Capcom just released its most exciting effort since Street Fighter 6 last year. Though it has a cumbersome name and a somewhat baffling mix of genres, Kunitsu-Gami: Path of The Goddess is the only thing that has torn me away from Shadow of The Erdtree all summer.
I try not to be one to judge a book by its cover, but just watching this game’s reveal through trailers and previews had me awe struck. Kunitsu-Gami‘s aesthetic is rich in Japanese folklore and dance. The motion and movements of its core duo: The samurai Soh and the shrine maiden Yoshiro, are so beautifully animated that I am as happy taking a backseat to my daughter as I am playing it myself. Few games have helped me understand the appeal of watching Twitch streams, and Kunitsu-Gami may be the strongest Aha! moment in that space I’ve ever had.
Soh’s attack patterns, the dance rituals performed by Yoshiro, and the subtle movements baked into even the smallest of hand gestures show so much care in the crafting of this game. And it extends to the environment and villains as well. Throughout the game, the player is attempting to win back a mountainside that has been overrun by the Seethe, a race of demons born out of human greed. Soh and Yoshiro work day and night to reorganize the communities these monsters have scattered across the mountain and cleanse each village of the Seethe.
That last point is another great feature of this game. Kunitsu-Gami‘s blend of genres tie it to some of Capcom’s most wonderfully weird games. Its tight, hack-and-slash combat throw back to Onimusha. The goal of restoring beauty to a natural landscape make it a descendent of Okami (which our own David Lasby is due to play!), and its simple and satisfying upgrade path and gameplay loop give Devil May Cry energy, despite resembling that series the least. Most importantly, all of this visual splendor is backed up by some of the most unique takes on base building, tower defense, and MoBA elements I’ve ever seen. I mean, if I’m not convincing you to give it a look, just let this final pre-release video have a couple minutes of your day.
Are you playing Kunitsu-Gami? If not, give it a try! It is a rare PS5 game offering a demo. If so, tell us how you’re fairing down in the comments or over at the Boss Rush Discord.
Featured Image: Capcom
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