Onimusha: Way of the Sword vs Relic: The First Guardian

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: Single-Player Only
• Setting: Feudal Japan (Edo Period)
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
• Release Window: 2026
• Unique Feature: A modern revival of the classic Onimusha series, blending cinematic samurai action with a deep, deliberate combat system and the iconic soul absorption mechanic.

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: Single-Player Only
• Setting: Dark Fantasy (Inspired by Korean Folklore)
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
• Release Window: Early 2026
• Unique Feature: A unique, level-less progression system where character strength is determined by finding runes and gear, combined with a fast-paced, stamina-breaking combat system inspired by Sekiro.

• Oni Gauntlet (Voice): The game is a single-player experience. The sentient gauntlet on Musashi's arm serves as his constant companion, providing dialogue, lore, and access to his supernatural powers.
  Artifact / Spirit

• Souls (Red, Blue, Yellow): Absorbed from every defeated enemy. They are the primary resource for upgrades (Red), special abilities (Blue), and healing (Yellow).
• Hidden Scrolls: Found through exploration, these scrolls likely unlock new weapon techniques or provide deeper lore about the Genma and the Oni.

• Fragments: Found by exploring the vast environments. These are essential for unlocking new skills, armor, and weapons.
• Runes: Found through exploration and by defeating enemies. Runes are the primary method of enhancing and customizing the player's abilities.

• Samurai
• Feudal Japan (Edo Period)
• Supernatural Horror
• Demonic Invasion
• Mythology
• Action-Adventure

• Dark Fantasy
• Soulslike
• Korean Folklore
• Action RPG
• Mythology
• Post-Apocalyptic

• Katana: Primary Melee
  Musashi's primary weapon, used for a deliberate system of light attacks, heavy attacks, parries, and ripostes.
• Two Celestials: Twin Daggers
  A unique weapon that enables special strategies, integrating with the soul system for cyclical healing and damage.
• Oni Gauntlet Powers: Supernatural Abilities
  Special attacks fueled by the blue soul gauge, allowing for area-of-effect strikes, crowd control, and other powerful abilities.

• Weapon Options (5 Types): Varies (Swords, Axes, etc.)
  Players can choose from 5 different weapon types that radically change the combat style, from heavy, armor-crushing swings to high-mobility jumping attacks. Each weapon has unique, alterable skills.
• Shield: Defensive
  One of the weapon options includes a shield, allowing for a more defensive playstyle centered on blocking and bashing to disrupt opponents.

• Functional Armor Sets: Customization is likely functional through the equipping of different armor sets. Each set will have a unique appearance reflecting the game's historical and mythological Edo-period aesthetic. Unlockable costumes are also a staple of the series.

Progression is centered on the Oni Gauntlet. Players absorb colored souls from defeated enemies: red souls are used at shrines to purchase permanent upgrades for weapons and abilities; blue souls fill the 'Oni Power' gauge for special attacks; and yellow souls provide healing. The game also features classic experience-driven stat boosts and new moves unlocked through progression.

Progression is a significant departure from traditional RPGs, as there are no character levels. Instead, players strengthen their character by finding and upgrading runes, items, and crafting new gear. Each of the 5 weapon types has unique skills that can be altered to fit a player's playstyle. Progression is intrinsically tied to exploration and completing dungeons.

The game features a 'wide linear' world design, not a full open world. It consists of large, explorable zones with secret paths and optional sidequests, which are interspersed with more linear, story-focused segments. The design balances exploration with a well-paced narrative.

The game features a semi-open world structure that encourages free exploration of the collapsed world of Arsiltus. The environment is dynamic, with random enemy encounters and interactive terrain that can be used strategically in combat, such as breakable cliffs and flammable surfaces.

• Miyamoto Musashi: Playable Protagonist
  The legendary real-world swordsman, reimagined as a warrior fighting back against a demonic invasion with the help of the supernatural Oni Gauntlet.
• Sasaki Ganryu: Antagonist / Rival
  Musashi's historical nemesis, who also wields an Oni Gauntlet. Their complex rivalry is a central part of the story.
• Oni Gauntlet (Voice): Companion / Guide
  The sentient artifact bound to Musashi's arm. It provides guidance, exposition, and banter throughout the journey.

• The Last Guardian: Playable Protagonist
  The hero of the story, tasked with a mission to find the pieces of a broken great relic to save the continent of Arsiltus.
• The Brutals: Bosses
  70 formidable and massive bosses that the player must defeat. Each Brutal has a personal tale of sorrow that the player inherits.

• Main Campaign
  A cinematic, story-driven campaign following Miyamoto Musashi's quest to fight the demonic Genma, confront his rival Sasaki Ganryu, and unravel the mysteries of his Oni Gauntlet.
• Side Quests
  Optional quests found in towns or through exploration using 'Oni Vision'. These offer new gear, lore, and unique mini-boss encounters.

• Main Story Quests
  A cinematic campaign that follows the Last Guardian's quest to find the pieces of the broken great relic and close the void that has consumed the continent of Arsiltus.
• Dungeons
  Optional and mandatory dungeons that must be completed to expand the world and acquire essential items and upgrades for character growth.
• Brutal Hunts
  Targeting and defeating the 70 formidable 'Brutal' bosses scattered throughout the world to progress the story and gain powerful special items.

• Q: What is Onimusha: Way of the Sword?
  A: It is a modern revival of Capcom's classic samurai action series, Onimusha. It is a single-player, third-person action-adventure set in a dark fantasy version of feudal Japan.
• Q: Is it a remake or a new story?
  A: It is a brand-new game with a new story, featuring the historical swordsman Miyamoto Musashi as the protagonist.
• Q: How is the combat different from the originals?
  A: The game moves away from the old 'tank controls' to a modern, fluid third-person system. It is more deliberate and tactical than a typical hack-and-slash, with a strong emphasis on timing-based parries, dodges, and special 'Break Issen' finishers.
• Q: Is it a Soulslike game?
  A: While it shares some elements like challenging combat and bonfire-like shrines, the developers have stated it is tuned to be more accessible than a typical Soulslike, with a forgiving parry system and fair progression.

• Q: What is Relic: The First Guardian?
  A: It is a single-player, dark fantasy action RPG with Soulslike elements. It features a semi-open world, fast-paced combat, and a unique progression system without character levels.
• Q: How does progression work without levels?
  A: Instead of gaining XP, you strengthen your character by exploring the world to find and upgrade runes, items, and crafted gear. Defeating the game's 70 bosses is also essential for acquiring powerful upgrades.
• Q: What is the combat like?
  A: The combat is fast-paced and skill-based, often compared to Sekiro. The core mechanic is parrying enemy attacks to break their stamina gauge, which staggers them and allows for massive damage.
• Q: Is it an open-world game?
  A: It is described as a semi-open world. Players can adventure freely and explore, but the experience is still guided by an exciting main story.

• SPECULATIVE PC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS. As official specs were not provided, these are hypothetical projections for a next-generation title built on the RE Engine.
• Laptop Performance Note: A title like this would demand a high-performance gaming laptop for the best experience. Actual performance would vary significantly based on the final game's optimization and the laptop's specific hardware configuration.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU would be essential to handle the advanced graphical features of the RE Engine, including ray tracing.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: The game's visually rich world and intense, effects-heavy combat will require a laptop with a cutting-edge cooling solution to prevent thermal throttling.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: A powerful multi-core mobile CPU will be critical for handling the complex enemy AI and physics-based combat.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus would be a critical feature for reducing latency and ensuring the best possible performance in the timing-based combat.
• Game Name: Onimusha: Way of the Sword

• SPECULATIVE PC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS. As official specs are To Be Confirmed (TBC), these are hypothetical projections for a next-generation Soulslike built on Unreal Engine 5.
• Laptop Performance Note: A title like this would demand a high-performance gaming laptop for the best experience. The fast-paced, reaction-based combat requires a high and stable framerate.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU would be essential to handle the advanced graphical features, ray tracing, and maintain high framerates during boss fights.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: The game's visually rich world and intense combat will require a laptop with a cutting-edge cooling solution to prevent thermal throttling.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: A powerful multi-core mobile CPU will be critical for handling the advanced enemy AI and physics-based combat.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is a critical feature for reducing latency and ensuring the best possible performance in a game reliant on precise timing.
• Game Name: Relic: The First Guardian

• G P U T G P: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU would be essential to handle the advanced graphical features of the RE Engine, including ray tracing.
• Cooling Thermals: The game's visually rich world and intense, effects-heavy combat will require a laptop with a cutting-edge cooling solution to prevent thermal throttling.
• C P U Power Limits: A powerful multi-core mobile CPU will be critical for handling the complex enemy AI and physics-based combat.
• M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus would be a critical feature for reducing latency and ensuring the best possible performance in the timing-based combat.

• G P U T G P: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU would be essential to handle the advanced graphical features, ray tracing, and maintain high framerates during boss fights.
• Cooling Thermals: The game's visually rich world and intense combat will require a laptop with a cutting-edge cooling solution to prevent thermal throttling.
• C P U Power Limits: A powerful multi-core mobile CPU will be critical for handling the advanced enemy AI and physics-based combat.
• M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is a critical feature for reducing latency and ensuring the best possible performance in a game reliant on precise timing.