In Kunitsu-Gami: Path Of The Goddess a demon that appears like a large abdomen with a giant purple tongue popping out of it seems out of a portal at evening and tries to ensnare a mountain village in evil power. I strike him down however extra waves of enemies observe, every snaking alongside completely different routes to try to get to the Maiden Yoshiro whose divine powers are the one factor that may cleanse the shadows. Some village archers decide off a pair whereas others get caught on a gate. One other group of conscripted locals assault with axes, sluggish the enemies’ advances with auras, or heal each other with medicines. It’s basic tower protection offered in a really novel approach, and I’ve a tough time placing it down when my appointment ends.
Considered one of a number of video games Capcom offered at a Summer season Recreation Fest’s adjoining Play Days occasion for hands-on protection, Kunitsu-Gami: Path Of The Goddess is a mashup of horde mode technique, motion fight, and Japanese folklore offered dutifully however vibrantly throughout PlayStation 5, Xbox Collection X/S, and PC, in addition to the last-gen consoles. Made by the corporate’s Improvement Division 1, which incorporates the Resident Evil and Satan Might Cry groups, Kunitsu-Gami can also be coming to Recreation Go when it launches on July 19, making it Capcom’s 2024 subscription service successor to final 12 months’s dino shooter Exoprimal.
In contrast to that one, although, Kunitsu-Gami isn’t a live-service sport. As an alternative it’s a extra conventional single-player motion technique sport that revolves round cleaning a mountain of evil spirits as you, enjoying because the warrior Soh, information Yoshiro throughout every stage so she will be able to full a closing ritual. A day-night cycle signifies that time is at all times shifting if you’re not navigating menus and ordering comrades round. Gamers put together for the onslaught by rescuing villagers, killing possessed animals, and gathering spirt orbs which can be the sport’s forex for managing recruitments, upgrades, and buildings.
When evening falls monsters, known as the Seethe, come out of randomly positioned gates to attempt to assault the Maiden and finish her journey. If that occurs, it’s sport over. However guiding Yoshiro farther alongside every stage requires blazing a path together with your spirit orbs, expending forex that may’t be used in your defenses. The result’s a intelligent rigidity between making an attempt to get her by means of the extent as quick as potential and making an attempt to take your time to construct up your defenses. Take too lengthy and also you may get punished for it. After every nighttime the subsequent wave of enemies will get progressively stronger. Whereas there’s no time restrict, dawdling can price you.
However defending her isn’t only a matter of simply positioning your restricted variety of class-based companions on every stage and using the terrain, traps, and different constructions to your benefit, it’s additionally about fight. Following a “Dancing Swords” combating type, Soh completes combos by linking collectively sturdy and weak assaults that enhance the facility of his assaults whereas additionally serving to him transfer across the battlefield gracefully and effectively. There’s a stamina system, a dodge roll to get out of the best way of enemies’ assaults, a guard gauge that may be damaged, and a particular energy that can be utilized upon increase a meter to unleash extra lethal strikes. It’s not full Satan Might Cry, which among the builders additionally labored on, but it surely controls crisply and feels satisfying sufficient that Kunitsu-Gami doesn’t undergo the traditional intermittent doldrums of another tower protection video games, particularly in boss fights the place it’s important to not simply fear about surviving but additionally ending the combat earlier than Yoshiro will get killed.
The place the complexity is available in, and what makes me excited to return to Kunitsu-Gami as soon as it’s out subsequent month, is in how assorted loadouts and maps appear to get afterward. As you full ranges you acquire new gear that may be swapped out for sure bonuses that additionally come at a price, like stronger assaults alongside taking extra injury, providing the potential to offer gamers the trade-off administration of upgrades in a roguelike. You can even unlock new courses in your allies as you go, and earn assets that can be utilized to decide on how they’re upgraded earlier than going out into battle once more. A consultant from Capcom declined to remark however grinned after I requested if Soh would get to vary weapon sorts through the sport, so there is perhaps that to look ahead to as nicely.
As an action-strategy nerd, Kunitsu-Gami ticked all the appropriate packing containers for me. It’s unimaginable to know from a 30-minute demo if it could hold ramping up its complexity and problem in a good and rewarding approach throughout the entire sport, however the slice I performed confirmed quite a lot of promise.
