It’s easy to forget just how much Demon Slayer exploded. What started as a relatively straightforward manga adaptation transformed into one of the most successful anime franchises of the last decade, thanks in no small part to ufotable’s immaculate visuals, hauntingly tragic characters, and that rare ability to swing between emotional devastation and electric spectacle in a heartbeat. The first Hinokami Chronicles game from CyberConnect2 got part of that right. It was flashy, heartfelt, and deeply reverent of its source material, even if it occasionally felt like it was playing it too safe.
With Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2, that feeling is not as prevalent, but still there. While the game overall is smoother and more confident this time around, it still feels unwilling to take many risks. The fighting is better, the story mode is more focused for better or worse, and the character roster is bigger. But when that’s all said and done, this sequel feels... Read more