrounds to HD, this is the definitive version of Jubei Yagyu's revenge.
GameGrin - Artura Dawn - 7 / 10
Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny is a nostalgia hit for the ages, but it might struggle to tempt the new crowds.
GameSpew - Richard Seagrave - 7 / 10
Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny is a bold sequel that adds RPG elements into the mix and has more of an action focus. Awkward fixed camera angles add unwanted frustration to combat, though, and the new weapon switching mechanic is troublesome to use in the heat of battle.
Without being as cult as Onimusha Warlords, Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny shows just how special this license is. Despite the weight of time, the gameplay is still effective and more accessible with the introduction of modern controls. It's clearly a basic remaster like the first one, but it's the best way to play it. However the high price just for one game is not justified here.
Gamefa - Arman Zarmehr - Persian - 8.2 / 10
Onimusha 2 Remastered Presents numerous improvements, some targeted changes, and new content, Onimusha 2 is a more engaging experience for new audiences and a more accessible experience for old fans to get a sense of nostalgia. Of course, there are some things that this remaster doesn't do well; from the suboptimal performance of the weapon switching mechanism to the discontinuous movements when switching camera angles, all of which prevent this remaster from being considered a full-fledged re-release, but it can still be said that Onimusha 2 Remastered is very much worth experiencing thanks to its engaging gameplay and multi-branching story, and now the game's visual improvements have made these aspects look better than ever.
Gamers Heroes - Johnny Hurricane - 85 / 100
This remaster of Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny is a great new way to play this timeless samurai tale. Whether you're a fan of the original or a newcomer to the series, don't hesitate to check this one out.
Gaming Instincts - Leonid Melikhov - 7 / 10
Overall, it’s a faithful remaster that longtime fans will likely appreciate. However, newcomers might be put off by its pre-rendered environments, frequent camera angle changes, overly cheesy and bad voice acting and a combat system that clearly shows its age when compared to more modern titles such as Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, or Ghost of Tsushima. This is a game best approached with an open mind and a willingness to experience a retro Capcom title from a very different era in game design.
Generación Xbox - Gabriel Fuentes - Spanish - 80 / 100
I hope Capcom decides to remaster the rest of the series while continuing to reboot the franchise in a title that will be released next year. The truth is, so far, the work bodes well .
Hardcore Gamer - Matthew Mendisana - 4 / 5
Capcom's retro hack-and-slash adventure Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny returns in a crisp new remaster.
IGN Italy - Arturo Perrotta - Italian - 5.5 / 10
An extremely conservative operation. More like a port with extra content than a remaster; a product intended for fans of the saga and fans of the video game's history, but unlikely to appeal to younger gamers.
IGN Spain - Rafa Del Río - Spanish - 7 / 10
While we wait for the release of Onimusha: Way of the Sword in 2026, Capcom returns to the fray and rescues one of the best episodes of the saga, Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny. Available on Playstation, Switch, PC and Xbox consoles, the remastering stays in the previous generation offering a work that could have been better. Fortunately the original game is powerful enough to hold its own with what is undoubtedly the best option to relive the story of Jubei Jagyu and Oda Nobunaga.
Just Play it - Abdelillah MOHAMED AZIZI - Arabic - 8.5 / 10
Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny, one of Capcom's timeless classics, returns in a superb remastered version that brings modern performance to the gameplay while offering excellent and polished Arabic language support. It delivers an action-adventure experience that beautifully blends drama with ancient Japanese mythology. Without a doubt, this version is the perfect choice to dive into the experience, whether you're a longtime fan of the series or a newcomer.
Loot Level Chill - Chris White - 8 / 10
Despite it being released in 2002, Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny has some cool new features, and is still enjoyable to play in the current gaming climate.
MonsterVine - Samantha Lienhard - 4.5 / 5
Onimusha 2 might have some odd pacing and distances itself from its predecessor's survival horror trappings, but it's a great game with a lot to offer, and the remaster further improves it with some nice bonus features and quality-of-life improvements. I couldn't be more excited for the future of Onimusha, and Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny further proves this series deserves its revival.
Nintendo Life - Oliver Reynolds - 8 / 10
Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny is a strong, worthy successor to the original that is now at its absolute best on Switch. Some of it feels dated by modern standards, with fixed camera angles that arguably should have been ditched back in 2002, but it still feels incredibly fun regardless. The remaster adds in a bunch of quality-of-life updates and extras that both longtime fans and newcomers will appreciate, but ultimately, this is a faithful revival of one of the PS2's very best games. Now the patient wait for Onimusha 3 begins.
PC Gamer - Sam Desatoff - 65 / 100
Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny represents the design tenants of a bygone era, more often for worse than better.
PSX Brasil - Thiago de Alencar Moura - Portuguese - 80 / 100
Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny is a very welcome remaster of a great PS2 title that arrives on current platforms with much-needed improvements. Although it still retains some minor issues, fans of adventure and samurai games have a lot of joy in this important piece of Capcom's catalog.
PlayStation Universe - James Davie - 6 / 10
Some believe that in order to truly "remaster" a game, there has to be a mastered game to begin with, and in the case of Onimusha 2, it certainly (with all due respect) isn't a game that was made with mastery to begin with. A derided sequel given an appreciable but unsurprising remaster, Onimusha 2 is worthwhile to play if you didn't play it in 2002, and is a capable study for new players.
Push Square - Liam Croft - 7 / 10
Even with the baggage of its PS2 origins, Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny is a welcome trip down memory lane.
Quest Daily - Tom Greer - 8.5 / 10
“There’s something sacred about revisiting an old-school PS2 title and finding it not only intact but enhanced only where needed. The remaster of Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny pulls off that rare feat — retaining the original’s quirky charm and soul. Capcom has tweaked the game in just enough places that it doesn’t ruin the nostalgia.”
SECTOR.sk - Matúš Štrba - Slovak - 7 / 10
Some elements of the Onimusha 2 remaster still hold up 23 years after its original release, offering moments of engagement and fun. Others, however, haven't aged as gracefully, and time has taken its toll. As a result, this remaster feels more like an intriguing relic of the past'best appreciated by longtime fans looking to revisit the reasons they once fell in love with the series, rather than newcomers.
Saudi Gamer - Arabic - 7 / 10
A pretty good remaster of a game that is of its time, full of charm and wackiness that you either embrace or you don't, warts and all.
SavePoint Gaming - Jake Su - 6.5 / 10
There is something to be said about cherishing the classics, and for what it's worth, I did enjoy my time with this remaster of Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny. It provides a lens back to when things were much more simpler and straightforward, where being able to complete a run in 6 hours and still having a good time was more the norm than the exception. Capcom could have made more significant changes to bring the game up to modern standards. Yet, in this form, we get to see how far games have come, albeit with a tinge of sadness at the missed opportunity to build even more hype ahead of Onimusha: Way of the Sword.
Shacknews - TJ Denzer - 8 / 10
Onimusha 2 is a strange but good action game. There aren’t many things like it, but I’m glad it’s back just the way it is. The swordplay and progression are great and the story is an oddity determined by a number of decisions you make at crucial points.
Siliconera - Jenni Lada - 7 / 10
The Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny remaster is a valuable one, especially with Way of the Sword on the horizon.
SmashPad - Danreb Victorio - 3 / 5
A lot of fans consider Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny to be the best game in the series, and while that may be the case, like Onimusha Warlords before it, it hasn’t aged well.
Spaziogames - Gianluca Arena - Italian - 7.5 / 10
Even with a mostly no-frills remaster, Capcom succeeds in bringing Onimusha 2 on modern hardwares, so that a new generation of players can appreciate its combat system and rudimentary affinity system. A better game than its predecessor overall, but stil not the best in the series, however.
Onimusha 2 has a lot to be proud of. It was well received by critics and gamers alike in the same year that Grand Theft Auto Vice City and Metroid Prime were released. While I’ve no doubt that there will be a lot of fans out there that will defend its remastering, it does little more than highlight how far games have come for me — and highlight why I shouldn’t play the old ones.
TechRaptor - Austin Suther - 8.5 / 10
A classic with a quality remaster, Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny features crisp, enhanced visuals and other improvements like auto-save and new controls. The campiness of the story is endearing, and the action-oriented, Resident Evil-like gameplay holds up after all these years.
The Games Machine - Majkol "Zaru" Robuschi - Italian - 7.6 / 10
A faithful remaster of a PS2 classic, Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny brings back the brooding atmosphere and layered storytelling fans remember. The improved resolution and new QoL features are welcome, but the lack of real enhancements or modern refinements holds it back. While Jubei's journey remains compelling and replayability is high thanks to branching paths, the dated combat and stiff controls may deter newcomers. Longtime fans will appreciate the nostalgia, but this feels more like preservation than revival.
The Nerd Stash - Julio La Pine - 8.5 / 10
Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny is an excellent remaster and a clear step up from Onimusha: Warlords. While it still has its innate jank, the new additions and QoL features make this game feel up to current-day standards.
TheGamer - George Foster - 4 / 5
Considering how long Onimusha fans have been waiting for Samurai’s Destiny to make a return on modern platforms, the lack of significant bonuses doesn’t feel like a big sticking point. More than anything, it let me finally experience a brilliantly unique series that for years I’ve been missing out on.
TheSixthAxis - Adrian Burrows - 5 / 10
Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny is a highly influential classic, one that deserves a lot more love from Capcom than this drab remake has to offer. There was a brilliant opportunity to spoil the player with behind-the-scenes developer content here, but that chance has been squandered. Instead, you get to swap weapons with a button press rather than by going into the menu and sharper visuals. You're best off saving your money and digging your PS2 out of storage, I say.
Video Chums - A.J. Maciejewski - 8 / 10
Even with its retro baggage, Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny is an undeniably great game that fleshes out the original's formula very well and in some unexpected ways to boot. 👹
Worth Playing - Chris "Atom" DeAngelus - 8 / 10
Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny is a strong update to a good game. It adds all of the polish and updated features I had wanted. Most of the problems I have with the game are ones that were true of the original release, too. It's a darn fun little follow-up to Onimusha: Warlords, which expands the gameplay without losing the fun feudal Japanese Resident Evil vibe the franchise has always had going for it.
Xbox Achievements - Richard Walker - 80%
Am I getting older, or are old games getting harder? The answer is both. I fondly remember romping through Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny when it...
Xbox Tavern - Jamie Collyer - 6 / 10
Which leads me to my final thoughts. As a remaster, it’s well done if basic; some upspuffed visuals, a few QoL improvements, and an easier way to revisit the game. But unfortunately the game itself is showing its age, with obtuse objectives and maps and combat that rarely feels fun or exciting to engage in. One for old fans, and cautious new players looking to see what the series is all about before the new Onimusha: Way of the Sword next year.
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