Muzan Kibutsuji awaits us as we refine our breaths and postures in this new adventure.
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Titles inspired by recognized anime are not something unusual in the world of video games; on the contrary, they are often an excellent starting point that allows us to enjoy those stories that excite us and that we want to relive in a more interactive format.
In this context, we receive a well-deserved sequel: Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2, which arrives at an opportune moment, coinciding with the premiere of the movie that marks the beginning of the Infinite Castle Arc.
This leads us to an analysis that will allow us to explore everything this game has to offer and, at the same time, assess whether it lives up to the legacy of Tanjiro, Nezuko, and their companions.
Technical Section
It’s time to delve into the technical section, which, like in the first installment, is once again one of the main attractions of this sequel. In this sense, it will not disappoint anyone. The characteristic cel shading style continues to be fundamental in bringing this world to life.
As expected, we find notable improvements, since several years have passed since we first saw Tanjiro and company in the original game. More detailed textures, better lighting, and environments with greater visual richness are appreciated, although the latter continue to be not particularly elaborate.
In fact, the scenarios are the most questionable aspect of the game, as they are quite simple, both indoors and outdoors. On the other hand, the animations are very fluid, something that is especially reflected in the cinematics, which reproduce with great fidelity what is seen in the anime, which is a great success.
It is also worth highlighting that the movements and special attacks are spectacular, a delight for fans of this story. At many times, they seem to be taken directly from the anime, and that is greatly appreciated, as it keeps the unique essence of Demon Slayer intact.
Although, in general, everything seems correct, the game suffers from some drops in frames per second, and in certain moments, an instability is perceived that is difficult to understand, especially considering that it is not a title that is particularly demanding in technical terms. It is to be expected that it will be corrected with future updates.
Gameplay
One of the aspects that fascinates us the most when enjoying a video game is its gameplay, the way we connect with the story and the mechanics it offers. In this case, we talk about a story that has achieved a solid base of followers, among which I include myself.
The game features several modes, ranging from local multiplayer, where we unlock characters for friendly matches, to the inevitable online mode, where we can test our skills. It also includes a training option with the Pillars, as well as the story mode, which, in my opinion, is the best treated of all.
In Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2, as a good fan, you will probably start with the story mode, where you will go through several narrative arcs. These take place after what happened in the Infinite Train and lead us to live a narrative already known to those who follow the anime.
We will accompany Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu on their odyssey, which begins in the Entertainment District Arc, continues in the Swordsmith Village, and culminates in the Pillars’ Training. All this serves as a prelude to the final arc of the Infinite Castle, which can be enjoyed soon in theaters.
As already occurred in the previous installment, —and it’s no surprise for anyone—, we are facing an arena fighter, in which, as we advance, different enemies will be presented to us that we must face. It’s a system similar to that of titles like My Hero Academia or Naruto.
We will move in delimited areas, fighting to unlock new animated scenes and continue progressing in the story. The challenges will include everything from minor enemies to confrontations against the feared Upper Moons, so it will be essential to master the combat system well.
A key help in each confrontation is the improvement system, which allows us to level up characters and apply improvements to objects as we progress. Additionally, the game includes exploration sections and secondary missions, although not everything revolves around combat.
Unfortunately, this is where the game falters the most: exploration feels uninspired, and secondary missions seem like mere filler to extend the duration. Nevertheless, the title fulfills its purpose, especially for fanservice, which is guaranteed and will delight fans when they see the key scenes of each arc recreated.
It’s not a game that stands out for the depth of its gameplay, but rather should be seen as a global experience. That, in reality, is something positive, as it offers an acceptable balance if we leave aside the less successful elements.
To unlock all the content and useful characters in other modes, it is necessary to complete the campaign. There are around 40 characters available, although, being honest, some of them are simply variants of others that already exist.
In any case, it’s a fun game, with characters, movements, and animations that, together, offer a more than satisfactory experience, whether you’re a fan of Demon Slayer or not. In summary, we are facing a correct title that fulfills its promise.
Duration
Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2 is a game that goes straight to the point, and if you’re a big fan of the series, you won’t find it complicated to complete the main story in less than 8 hours, and even in much less time.
However, the title offers other modes that invite you to return to continue enjoying. Online combat or local multiplayer are sufficient incentives to continue exploring each character and, at the same time, enjoy an experience that will satisfy both demons and hunters. In any case, there’s a lot to discover.
Conclusion
Anime adaptations to video games are already a common thing. And although not all of them manage to live up to the original stories, this is not the case with Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2, which, despite some stumbles, fulfills its objective of offering a satisfactory experience.
This is an adventure that puts us right where we should be, close to the conclusion of Demon Slayer with the arrival of the Infinite Castle Arc. It does so correctly and respecting the lore surrounding our protagonists, something that is appreciated to CyberConnect2 for having achieved it once again.
It is true that it presents some irregularities, but they are not serious enough to not recommend the game, especially if you are a fan of this story. Fun, characters, action, and everything necessary to prepare for the final battle: all this is possible, and also on your Xbox.
Thanks to Koch Media for providing the code to carry out this game analysis.
Video game, Xbox, PC and Nintendo Switch enthusiast. Frank is one of the most active video game news writers on the web. He covers absolutely every topic. In terms of games reviewed, as of 2024 he has already passed the 60 mark and his average score, according to Open Critic is 80.
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