The second installment of Kimetsu no Yaiba: The Hinokami Chronicles arrives with the aim of consolidating Kimetsu no Yaiba As a stable franchise within the anime fighting genre. Although its proposal is still accessible and visually spectacular, this sequel strives to offer more content and game modes than the previous one, without moving too far from the established formula. Developed by the Japanese studio cyberconnect2 and distributed by segaWill he be able to overcome what his predecessor began?
Kimetsu no Yaiba is back
After receiving Kimetsu no Yaiba: The Hinokami Chronicles In 2021, a game that, while limited in modes, offered impeccable visual recreation of the anime, cyberconnect2 Come back with a sequel looking to expand that formula. The Hinokami Chronicles 2 It is presented as a direct continuation both in the narrative and in the playable, preserving the accessible style of combat, but adding more characters, new modes and a journey through some of the most intense arcs of the series. Although it does not break with the bases of the original, it tries to refine its proposal to deliver a more complete experience for fans.
The progress and the feedback who received the study after criticism of the first game, since it was perceived as quite lacking in content and soul. It felt more like a pretext to introduce the popular anime into a market as big as video games. Well, this doesn’t seem to be the case.. Kimetsu no Yaiba: The Hinokami Chronicles 2 It shines with its own light thanks to its extensive template, how beautiful it is, and its funny story, completely attached to those seen in the recent arcs of Japanese animation..
History: From the Red District to the Infinite Castle
The main campaign takes up the story just where the first title stayed. The arches are covered Entertainment District, Blacksmith Village and Hashira Training. The game is divided into 8 chapters, where you will have to go through what has already been seen in the anime. The objective of each mission will be to fight with the well-known final bosses. There will be side missions in all the chapters, however, they rarely bring anything meaningful to the experience.
Of course, the study was very careful in the introduction of kinematics, since they are very well achieved and capture the dramatic essence of the series. But once again, cyberconnect2 She sins of what she is constantly criticized in the games she develops. The narrative is built through these kinematic constants that accompany each chapter and after each important fight, and it downplays the importance of building it through gameplay and exploration.
Gameplay: The juiciest of Demon Slayer
The fighting system remains true to what was stated in the first game: third-person combat in closed environments, with two characters per team and a simple control scheme based on light, heavy, special attacks and a definitive technique. The pace is fast, and everything is designed so that even those who are not familiar with fighting games can enjoy it. The study demonstrates mastery once again in the development of anime-based peel games.
The difficulty is another point to highlight in this history of Kimetsu no Yaiba. In Story mode it is not possible to alter the difficulty, so facing larger challenges like the final bosses gives it a fun touch. It’s not overly difficult for veterans, but if you’re a novice in these kinds of titles, it might cost you a couple more attempts to end the battles.
Another of the most notorious changes is the inclusion of an equipment system called gear, which allows you to slightly modify the performance of the characters in combat. Up to three objects can be carried in which statistics such as energy regeneration, poison resistance or recovery speed can be carried. Although the system does not radically transform the experience, it does add a touch of strategy to the selection of characters and the preparation for certain challenges.
new modes
In addition, new modes are included that extend the life of the game. The most prominent is training paths, a mode by stages with a semiroguelike structure, where different challenges are faced with specific conditions. Here aesthetic rewards and improvements that encourage repetition are unlocked. Another addition is Path of a Demon Slayer, which allows you to relive key combats of the first game without having to go through its entire history again, which is ideal both for those who did not play the original and for those who want to relive certain moments.
Despite having these new modes, the main story is relatively short if you focus only on the main missions. With an approximate duration of between 6 to 8 hours, counting the numerous kinematics. This does not mean that it is necessarily a bad thing. It is a story that portrays what is seen in the anime that is going to the point. But the duration of Kimetsu no Yaiba: The Hinokami Chronicles 2 It is incalculable to be a title focused on fights. especially considering that it has local and online combat modes.
Another aspect that makes it a replayable title is the possibility of leveling the characters, which in the eyes of the complete people becomes attractive. In addition, you can unlock aesthetic elements that encourage you to continue exploring the game further.
the huge template in Kimetsu no Yaiba: The Hinokami Chronicles 2
The squad of characters is considerably broader than in the previous installment. the nine Hashira are now available, along with other iconic characters from Kimetsu no Yaiba. This increase in the variety of styles and skills helps make the games in versus more dynamic, although the balance can still be tuned.
One of the main complaints of the first title was the limited number of his squad. This time, the initial roster includes More than 40 characters, with the nine Hashira available from the start, in addition to variants of the protagonists and several important antagonists. Each character has their own final techniques and animations, helping to differentiate combat styles and brings variety in versus games.
However, although the diversity of characters is welcome, the balance still has ups and downs. Some fighters clearly dominate over others, and in the more serious competitive environment this could generate frustration. This is notorious in the speed of reactions of some characters, such as Uzui or tokito, while others have heavier or slower movements. However, for the general public, the imbalance does not affect too much and the game is still enjoyable in casual games.
Technical aspect
Visually, the game based on Kimetsu no Yaiba It remains one of the most faithful to anime in terms of artistic style. The cel shading is well applied, the attack animations are spectacular and the key scenes retain the atmosphere of the original material. The effects of particles, lighting and special movements provide a strong cinematic sense.
cyberconnect2 He has a lot of experience implementing extremely striking combat, in semicircular, fluid environments and with impressive speed. There were no falling frames or situations where the graphic section had some defect, at least during the battles.
However, the scenarios Kimetsu no Yaiba Those you go through during the short exploration leave a lot to be desired. They are generic, repetitive and contrast a lot with how well cared for the characters are. Where there was pop-in it was here. As the playable characters progressed, It was notorious how certain elements of the map suddenly stood out. This may be due to issues of the graphics engine, and it does not hinder the game experience, but it is important to mention it in a title where the visual is something fundamental and that is based on an anime so popular because of the care that is taken in its animations.
As for sound and music, pieces that we hear in the anime are present, but they are not something that stands out especially in moments of more drama. Nor is the mixture of sound in the combats something that allows them to increase the emotion in them. On the other hand, it is pleasant and endearing to listen to the original actors and voice actresses..
conclusion of Kimetsu no Yaiba: The Hinokami Chronicles 2
Generally speaking, Kimetsu no Yaiba: The Hinokami Chronicles 2 It is a title that delivers exactly what is expected of him: a visually impressive experience, accessible and focused on reliving key moments of the anime. It is not a deep fighting game nor does it seek to be. It is, above all, an interactive celebration of the work of Koyoharu Gotouge and the adaptation made with mastery by the studio Ufotable. For fans of the series, it is an enjoyable experience. For those looking for a complex combat system or a more ambitious narrative, it can fall short.
