Onimusha: Way of the Sword runs 22 main story chapters, and the point of no return is the late chapter “The Clash at Rendaino”. The game warns you clearly before you cross it, and, in genuinely good news for completionists, nothing in the game is permanently missable. Here’s how the ending, the post-game, and New Game Plus fit together.
The Point of No Return
When you reach The Clash at Rendaino late in the story, the game tells you you’re about to commit to the finale. Before crossing:
- Finish any side content you want done this run (Mysteries of Kyoto, Chance Encounters, shrine cleanups).
- Stock up and enhance at a Spirit Mirror.
One naming note so you don’t panic early: there’s a similarly named early-game chapter involving Rendaino (“The Ruckus at Rendaino,” which unlocks your Hozuki Pouch). The point of no return is the late-game Clash, and the in-game warning makes it unambiguous.
Nothing Is Missable
After the credits, choosing Continue places you back before the final mission with everything intact, so any collectible, trophy, or side quest can still be mopped up. The trophy list (52 trophies, one Platinum) contains no missables at all. Explore at whatever pace you like; the game never punishes you for finishing the story first.
How Long Is the Game?
- Main story: around 20 hours
- Average playthrough: about 25 hours
- Completionist run: roughly 33 hours
- Everything, including the Carnage difficulty clear: 60+ hours
New Game Plus and Carnage
Finishing the game unlocks Carnage, the one-hit-kill-tier hard mode, played through NG+. What carries over is specific:
Carries over: – Awakened Oni Abilities – Enhanced skills – Hozuki Pouches – Charms – Genma Notes – Lion Dogs
Does not carry over: – Equipment enhancements (Clothing, Sword, Gauntlet ranks reset) – Red Souls – Mysteries of Kyoto and Chance Encounters progress
So your combat power and consumable infrastructure persist, but the gear grind restarts, which keeps Carnage dangerous. Remember that Carnage locks in once selected: you can’t lower it mid-run (see our difficulty guide). Clearing it awards the Bishamonten Sword and the two Gold trophies, and the full Platinum takes roughly 60 to 70 hours across a minimum of two playthroughs.
Suggested Route for Completionists
- First run on Action, playing side content as it appears.
- At The Clash at Rendaino warning, finish what you care about, then take the finale.
- Use post-credits Continue to sweep leftovers.
- Start NG+ on Carnage for the Gold trophies with your stacked skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the game warn me before the point of no return? Yes, explicitly, at The Clash at Rendaino.
Can I keep playing after the ending? Via Continue, which restores you to just before the final mission with all progress.
Do I need two playthroughs for the Platinum? Minimum two: one normal clear to unlock Carnage, then the Carnage run with all boss rematches on that difficulty.
Does difficulty matter for the first run’s trophies? No. Only the Carnage trophies are difficulty-locked.