Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles 2 NSP is a thrilling fighting game that immerses you in the action without letting up.

It’s clear the artists drew inspiration from the anime and manga, paying homage to Koyoharu Gotouga’s universe down to the smallest detail. I spent countless hours in camera mode, capturing fighting poses and recreating iconic scenes. Fortunately, this sequel is a significant improvement. While arena combat remains the core gameplay, combos, dodges, and counterattacks are now more refined. The new Breath Mastery system offers greater tactical possibilities by combining the use of the Breath gauge with powerful abilities.

Relive The Original Story

I was surprised by having to manage resources and attacks simultaneously, a fascinating aspect that rewards quick reflexes and careful planning. The larger roster of available characters further enhances the gameplay experience. The game brings back not only Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu, and Inosuke, but also other Pillars like Muichiro Tokito and Mitsuri Kanroji, each with their own unique fighting style. For example, playing as the Voice Pillar involves quick, rhythmic strikes, while Mitsuri’s “Breath of Love” technique allows for fluid and varied combos. Each unlockable character will challenge you to adapt, making multiplayer matches even more exciting.

Chronicles 2 continues the events of the Entertainment Zone, reliving key moments in and around the Blacksmith Village. The cinematic cutscenes are stunning, sometimes indistinguishable from the best in the anime. I must admit my heart raced during the battles against Gyoku and Hentingo. However, one problem remains: the balance between story and gameplay sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t. Some missions are incredibly engaging, immediately plunging you into epic duels against demons. Others, however, focus too much on item collection and slow open-world exploration.

Cinematic Action and Exploration

From Zenitsu’s thunderous roar to Nezuko’s brutal kicks, every special move is powerful and impressive. The game’s music also deserves praise. Ufotable’s dramatic soundtrack accompanies the entire adventure, and its crescendos during boss battles are truly thrilling. Sometimes I’d leave the main menu open to enjoy the music while making myself a cup of tea, and in those moments, I was torn between loving and hating the game. Hinokami Chronicles 2 demonstrates a strong commitment to its loyal fans by offering additional content, unlockable scenes, and subtle hints.

If you know every line of the manga, you’ll appreciate the references and illustrations. If you’re new to the series, prepare for some confusion. This game assumes you’ve read, reread, and probably memorized the Demon Slayer manga before starting, due to some errors in the skill tree. Character balance isn’t perfect, especially in Versus mode; players feel some Pillars are unbalanced compared to newer characters.