Capcom has another successful franchise revival on its hands. Onimusha: Way of the Sword sold more than 1 million units on launch day, giving the series a strong return nearly two decades after its last mainline release.
Capcom confirmed the milestone on September 7, making Way of the Sword one of the company’s latest examples of renewed interest in its older franchises. The game has also received a positive response from players and critics, with an 87% positive rating on Steam and an 85 Metascore.
The launch is particularly important for Onimusha, as Way of the Sword is the first new mainline entry since Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams arrived in 2006. The franchise has remained largely inactive since then, making the new release a significant test of whether the series could still attract a modern audience.
More importantly, Capcom’s announcement hints that Onimusha may not be the last dormant franchise to return. The company said it is focusing on “re-activating IPs that haven’t had a new title launch recently” while looking to make greater use of its extensive library of content.
That strategy could involve both remakes and entirely new games. Capcom has already found major success with its Resident Evil remakes, while reports have suggested projects involving Resident Evil Code: Veronica and the original Resident Evil. The company’s comments also leave room for new entries in franchises such as Marvel vs. Capcom and Dead Rising.
- Over 1 million units sold on launch day
- 87% positive Steam user rating
- 85 Metascore
- First new mainline Onimusha game in 20 years
- Capcom plans to reactivate older IPs
- Future projects could include new games as well as remakes
For longtime Capcom fans, Way of the Sword‘s launch performance is an encouraging sign. If sales remain strong, Capcom could have even more reason to bring additional dormant series back with new games.
