Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2 Review

CyberConnect2 used to be praised for how well they made movies with the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm series, but fans have been harsh on them over the last few years. A lot of anime game fans were let down when games like Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections came out before they were fully finished. 

Many people thought that the once-loved developer had lost its spark, with its signature style being overwhelmed by poor execution. When Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2 was first revealed, there was a lot of doubt. After all, the first game was fun, but it had a lot of bugs and no long-term material.

But now that SEGA is back on board with the project again and Demon Slayer is the most famous anime right now, CC2 was given a second chance to make things right, and they took it. This follow-up isn't just a second chance; it's one of the best anime games of the last ten years.

Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2 picks up right where the first game left off, with Tanjiro and the rest of the group jumping right into the Swordsmith Village Arc. They also go on to explore newer anime material, including scenes that are only in this game.

You can follow not only Tanjiro's journey, but also side stories with characters like Mitsuri and Muichiro, as well as flashbacks that give Genya and the Hashira more depth. The story is told through a mix of cutscenes, short in-engine pieces, and sometimes interactive parts. It's pretty much the same as watching a cartoon season.

That's gold for fans. There is a lot of high-stakes drama, heartbreaking moments, and beautiful spectacle in the new story scenes, which closely follow (and even improve) the anime schedule. The effort is still mostly going in a straight line.

You can talk to NPCs, gather memory fragments, and sometimes fight as you walk around semi-open areas like the Swordsmith Village or the Hidden Training Grounds. You know what to do: look around for a while, fight, and then watch a beautifully drawn cutscene.

But Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2 makes a big difference in how it's put together. Side quests, new hidden fights, and lore pieces that connect directly to bonus rewards like character unlocks and gallery material make exploring more fun.

There's even a little RPG-lite flavor to it—completing certain tasks in battle or moving up in ranks gives you experience points and character growth tokens that you can use to get buffs from a light skill tree.

In addition to the return of Story Mode, the Versus Mode has been significantly enlarged and now offers options for participation in both offline and online modes of play. The number of characters available to pick from has increased to almost sixty.

These characters include several iterations of Tanjiro, Nezuko (in demon form), the Upper Moons, Yoriichi, and even some entertaining non-canon characters such as variants of school uniforms. The fact that there is even a Tag Battle mode, in which the synergy points are determined by the players with whom you team up, encourages you to experiment with new things.

The combat in Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Hinokami Chronicles 2 is significantly more impressive than the combat in the original game, despite the fact that it is still an arena battle. It is now possible for any character to perform both light and heavy moves.

Not only do they have access to a skill tree that is tailored to their breathing or demon art style, but they also have access to a new counter system that penalizes spamming on the battlefield. Fights that take place in the air feel more responsive, and it is easier to move around.

It is now necessary for you to exercise control over your meters if you tag in support characters in the midst of a combo or in order to escape a difficult situation. It is not enough to simply keep spamming assists; you must also take into consideration your resources, space, and the possibility of forming a combo together.

A stun window has been added to the new Parry system as a reward for players who have good timing. Additionally, powerful finishers known as "Demon Arts Supremes" are now connected to a single Ultimate gauge that has the ability to alter the way the combat is played. What is the best? To put it simply, fighting is more enjoyable.

The process of becoming proficient in a character's moves and combos takes more time and requires more contemplation. These characters, such as Yoriichi and Daki, are not only skins; rather, they have distinctive gameplay elements that are modeled after the way they function in anime.

It is just wonderful that you paid attention to the particulars. What is the problem? It seems that the balance is still a touch wrong overall. There are some figures, such as Upper Moon One, that appear to be far more powerful than others, while others have a difficult time keeping up with them.

There are some games that serious players will find more frustrating than amusing, but this will not make the game less enjoyable. Additionally, the camera continues to freeze up on occasion when it is being used for wall fights or when the level is too narrow.

Finishing battles, performing well in matches (A- and S-rank performances give you extra experience points), and completing tasks in each chapter are all ways to earn experience points. Obtaining these experience points allows your character to advance in the game by providing them with additional health, allowing them to learn new moves, or making them less susceptible to the effects of status conditions.

Even if it isn't much of a step forward, it does make the game more enjoyable for those who enjoy the grind that comes with role-playing games. Characters that have been maxed out present a challenge in and of themselves, particularly if you intend to utilize them online with their full set of abilities.

A higher position in the online ranks will award you with additional experience points and provide you with a goal to strive for. The appearance of CC2 is still very impressive. There are some moments in the game that are just as stylish as the animation in ufotable, and the cel-shaded art style is a fantastic complement to the high-contrast style of the anime.

On the other hand, the landscapes in places like the Swordsmith Village and Upper Moon hideouts are significantly more impressive than the empty passageways that were present in the first game. These character models are animated and packed with a variety of minute characteristics. The demon blood arts and breathing methods, when displayed on the screen, seem very amazing.

With the addition of particles, lighting effects, and closing maneuvers, it looks really stunning. Regardless of whether you are engaged in combat or simply watching a scene from a novel unfold, it is a stunning sight to behold. The voice actors who appeared in the cartoon have returned, and they do an excellent job on the audio tracks translated into both English and Japanese.

Simply put, this is the reason why every scream, weep, and laugh is so potent. We get explosive combat beats and sad, melancholy melodies when we need them, thanks to the original soundtrack, which combines songs from the play with brand-new songs that are a perfect fit for the production.

Additionally, the sounds that are employed during combat have been enhanced. The severity of attacks has been increased; cuts now cut more deeply, explosions now have a more profound sound, and effects such as rain and fire are now elegantly layered. You are unable to tear your gaze away from the music that it creates.

Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2 is more than just a follow-up. It's also an apology letter, a story about forgiveness, and a fan letter all in one. CyberConnect2 has paid attention to what people have said, and it shows. The basic idea hasn't changed much, but every part of Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2 has been made better, from exploration to fighting. It feels like a fully realized cartoon fighter.

You can play this entry whether you want to learn more about the Demon Slayer story or play against other people. There are still some problems, like characters that don't get along and the odd camera tantrum, but it's the kind of follow-up that makes you look forward to what comes next. It doesn't feel like a cash-in this time. It feels like love.