Onimusha: Way of the Sword Has the Best Parry in Video Games
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Polygon's review argues that Capcom's newly released action RPG Onimusha: Way of the Sword features the best parry mechanic in video games, despite parrying having become an overused and stale trope across the genre, even appearing in unrelated titles such as 007 First Light. The writer credits this to exceptional animation and sound design, arguing that the combat system's execution elevates a familiar mechanic into something genuinely memorable, which matters because it demonstrates how craft and presentation, rather than novelty, can revitalise well-worn gameplay conventions.
The game, released on 4 September for consoles and Windows PC, casts players as swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, whose combat revolves around blocks, dodges and parries reinforced by reflex dodges, Issen strikes and blade locks. Successful parries trigger loud clashing sound effects, sparks, DualSense controller rumble and slowed time on perfect timing, while also building Musashi's Blazing State gauge, which chips away at an enemy's stamina to set up powerful strikes; the reviewer particularly praises dynamic animations that let Musashi parry even with his back turned, arguing the detail makes the swordsman feel genuinely skilled rather than mechanical.
- Polygon review: Onimusha: Way of the Sword has gaming's best parry mechanic
- Capcom's action RPG launched 4 September on consoles and PC
- Praised for sound, animation, controller rumble and slow-motion on perfect parries
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Onimusha is a long-running Capcom video game series, mixing samurai swordplay with supernatural enemies, that began on PlayStation 2 in 2001. Way of the Sword is a new entry released on 4 September for consoles and PC, putting players in control of the real-life swordsman Miyamoto Musashi as he fights his way through combat encounters using blocks, dodges and parries.
A "parry" is a common move in action games where timing a block correctly lets a player deflect an enemy attack, often opening them up to a counter-strike; it is such a familiar mechanic that some critics consider it overused, turning up even in games far removed from swordplay, such as the spy title 007 First Light. This background matters because it is the basis for a review from the gaming site Polygon, which argues that Way of the Sword's version of this well-worn mechanic stands out for its use of sound, animation and controller feedback.
The wider point of interest is less about whether one game is objectively "the best" and more about what makes a familiar gameplay idea feel fresh: reviewers often distinguish between a mechanic's novelty and the quality of its execution, and this story is an example of critics crediting craft and presentation for elevating something otherwise unremarkable on paper.
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