Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles

Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles is an arena fighting game developed by CyberConnect2, the studio known for its work on the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm series. The game was published by Aniplex in Japan and Sega in other territories, and it was released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on October 15, 2021, with a Nintendo Switch version following later. The game received a generally positive reception, particularly for its faithful and visually stunning recreation of the source material. The game's story, presented in "Adventure Mode," allows players to relive the events of the first season of the *Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba* anime and the subsequent *Mugen Train* movie arc. This mode follows the journey of Tanjiro Kamado, a young man who becomes a demon slayer after his family is slaughtered and his younger sister, Nezuko, is turned into a demon. The narrative is presented through a series of chapters that combine exploration segments, cinematic cutscenes that recreate key moments from the anime, and boss battles. These boss fights often incorporate quick-time events, a signature feature of CyberConnect2's anime-based games. The gameplay mechanics of *The Hinokami Chronicles* are designed to be accessible to a wide range of players. In the game's "Versus Mode," players can engage in 2v2 battles both online and offline. The combat system is built around a single attack button that can be used to perform combos, which can be modified by tilting the directional stick. Each character also has a set of unique special moves that consume a portion of a meter that automatically regenerates over time. Additionally, characters can unleash powerful ultimate attacks. The game also features a variety of defensive options, such as blocking and dodging. A "Training Mode" is also available, offering a series of challenges to help players hone their skills with different characters. The initial roster of playable characters was comprised of the series' heroes, including Tanjiro Kamado (in both his standard and Hinokami Kagura forms), his sister Nezuko Kamado, and fellow demon slayers Zenitsu Agatsuma and Inosuke Hashibira. It also features several of the powerful Hashira, such as Giyu Tomioka, Kyojuro Rengoku, and Shinobu Kocho, as well as supporting characters like Sakonji Urokodaki, Sabito, and Makomo. Notably, playable demons were not included in the base game at launch but were later added as free post-launch downloadable content. These demon characters have unique mechanics, such as always fighting alone and possessing a different set of special skills. Subsequent paid DLC also expanded the roster with alternate versions of existing characters from later arcs of the story. Critically, *Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles* was praised for its impressive visuals and how closely it captures the art style and action of the anime. The story mode was highlighted as a great way for fans to experience the narrative in an interactive format. However, some critics pointed out that the gameplay, while enjoyable, did not bring many new ideas to the arena fighting genre and that the exploration segments in the adventure mode could feel somewhat lengthy. Despite some criticisms, the game was considered a success, particularly in pleasing its target audience of *Demon Slayer* fans.