Standard Edition: PlayStation ($59.99) | Xbox ($59.99) | Windows ($59.99) | Nintendo Switch ($59.99)
Digital Deluxe Edition: PlayStation ($69.99) | Xbox ($69.99) | Windows ($69.99)
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles[a], an action-adventure fighting game, was meticulously crafted by CyberConnect2, a renowned developer in the gaming industry. Drawing its inspiration from the 2019 anime rendition of Koyoharu Gotouge's acclaimed manga series, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, this game emerged under the publishing banner of Aniplex in Japan. Its global distribution, spearheaded by Sega, extended its reach to various platforms including PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, with an initial launch in October 2021. Following this widespread release, the game was subsequently made available to Nintendo Switch users in June 2022.
Gameplay
The game is a 3D fighting game that follows the story of the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba anime series. Players can choose to play as one of the main characters from the anime, including Tanjiro Kamado, Nezuko Kamado, Zenitsu Agatsuma, and Inosuke Hashibira. Each character has their own unique moveset and fighting style.
The gameplay is similar to other fighting games, such as Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat. Players can perform a variety of attacks, including punches, kicks, and special moves. They can also block attacks and dodge attacks. The goal of the game is to defeat the opponent by knocking them out or reducing their health to zero.
In addition to the story mode, the game also has a variety of other modes, such as a versus mode, a training mode, and a challenge mode. The versus mode allows players to fight against each other locally or online. The training mode allows players to practice their combos and learn the different characters' movesets. The challenge mode offers a variety of challenges that players can complete to earn rewards.
Overall, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles is a fun and action-packed fighting game that is sure to please fans of the anime series. The gameplay is smooth and responsive, and the graphics are impressive. The story mode is well-done, and the other modes offer plenty of replayability.
Characters
The initial release of the game featured a roster of 18 distinctive characters, prominently showcasing six iconic personas from the derivative anime series, "Chuukou Ikkan!! Kimetsu Gakuen Monogatari." Subsequently, the game experienced an expansion through downloadable content, introducing an augmentation of 13 more characters, culminating in an impressive ensemble of 31 playable avatars.
Tanjiro Kamado
Nezuko Kamado
Giyu Tomioka
Zenitsu Agatsuma
Inosuke Hashibira
Kyojuro Rengoku
Shinobu Kocho
Tengen Uzui
Sakonji Urokodaki
Makomo
Sabito
Murata
Rui (DLC)
Akaza (DLC)
Yushiro & Tamayo (DLC)
Enmu (DLC)
Susamaru (DLC)
Yahaba (DLC)
Daki (Paid DLC)
Gyutaro (Paid DLC)
Hinokami Tanjiro Kamado
Academy Tanjiro Kamado
Academy Nezuko Kamado
Academy Zenitsu Agatsuma
Academy Inosuke Urokodaki
Academy Giyu Tomioka
Academy Shinobu Kocho
Nezuko Kamado (Awakened Form) (Paid DLC)
Tanjiro Kamado (Entertainment District Arc) (Paid DLC)
Zenitsu Agatsuma (Entertainment District Arc) (Paid DLC)
Inosuke Hashibira (Entertainment District Arc) (Paid DLC)
Development
The unveiling of "Kimetsu no Yaiba: Hinokami Keppūtan" occurred in March 2020, with Aniplex taking on the role of publisher for the PlayStation 4 platform. Notably, Aniplex had previously overseen the production of the anime adaptation in 2019. The inaugural glimpse of the game arrived later that same month, accompanied by an announcement that the game's development would be entrusted to CyberConnect2, renowned for its work on the "Naruto: Ultimate Ninja" series.
In the ensuing span of development, an updated revelation about the game emerged via the pages of Weekly Shōnen Jump, revealing a shift in its scope. The "Hinokami Keppūtan" project transformed into a versatile arena fighting game, primed for release on multiple platforms including PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Ufotable, the animation powerhouse behind the anime, contributed pivotal illustrations to the game's visual landscape.
Post-launch, "The Hinokami Chronicles" welcomed a trio of complimentary DLC expansions, each featuring a pair of fresh characters. The initial expansion, unveiled in October 2021 and subsequently launched in November 2021, introduced Akaza and Rui as the inaugural antagonistic characters available for play. In a subsequent development, an Additional Character Pack was introduced in 2022, endowing the game with seven characters from the Entertainment District Arc, available as premium DLC. A notable addition to the game's availability was the release of a Nintendo Switch version, first debuting in Japan on June 9, 2022, and making its global debut the following day.
Plot
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles presents an immersive fighting game experience closely mirroring the narrative of the anime's first season, as well as incorporating elements from the Mugen Train movie. In the game's solo-player story mode, we follow the journey of Tanjiro Kamado, the central figure of the series, as he embarks on a profound mission within the Demon Slayer Corps. His quest involves confronting an array of demons with the ultimate goal of reversing the transformation that has afflicted his sister, Nezuko, turning her into a demon.
The narrative unfolds with Tanjiro's heart-wrenching discovery upon his return home after a charcoal-selling venture, only to be met with the gruesome aftermath of his family's massacre and Nezuko's tragic metamorphosis. Fueled by a resolute desire for vengeance and the restoration of Nezuko's humanity, Tanjiro resolves to join the ranks of the Demon Slayers, propelling himself on a transformative odyssey.
Throughout his arduous journey, Tanjiro crosses paths with a diverse cadre of fellow Demon Slayers, including Zenitsu Agatsuma, Inosuke Hashibira, and Giyu Tomioka. His encounters extend to formidable demon adversaries, such as Rui, Enmu, and Akaza, among others, each punctuating his passage with intense battles of survival and self-discovery.
Tanjiro's evolution is underpinned by his gradual understanding of the enigmatic realm of demons and the intricate mechanisms of the Demon Slayer Corps. In parallel, his self-awareness deepens, as he unearths latent reserves of inner strength. The culmination of his journey culminates in a pivotal confrontation with Akaza, culminating in Nezuko's salvation.
The narrative's progression is effectively communicated through a dynamic interplay of meticulously crafted cutscenes and demanding boss encounters. These cutscenes effectively capture the essence of the anime series, fortifying the contextual foundation for the game's events. The boss battles, distinguished by their challenging nature, demand players to harness their full skillset in vanquishing the formidable demons.
Complementing the narrative-rich story mode, the game boasts a multifaceted array of gameplay modes, including a competitive versus mode and a skill-refining training mode. The versus mode caters to both interpersonal and AI-based combat engagements, while the training mode affords players the opportunity to refine their combo prowess and master novel techniques.
"Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles" not only pays reverent homage to its anime progenitor but also excels as a visually arresting creation. The cel-shaded graphics exude an exquisite aesthetic appeal, elevating the visual dimension of the gameplay. For enthusiasts of the anime series and those seeking an exhilarating fighting game experience, "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles" stands as an undeniable recommendation worthy of exploration.
Reception
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles garnered a range of reviews spanning from 'mixed or average' to 'generally favorable,' as evaluated by the review aggregation platform, Metacritic. While the Xbox Series X/S rendition was met with 'generally favorable' feedback, the PlayStation 4 iteration of the game achieved significant commercial success, emerging as the bestselling retail game in Japan during its inaugural week of launch. Impressively, this version managed to amass a noteworthy 94,849 physical copies sold. The PlayStation 5 adaptation also exhibited substantial traction, selling 20,187 copies during the same debut week and securing the position of the second bestselling retail game within the nation's market.
The game's popularity continued to surge, culminating in global sales figures of over 1.32 million copies by December of 2021. Subsequently, its market presence and consumer appeal further expanded, reaching a remarkable milestone of over 3 million copies sold worldwide by March of 2023.
The critical reception of "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles" varied across different platforms, as documented by the aggregate score on Metacritic. Notably, the PlayStation 4 version garnered a score of 70/100, while the PlayStation 5 adaptation attained a slightly lower score of 69/100. In contrast, the Xbox Series X/S version received a more favorable evaluation with a score of 82/100, and the Nintendo Switch edition acquired a score of 74/100.
Amongst the reviews from various publications, diverse opinions emerged. Destructoid assessed the game with a score of 6.5/10, while Famitsu awarded it a cumulative score of 33/40. IGN, on the other hand, bestowed a score of 7/10 upon the title. Notably, Jeuxvideo.com appraised the PlayStation 5 iteration with a score of 13/20 and the Nintendo Switch version with a score of 14/20. Nintendo World Report was notably positive, awarding a score of 8.5/10. Shacknews joined the conversation with a score of 7/10.
It is evident that "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles" garnered a spectrum of reviews, with some variations in appreciation and critique across different platforms and publications.
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