WALKTHROUGH
Onimusha: Way of the Sword Full Walkthrough
Follow all 22 Way of the Sword story missions in order, see the safest cleanup checkpoints, and prepare for The Clash at Rendaino point of no return.
Quick answer
Onimusha: Way of the Sword has 22 main story missions in the in-game Way of the Sword list. The final mission, The Clash at Rendaino, is the documented point of no return. Finish open side content and keep a manual save before accepting it. After the story, Continue returns to the pre-finale state for cleanup; it is not Chapter Select.
The three phases below are an editorial route for planning, not official chapter names. Mission names and order follow the launch game list documented by VGC.
All 22 story missions in order
| # | Mission | Route note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Ruckus at Rendaino | Opening combat and story setup |
| 2 | The Stage is Set at Kiyomizu | Kiyomizu route and the first Ganryu duel |
| 3 | Kyoto, Corrupted | Opens the wider Kyoto situation |
| 4 | The Oni's Apprentice | Core Oni systems and Wind-Whipper progression |
| 5 | Careful What You Wish For | Early Kyoto progression |
| 6 | The Curse of Kiyomizu-zaka Slope | Kiyomizu-zaka route |
| 7 | A Strength in Refuge | Oni Refuge progression |
| 8 | Patching up the Pouch | Introduces Hozuki Pouch enhancement |
| 9 | Windswept Kennin-ji | Kennin-ji story route |
| 10 | An Immortal Talent | Continues the central conflict |
| 11 | What Lurks in the Shadows | Underground Laboratory and Mask Puzzle |
| 12 | The Roots of All Evil | Post-laboratory progression |
| 13 | Bloodbath on the Bridge | Opens later side-content checks |
| 14 | Shadows Fall | Unlock gate used by later activities and gear |
| 15 | A Tempest at the Temple | Temple return and new side-content availability |
| 16 | To Live is to Suffer | Late-game route begins |
| 17 | Okuni's Kabuki Dance | Unlock checkpoint for later Curious Cases |
| 18 | The Demon on the Mount | Mount Oe story route |
| 19 | A Haunted Distraction | Late-game setup |
| 20 | Storm Chaser | Kennin-ji return and paired boss progression |
| 21 | In the Light of an Icy Moon | Last broad cleanup unlock checkpoint |
| 22 | The Clash at Rendaino | Point of no return and finale |
Missions 1–8: learn the systems, do not over-clean
The opening hours teach sword defense, soul absorption and Oni tools while parts of Kyoto remain blocked. Search the immediate route, but do not repeatedly sweep sealed alleys or fogged areas. Several collectibles and map activities are not available until later story gates.
Priorities for this phase:
- Practice Parry, Deflect and Issen as separate timings.
- Spend early upgrades on survivability and a small number of dependable attacks.
- Complete Patching up the Pouch when it appears; it begins the pouch-upgrade path.
- Activate Spirit Mirrors and note blocked routes for a later return.
Use the Beginner Guide for combat fundamentals and the Hozuki Pouches guide when pouch variants become available.
Missions 9–15: laboratory, map systems and build growth
The middle section is where a first run starts to branch into meaningful cleanup. What Lurks in the Shadows takes Musashi into the Underground Laboratory and contains the Mask Puzzle. Completing it also gates Lion Dogs and other Curious Cases tracked on the map.
Recommended order:
- Finish the active story route before attempting a full collectible sweep.
- Solve the Mask Puzzle on Laboratory Level 3 and keep the Unsettling Mask for the matching door.
- Revisit Yorimasa after major missions because the material inventory expands.
- Begin clearing visible Chance Encounters and Mysteries of Kyoto as they unlock.
- Collect Lion Dogs while traveling, but save the full 36-location sweep for the late-game map state.
Missions 16–21: finish side content and prepare the save
Late missions open the remaining regions, boss arenas and side activities. In the Light of an Icy Moon is the last major unlock checkpoint in the documented Chance Encounter route, so the safest full cleanup begins after it and before accepting the finale.
Before starting Mission 22:
- Make a separate manual save.
- Finish the eight Mysteries of Kyoto and 18 Chance Encounters you want on this run.
- Check all 36 Lion Dogs and the first 22 Genma Notes.
- Collect the Oni Bow plus all six gauge-based Oni Armaments.
- Upgrade the Hozuki Pouches required for Medical Marvel.
- Spend remaining material stock only after checking the upgrade-material route.
The Clash at Rendaino point of no return
The game warns before the final mission. Treat that prompt as a temporary lock on broad exploration, not as permanent loss of the save. Launch guides document a post-clear Continue option that returns to the state before the final battle. That makes cleanup possible, but it does not let you select any earlier mission.
The safest approach is still a branch save before accepting the mission. It protects the widest first-run map state and gives you a clean return point for collectibles, upgrades and trophies.
What to do after the story
After the credits, choose based on the goal:
- Continue for first-run cleanup and the post-final-boss Yoshitsune Genma Note.
- New Game Plus for the next cycle and Carnage difficulty.
- Boss Rematch in the Practice Grounds for encounter practice and related trophies.
Carryover is selective. Review the New Game Plus guide before overwriting a completed file.
Frequently asked questions
How many main missions are there?
There are 22 entries in the documented Way of the Sword story list.
Is The Clash at Rendaino the final mission?
Yes. It is also the documented point of no return before the finale.
Can I return after finishing the story?
Yes. Continue returns you to the pre-final-battle state for cleanup, but it is not a chapter-select feature.
When should I collect everything?
Pick up convenient items as you play, then do the comprehensive sweep after In the Light of an Icy Moon and before The Clash at Rendaino.