Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2: Slaying Demons and Frame Rates
A tale of epic battles, stunning visuals, and the occasional online hiccup
Launch Day Larry
In the world of gaming sequels, “Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2” stands as a testament to the age-old adage: if it ain’t broke, add more demons. This latest installment takes the foundation laid by its predecessor and builds upon it with a combat system that feels as fluid as a river and as strategic as a game of chess—if chess involved swords and flashy ultimate moves.
Gameplay: Combos, Characters, and a Dash of Chaos
The gameplay in “The Hinokami Chronicles 2” is like a well-oiled machine, albeit one that occasionally throws a wrench into the works. The combat system has been upgraded to allow for more fluid and strategic combos, with the ability to seamlessly integrate heavy attacks and cancel them with jumps or dodges. This flexibility is further enhanced by a new mechanic for slayers, enabling players to switch characters mid-combo, adding a layer of depth that would make even the most seasoned Dark Souls veteran nod in approval.
Offline modes offer a buffet of options, from survival mode to the new TeamVs Mode, which allows for 4v4 matches with friends. However, the lack of difficulty settings and the relatively easy AI might leave some players yearning for a more challenging experience. Meanwhile, the story mode is a significant upgrade, offering an engaging narrative with mini-games that provide a refreshing change of pace.
Yet, the online mode is where things get a bit dicey. The delay-based net-code can lead to connection issues, and certain character throws have been known to cause disconnections, particularly on PC. Plus, the inability to use multiple characters in online mode is a limitation that feels like a missed opportunity.
Graphics: A Visual Feast with a Side of Frame Rate Jitters
Visually, “The Hinokami Chronicles 2” is a feast for the eyes, with graphics that are a huge step up from the first game. The character designs and animations are fluid and smooth, capturing the essence of the anime with stunning and flashy visuals. The ultimate moves are presented as full cinematic scenes, adding an epic feel to battles that is more engaging than the quick flashes typical of other anime games.
However, not all that glitters is gold. Some character models reportedly use incorrect materials, affecting visual consistency, and there are pacing issues in story cinematics that might disrupt the narrative flow. Additionally, performance issues such as inconsistent frame rates can lead to a choppy or laggy experience at times. But let’s be honest, when the visuals are this good, a few hiccups are forgivable.
Story: A Demon-Slaying Saga with a Few Missing Pages
The story mode in “The Hinokami Chronicles 2” is a significant improvement over its predecessor, offering a fun, engaging, and immersive narrative that captures about 90% of the anime’s content. Players can relive and participate in favorite scenes from the anime arcs, with the story mode being a standout feature that contributes to the game’s overall appeal.
The game introduces a more explorable and interactive story mode, with a notable increase in the number of characters from 18 to 40, adding depth and variety to the gameplay. However, some parts of the story are missing, such as the Upper Moon meeting, and there are odd animations in some story parts that might detract from the overall experience. Despite these shortcomings, the story mode is well-received, with the cinematic excellence and stunning visuals enhancing the storytelling experience.
Final Verdict
“Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2” is a worthy sequel that builds upon the strengths of its predecessor while addressing many of its weaknesses. The gameplay is fantastic, the graphics are stunning, and the story mode is a major improvement. While there are some technical issues, particularly with online play, the enhancements in combat and story mode make it a worthwhile experience for fans of the series. Just be prepared for the occasional online hiccup.
Score: 8.0/10