New to the Toukiden series, the element of Control is also empowered by Mitama, which specialises in summoning Oni to fight for the player. Mitama grow and develop during battles. In order to increase the levels of your Boosts, you must meet the upgrade conditions of each Boost and have sufficient proficiency with them. The upgrade conditions differ for each Mitama and Boost. Each Mitama can learn up to nine Boosts, but you can only equip three of them at a time.

• World exploration has shifted to be open world. Hunting grounds from previous games return with alterations. Certain sections of the world map will be locked depending on the player's progression with the main story; destinations may also be marked when fulfilling requests. Mahoroba Village serves as the game's new primary hub,day and night system.
• The protagonist's spare inventory and setups can be accessed from chests scattered across the world map.
• Players can raise multiple Tenko and give them names. If well-cared for, they will occasionally find items and follow the protagonist.
• Combat has been altered to be seamless encounters that happen anywhere in the field.
• "Demon Hand" is a new secondary feature for traveling and fighting giant demons. The invention can hook onto objects or minor demons to quickly close distances or destroy obstacles. Against giant demons it can do the following: stun them, lock onto a specific body part or completely obliterate a demon's body part(s). This feature is controlled via touchscreen in the Vita version.
• Slayers have a new faster running ability
• Automatons are deployed to scavenge for items in different locations, though they may receive damage upon returning. Damaged automatons can be repaired or made stronger by augmenting them with various materials.
• Using the Professor's research facility allows players to craft better materials from item drops. Adding more materials increases the crafting's success rate.
• A miasma gauge appears when entering corrupted areas. If this gauge is completely filled, the player character will perish. End miasma by cutting down the demon within the cursed stone