Some players came away from Onimusha’s demo worried that the game would be too easy, a concern I’ve addressed in-depth based on my own time with the game. The good news is that I think the challenge level is well-judged for most people, and Onimusha does have a hard mode.
For those who hoped to jump right into the hardest possible difficulty from the main menu, though, I’ve got some bad news: you’re going to have to beat the game first.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword’s default difficulty options
Story: “A difficulty level that lets you focus on the story. Recommended for action game beginners.”
Musashi deals more damage and stamina damage and takes less from enemy attacks
Action prompts default to on, showing button icons for how to deal with incoming enemy attacks
Action: “A difficulty level for those who like challenging battles. This difficulty level will keep you on your toes. Recommended for experienced action game players.”
You can freely change between these two options from save points throughout the game.
Individually adjustable difficulty tweaks:
Action prompts
Tips (tutorial messages)
Navigation UI icons
(Image credit: Capcom)
How to unlock Onimusha: Way of the Sword’s Hard mode
There’s just one way to unlock Onimusha’s harder difficulty level: Finishing the game. No shortcuts, sorry! Here’s the in-game description:
Carnage: “A difficulty level where a single hit could mean death. A high-stakes mode where carelessness can kill, but victory is all the sweeter.”
If you choose this difficulty, it’s locked in. You can’t change to Story or Action. But you do get a bit of a leg up, because Carnage is a New Game+ mode that carries over some of your progress from a completed save.
What does the hard mode New Game+ carry over?
Awakened Oni abilities
Enhanced basic and special abilities
Acquired Hozuki Pouches and upgrades
Items, offerings, and “some” materials
Charms and charm upgrades
Unlocked outfits
Tutorial drills and boss rematch unlocks and completion
Genma Notes and rescued Lion Dogs
There’s a lot that doesn’t carry over to NG+:
Story and sidequest progress
Clothing, sword, and gauntlet upgrades
Materials for those equipment upgrades
Red souls used for upgrades, skill unlocks and buying materials
Spirit Mirror save points
Oni bow
Progression of items buyable with red souls
2026 games: All the upcoming gamesBest PC games: Our all-time favoritesFree PC games: Freebie festBest FPS games: Finest gunplayBest RPGs: Grand adventuresBest co-op games: Better together
