So, you have finally managed to down Yoshitsune, and beat Onimusha Way of the Sword in Action mode. If you are up for a challenge, or are platinum-hunting, there is more that the game has to offer in the NG+ cycle. Sure, you can breeze through the game once again in Action mode, but, are likely to get bored soon. So, if Carnage mode is what draws your attention, then in this article, I have put up all details of how the gameplay experience changes in this mode, as compared to what you have had so far.
What Changes in Carnage Mode
The best way that I like to think of Carnage Mode, is a test of all that you learnt in your first playthrough. Yes, the first playthrough may have looked tough at certain points – but, if you play Carnage Mode, you will soon realise that it was pretty forgiving, actually. You could miss a couple of parries, or deflects, have an imperfect fight, and still come out victorious. That, does not happen in Carnage Mode.
The enemies, right down to the common enemy mobs land hits that have wiped out big chunks of my health bar, to the extent that one or two hits from the tougher enemies have had the Retry screen appear for me. Bosses also get new moves. In addition, everyone deflects and counter attacks – so those mobs that you were tearing down easily – you might not see a lot of it in Carnage Mode.
The two biggest spikes that I would ask you to keep in mind in Carnage Mode are:
- the mid-game set of bosses – early game will not be as much of a problem. It is from mid-game, that the difficulty spike hits you, and hits you hard.
- the tough bosses like Yoshitsune, Sasaki Ganryu – 2, Dokai, get even tougher and will need absolutely top of line performance throughout the fight to stand a chance of beating them.
- The tougher enemies in the enemy mobs, are almost like mini-bosses, and nowhere will this be felt more than when you take down enemies before closing Rifts.
Having said that, the game does give you a set of tools to help you survive in Carnage Mode. Let’s look at those.
Onimusha Way of the Sword – What Carries Over in Carnage Mode
The following carries over into Carnage Mode NG+:
- All the skills that you have unlocked
- Oni Armaments
- Hozuki Pouches & any Enhancements that you may have applied
- Awakening meter
- All charms, including any upgrades that you have applied to these
- Collectibles like Genma Notes & Lion Dogs
- Outfits
So as far as combat is concerned, the game does equip you with a good set of tools to help take on the higher difficulty. The Awakening meter is a big help, so are all the skills that you unlock from the skill tree.
As far as costumes and outfits are concerned, on completing the main game, you get the classic Panda costume – something that is closely associated with Onimusha games as Issen. You also get the Panda sword, and a bamboo scabbard.
Another costume that you unlock on completing the main game is the Wataru-kun costume. Both of these are pretty distinct ones (as is easy to imagine), and give you some variety if you are looking to put in another 20-25 hours for Carnage mode.
Onimusha Way of the Sword – What Does not Carry Over in Carnage Mode
The following does not carry over in Carnage Mode NG+:
- Sword, Clothing and Gauntlet upgrades
- Upgrade materials
- Red Souls
- Spirit Mirrors
- Shops
The big thing here is health, stamina and damage starts from base zero, just as if you were beginning a new game. No upgrade materials, and no shop ready to purchase these also means that you will have to grind and explore all parts of Eastern Kyoto once again in full detail.
How Do I Prep for Carnage Mode
Practice and Explore in Action Mode is my advice for preparing for a Carnage Mode run in Onimusha. Let me explain.
Explore all nooks and crannies. Get the Oni Vision fully upgraded, don’t skimp on any item. Complete all side activities, treasure quests to get those Oni Stones and Power Stones. Farm Red Souls and ensure that you fully upgrade your Skill Tree. Upgrade the Charms & the Hozuki Pouch that you want to work with in Carnage Mode.
Practice moves that you don’t use often in combat. Too used to dodging? Practice Issen. Do you miss out deflects or fall to the blue glowing grab attacks? Practice those specific parts in Boss Rematches. A boss that you made through, but are not fully convinced you have the measure of? Again, Boss Rematches and fight that boss till you get confident.
Trust me, an hour or two spent doing the above will go a long way in reducing the pain value in Carnage Mode.
Rewards on completing Onimusha Way of the Sword in Carnage Mode
The big one here is the Bishamon Sword – a legendary one that has appeared in all Onimusha games, has history and lore attached to it, and coming specifically to combat – makes performing Issen massively easier, along with 10% extra damage.
The other big payoff is the Platinum trophy for Onimusha Way of the Sword. This is because one trophy – True Onimusha – requires you to beat the game on Carnage Mode. Another related trophy is Glutton for Punishment requires you to have defeated all bosses in Onimusha WotS in all modes in Boss Rematch. Along the way, any missed trophies in your first round can also be collected here, so that’s there.
Other than that, the rewards are mainly cosmetic – new sword skin, haori coat, outfit and costume.
