It's an easy premise that's as typical as a shonen could possibly get, but it's the characters and moments of major development that stand out here alongside the excellent animation work. All of the hallmark moments are given great respect, most of which either receive gorgeously animated cutscenes or the eye-catching quick time events that CyberConnect2 executes so well. There are also optional vignettes you can unlock throughout the levels that further flesh out the story, which act as a terrific way to get caught up newcomers on the characters and world events that do not get explored in as much detail. The Mount Nagumo and Mugen Train arcs in particular are handled brilliantly, and fans will no doubt enjoy reliving these moments again. It's not at all the definitive method to experience the initial leg of Tanjiro's and Nezuko's journey, but it is all killer, no filler, and I'm positive that is what most players will want.
If you’ve played any one of CyberConnect2’s previous titles, The Hinokami Chronicles will feel totally familiar. You've got a standard combo that is done by mashing light attack and could be further changed with a directional input. These may lead to air combos or hard knockdowns, and are your primary way of squeezing out damage. Each character also offers three unique special attacks that have an array of uses. While you take and deal damage, you build meter for Ultimate Techniques, and a Burst mode. You can also call in your partner for offensive and defensive assist actions or to tag out and play as them.
It’s an incredibly simple combat system that gets a little deeper using the inclusion of the high-risk, high reward parry mechanic, but it’s by no means the new gold standard for fighting games. What stands out probably the most is the flashy animations and particle effects that really deliver an event that appears and feels how you would want a Demon Slayer game to provide itself. It truly offers the power fantasy and player experience of what it really would be like to be a demon slayer, and playing your favourite characters only empowers this.
Most of the story mode is played by moving through small open spaces in the series. Each area is largely linear there isn’t much room for exploration, leaving it feeling extremely surface level and lacking any real purpose. There are some collectibles scattered about for extra unlockable content, however the areas mostly function as a means to fight demons and progress the storyline. Each playable chapter takes place in these zones, as you progress, you’ll more often than not fight demons and eventually take part in someone else in charge fight. There are quite a few regular demons to battle in each chapter, even though it never gets truly stale, some repetition does set in before you get to the boss. The boss fights are often the highlight of every chapter, each one of these providing a new challenge and experience different from the last. They’re more complex than just the simple hacking and slashing you receive used to against regular demons and supply a refreshing change of pace. They sometimes result in flashy quick time events, even though I’m not often a fan, I can’t deny that these are excellently animated and satisfying to drag off.
If there’s one thing that CyberConnect2 always nails, it’s translating the aesthetic of anime to a video game world. The Hinokami Chronicles is offered exactly the same treatment, with beautiful 3D character models, environments and cutscenes that stand alongside the caliber of the anime instead of attempting to live up to it. All sorts of things a game that’s always a goody to check out, with vivid colours which trademark Demon Slayer flair that drew so many in to start with. Performance can also be rock solid here, and I encountered nothing when it comes to bugs, making for a polished experience with great production values.
THE PS5 VERSION OF THIS GAME WAS PLAYED FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS REVIEW. An electronic COPY OF THE GAME WAS PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER.
