As Capcom readies Way of the Sword for next year, there’s never been a better time to get into Onimusha. To make that transition from newcomer to fanatic as easy as possible, the Japanese publisher has brought back what many consider to be the franchise’s current peak: Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny.

Just as it did six years ago with Onimusha Warlords, Capcom has provided a PS4 remaster in what is probably the most basic form possible. This is essentially the original PS2 experience as you remember it, except with HD visuals, an ever-so-slightly more modern control scheme, and a smattering of bonuses like a gallery, hell mode difficulty option, and also auto-save functionality.

This is a remaster more about getting the title playable on modern hardware than properly enhancing it on PS5, so it comes with all the same issues as other early PS2 efforts. This includes a very frustrating camera that can easily get you turned around as you transition from one camera angle to the next, strange controls (despite the modernisation), and basic combat.

The voice acting is also amusingly bad, but it adds to the charm of a game that’s still just about worth playing. With a new protagonist in Jubei, the sequel retains what was great about the first game and expands on it with an item gifting system that opens up extra cutscenes and characters depending on who you interact with. This makes the roughly ten-hour campaign worth playing over again, and the extra characters you briefly get to play as bring some nice variety to the experience.

Faithfully restoring the PS2 original with some very simple modern improvements, this is a way to play Onimusha 2 how you think you remember it looking and playing, rather than how it actually was in 2002. Returning fans will get a kick out of the special gallery, built-in soundtrack player, and quality of life enhancements that make minigames and costumes available from the start.

Even with the baggage of its PS2 origins, Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny is a welcome trip down memory lane.