You can try this classic PS2 game from Capcom on Nintendo Switch 2 for free right now

There are so many bangers when it comes to PlayStation 2 games, and Capcom is behind plenty of them. But I’m not talking about Resident Evil or Devil May Cry, I’m looking at Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny. A brand-new port of the seminal entry in the long-running action game series launched earlier this year, but when it comes to remasters, it can’t hurt to be a little skeptical. The good news is that Nintendo Switch players don’t have to pay for it just yet.

If you’re browsing the eShop looking for some new Switch games to play, it isn’t exactly friendly to your wallet. Many first-party games from Nintendo continue to have astronomical prices, so I’m always delighted when fresh demos appear. Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny is one of the latest titles to get a free demo, offering a slice of what the remaster has to offer. Better yet, you get to play the entire prologue of the game, too. That’s around 30 minutes of gameplay, which I reckon is a decent chunk of time to decide if this port is for you.

To bring it into the modern age, Capcom outfits Onimusha 2 with more than a few tweaks. You can expect HD graphics and higher fidelity textures, as well as modernized controls to make combat more forgiving. If there’s one thing that early PlayStation 2 games are guilty of, it’s awkward control schemes, so I’m glad to see this feature headlining the game’s overhaul. There’s more to it, though, such as quality-of-life features like auto-saves and easier weapon switching during fights.

Those of you who love getting a peek behind the curtain can view over 100 pieces of concept art by character designer Keita Amemiya in the port’s gallery mode. The entire 43-track score accompanies his artwork, too. Beyond seeing how Capcom put the game together, Hell mode difficulty is unlocked right from the start, as well as The Man in Black, Team Oni, and Puzzle Phantom Realm mini games.

I’m guessing for some of you, it isn’t your first time crossing paths with the Onimusha series. If that’s the case and you own Onimusha: Warlords on the Nintendo Switch, you’re entitled to a unique outfit for Jubei, as long as you have save data for the first game on your console. In the full release of Onimusha 2, you need to find the ‘Special Features’ option in the menu, select ‘Jubei’s Outfit’, and then toggle the ‘Special’ version. However, this is purely cosmetic and has no bearing on gameplay.

What I really dig about Onimusha 2 is the reliance on well-timed strikes and counters in combat. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good button-mashing experience, but it’s a far cry from what Capcom was doing with Devil May Cry at the time. Issen hits are a key part of any sword fight, rewarding you for attacking just as an enemy is about to hit you. If you’re into games like Ghost of Yotei, then you’ll probably get a kick out of it.

There are also no compatibility issues with the Nintendo Switch 2, so you can go ahead and enjoy it on the latest handheld with no problems.