Demon Slayer Hinokami Chronicles Preview

Demon Slayer Kimetsu no Yaiba The Hinokami Chronicles is the first console adaptation of the popular series, and is highly anticipated by fans – And I recently had the opportunity to preview and play the beginning of the fighting and adventure game ahead of release.

Demon Slayer The Hinokami Chronicles is developed by CyberConnect2, the Japanese studio behind the dot hack series or the Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm series. It also recently released the JRPG Fuga Melodies of Steel on all platforms. The studio’s expertise is unmatched when it comes to adapting popular shonen manga. It was a perfect fit for Demon Slayer.

Demon Slayer Hinokami Chronicles is a 3D arena fighter, with a Story Mode recreating the original manga series. You incarnate Tanjiro and follow his adventures in 3D explorable environments, punctuated with battles against Demons.

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Demon Slayer Hinokami Chronicles preview – Adventure mode explained

The Adventure Mode of Demon Slayer Hinokami Chronicles is surprisingly big, with its stages including the main objective, and several side objectives. Using his sharp sense of smell, Tanjiro can detect blood and Demons, cleverly using the manga’s lore to add a navigation system for inexperienced players. A map is also available at all times.

Players can fully explore the environments to discover Kimetsu Points and Special Missions to unlock bonus rewards in the game. You will meet with various characters as you explore the stages, sometimes giving you a new look at the original events of the manga. Furthermore, you will unlock all the characters for the Versus Mode, which includes an Online Mode, as you progress through the Story Mode.

Lastly, the Story Mode includes boss battles against iconic Demons from the original manga. These boss battles are different from the usual duels, as the bosses have very dangerous patterns and several phases. Just like with the Breathing Styles of the Demon Slayer Corps, the key to victory will be to keenly observe your enemy while staying calm and composed, waiting for the right chances to strike.

These boss battles are ended with cool QTE sequences, which won’t punish you if you fail them, but you’ll get higher Ranks and Rewards if you do clear them.

Versus Mode has Tanjiro and the Demon Slayer Corps feeling like ninjas

The Versus Mode of Demon Slayer Hinokami Chronicles is interesting in how each player selects two characters. While the battles are still 1 Vs 1, you can call in your partner for assist attacks and longer combos, or switch during battle.

When it comes to the battle system, Demon Slayer Hinokami Chronicles is very similar to what CyberConnect2 did in the past with Naruto. The controls and game systems aren’t particularly complicated, but will definitely require some training. Hence why the game is pretty clever by making its players go through at least the beginning of Story Mode first. Not only you’ll unlock the characters for Versus Mode, you will also learn how to properly master the demon-slaying Breathing techniques.

Playable characters, Demon Slayer Corps and Demons roster of Hinokami Chronicles

A total of 18 characters will be available at release, they’ve each been revealed with dedicated trailers: Tanjiro Kamado, Nezuko Kamado, Inosuke Hashibira, Zenitsu Agatsuma, Giyu Tomioka, Sakonji Urokodaki, Sabito, Makomo, Shinobu Koucho, Kyojuro Rengoku, Tanjiro Kamado (Hinokami Kagura), Murata, Kimetsu Academy versions of Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu, Inosuke, Giyu, and Shinobu.

Note that the game also includes both English and Japanese voiceovers, so you can take your pick whether you prefer the original dub or the English dub.

As confirmed on Twitter, six playable Demon characters will also be added through three free update DLCs. Two Demons will be added to Versus Mode with each update after the game releases. We will know at a later date which Demon characters are getting added. I’m eager to see what CyberConnect2 has in store for the full game, and how the first game adaptation of the ruling shonen manga by Koyoharu Gotouge will turn out.

Demon Slayer Kimetsu no Yaiba The Hinokami Chronicles has a slightly shorter name in Japan: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hinokami Keppuutan. The game will be out in Japan on October 14 and worldwide on October 15, for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. You can read much more on the game and check several gameplay videos with our past coverage. You can always reach me on Twitter to chat about anime and Japanese games @A_iyane07.