With the game's impending release on the horizon, Onimusha: Way of the Sword just released a new trailer and developer message as part of the Future Games Show - and the reveal that there's not just demon-slaying swordfights, but puffy little pooches that the player needs to save and add to the team as familiars.
Wishlist Onimusha: Way of the Sword on Steam now!
Release date: September 4, 2026
Become a samurai as you fight through Kyoto to prove you're unmatched in the way of the sword, only to find yourself facing creatures from the depths of hell.
It's not a long look by any means, but director Satori Nihei gives as a sneak peak at Musashi encountering one of these fluffy little critters and freeing him from the spiritual Malice that serves as a corruptive influence in the game. We're told that they serve as familiars to uncover folklore, though it's not clear yet what that will mean in gameplay terms.
Until now all we knew of the Lion Dogs was that there was an in-game toy charm of one available as a preorder bonus, but it's only now that we get to see the actual critter itself and confirm that the charm represents something present within the game.
We also got to see a new gameplay trailer, focused largely on showcasing a mixture of swordfighting gameplay and well-animated character flourishes, while a narrator speaks of the thrill of combat. I wouldn't say it's showing off anything revelatory about the game compared to all that's been revealed so far, but it's a good overview of tone and the intended experience, and worth watching if you're still curious.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword comes out September 4, 2026, on PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2. For more details, check out the official social media channels on X and Facebook.
If you're looking for more excellent games from today's Future Games Show, have a look at our official Steam page.
