There is something satisfying about a good samurai game letting you look the part. When your character is Miyamoto Musashi, one of the most famous swordsmen in Japanese history, there is an expectation that you will look cool while cutting your way through hordes of supernatural enemies. Onimusha: Way of the Sword certainly understands that, and the Premium Deluxe Kit takes the idea of customisation and runs with it. Rather than offering another chunk of story, a new area or a collection of additional missions, this bundle is all about giving Musashi and his companions a little more personality, while throwing in a handful of useful gameplay bonuses for good measure.
The Premium Deluxe Kit brings together the contents of both the Deluxe Kit and Premium Kit, making it the biggest cosmetic package available for the game. There is a surprisingly generous amount packed inside, ranging from alternate sword appearances and Haori coats to completely different outfits for Musashi, Okuni and the Oni Lady. There are also three charms that affect gameplay, plus an in-game mini digital soundtrack. It is very much a fan-service package, but importantly, it knows what sort of fan service Onimusha players are likely to appreciate.
A Samurai With Style
The biggest attraction here is undoubtedly the sheer variety of ways you can dress Musashi. His Red Armor outfit gives him a considerably more imposing appearance, while the Hellfire, Moonlight and Cloudbiter Haori coats offer something a little more understated. Each has its own character, and switching between them can give Musashi a noticeably different presence as you move through Kyoto.
That may sound superficial, and in many ways it is, but cosmetic customisation works best when it complements the character rather than simply making them look ridiculous. Thankfully, most of the Premium Deluxe Kit’s offerings fit comfortably within the game’s dark samurai fantasy setting. There is enough variety to let you choose something that suits your personal taste without completely destroying the atmosphere that makes Onimusha so appealing in the first place.
Then there are the sword appearances, where Capcom has clearly decided to have a little fun. The Whittled Oar is exactly the sort of silly touch that can bring a smile to your face when you have just spent several minutes watching Musashi dispatch demons with deadly precision. The Bamboo & Panda appearance is similarly playful, while Raizan and Enryuu provide much more obvious nostalgia for long-time Onimusha fans.
The Charms Have A Purpose
Cosmetic items are all well and good, but the three charms included with the Premium Deluxe Kit are arguably the most practical additions. Oni Lady, Little Dancer and Mentor each provide gameplay benefits, giving players another way to shape Musashi’s abilities as they progress through the campaign.
This is an important distinction because the sword appearances, coats, outfits and Oni Gauntlet are purely cosmetic. They do not suddenly make Musashi stronger or alter how his attacks work. That is a good thing, as it means visual customisation does not interfere with the game’s combat balance. The charms, meanwhile, provide tangible advantages, making them the part of the package that players are most likely to appreciate as the difficulty starts to rise.
There is something refreshing about that balance. Capcom has not simply thrown a collection of powerful equipment into the bundle and called it a day. Instead, the cosmetic content remains cosmetic, while the few gameplay boosts are clearly separated. It makes the package feel more like an optional enhancement than something that fundamentally changes the experience.
Okuni And The Oni Lady Get Their Moment
Musashi understandably receives the lion’s share of attention, but the Premium Deluxe Kit does not forget the characters around him. Okuni receives three outfits, including Flower Dance, Goldfish Dance and Oni Dance, while the Oni Lady gets Bird Call, Snow Camellia and Elegance.
These outfits add a welcome splash of personality to two characters who could otherwise be overshadowed by Musashi’s imposing presence. They also show that the kit is not solely concerned with making the protagonist look different. There is an attempt here to give some of the game’s supporting cast their own visual alternatives, which makes the bundle feel more substantial.
Of course, how much you value these additions will depend on how attached you become to the characters themselves. If you like to customise every member of a party or enjoy changing appearances simply because you can, there is plenty here to keep you occupied. If you are only interested in new gameplay content, however, these outfits will naturally seem less important.
The Spirit Mirror Becomes Your Wardrobe
Everything is accessed through the Spirit Mirror once the relevant systems have been unlocked as you progress through the game. That is a sensible approach because it avoids dumping a mountain of content on the player immediately and lets customisation become part of the natural progression.
Being able to change sword appearances, coats, outfits and the Oni Gauntlet from the same location also keeps things straightforward. There is no awkward system to learn and no unnecessary menu hopping. Once the features are available, swapping between looks is simple enough, allowing you to experiment without feeling as though you are managing a second game alongside the main one.
It is worth remembering that some content may become available at a later date and that the latest version of the game may be required. That is hardly unusual for downloadable content these days, but it is something buyers should be aware of before wondering why everything is not immediately available.
A Little Nostalgia Goes A Long Way
For me, the Raizan and Enryuu sword appearances are among the most appealing inclusions in the package. Onimusha has a long history, and Capcom clearly understands that part of the audience will buy Way of the Sword because they remember what made the earlier games special.
These little callbacks do not need to change the gameplay to be effective. Sometimes simply seeing a familiar name or visual style appear on the weapon in Musashi’s hands is enough to bring back memories of sitting in front of an older console, working through another brutal encounter. That is where this DLC has a little more heart than a generic costume pack.
The Bamboo & Panda sword and Whittled Oar provide the opposite experience. They are there to make you grin rather than reminisce, and that contrast works surprisingly well. After spending hours surrounded by blood, monsters and dark supernatural imagery, having the option to run around with something deliberately ridiculous can be a welcome change of pace.
The Sound Of Kyoto
The inclusion of an in-game mini digital soundtrack is another nice touch, particularly for players who appreciate the atmosphere and music as much as the combat. The soundtrack can be accessed from the title screen menu, allowing you to listen to the music outside the main campaign.
It is not a replacement for a full soundtrack release, and it does not allow you to change the music playing during gameplay, so expectations should be kept in check. Nevertheless, it is a thoughtful extra and feels more meaningful than simply adding another cosmetic item.
Music has always played an important role in creating atmosphere in games like Onimusha, so being able to revisit some of those pieces separately is a welcome addition. It is the sort of feature that will probably be ignored by some players and genuinely appreciated by others.
Is It Worth The Price?
Ultimately, the Premium Deluxe Kit will live or die on one question: how much do you value customisation? There is no additional story campaign hidden in this bundle, no major new character, no new region to explore and no collection of fresh missions. If that is what you expect from downloadable content, this package is unlikely to change your mind.
For fans who enjoy dressing up their characters, experimenting with appearances and collecting additional goodies, however, there is considerably more here to enjoy. The three charms give the package genuine gameplay value, while the classic sword appearances offer the nostalgic appeal that long-time Onimusha followers will immediately recognise. Add the Musashi outfits, Haori coats, companion costumes and soundtrack together, and it becomes a sizeable collection.
There is also something to be said for Capcom keeping cosmetics separate from the game’s core combat mechanics. You can enjoy the Red Armor, switch to the Cloudbiter Haori or equip the Raizan sword without worrying that you are gaining a hidden advantage simply because you like the way it looks. The charms are where the statistical bonuses lie, and that division feels fair.
The Verdict
The Onimusha: Way of the Sword Premium Deluxe Kit is not essential DLC, and pretending otherwise would do players a disservice. What it is, though, is a generous collection of extras aimed squarely at those who want to squeeze a little more personality from their time with Musashi and his companions. It offers a good mix of serious samurai gear, playful cosmetics, nostalgic callbacks and useful charms, with enough variety to justify its existence beyond being another handful of costumes.
The Raizan and Enryuu sword appearances will likely be the biggest draw for veterans, while newcomers may be more interested in the Red Armor, Haori coats and companion outfits. The charms are the real practical bonus, giving players useful assistance without turning the DLC into an obvious shortcut through the campaign. And while the mini soundtrack is a relatively small extra, it rounds off the package nicely.
Most importantly, the Premium Deluxe Kit recognises that sometimes fans simply want more of the things they already love. There is no attempt to disguise this as a major expansion. Instead, it celebrates Onimusha: Way of the Sword with a collection of visual treats and a few useful additions. For anyone already enjoying Musashi’s bloody journey through supernatural Kyoto, that can be more than enough.
