With any new console generation, there’s always the palpable excitement around the launch line-up. Some of which have been legendary, while others have been less than satisfactory. What they all share in common are a few strong, but quality titles that often get exploded by first party exclusives. Kunitsu-Gami, while hardly a new game, having released last year, makes its presence felt on the Switch 2. Yet, it’s the almost uniform lack of seeing this as apart of most owners line-up posts that we’ve spotted on social media. So, why should it be on more systems? What makes this game worth the purchase over the other options that are available at launch? In one word: passion.

A Passion Project With Triple A Backing.

Konitsu-Gami; Path of the Goddess looks and plays like it was a pure work of passion. In a time where games feel lacking in execution or devoid of any substance, Kunitsu-Gami stands proudly as an option that oozes care and appreciation for what it is. Being developed by Division 1 of Capcom, the minds behind Resident Evil and Devil May Cry, this titles director, Shuichi Kawata, has given interactive form to a beautiful ode to Japanese culture and mythology. Drawing heavy inspiration from shrine maidens of old, revered forms of dance called, Kagura and a passion for the nuances of Japanese Yokai. It’s a title that constant shows thoughtful care into the setting it has placed itself into. You’d be forgiven if you felt this felt familiar to another Capcom series that had similar inclinations. Ōkami was and is a game that brought forth more nuanced experiences with Japanese culture and now, Kunitsu-Gami picks that laurel up and Shepard it forth into a newer age.

While lacking in sales numbers compared to Ōkami, Kunitsu-Gami offers an experience that is uniquely its own. With a traditional graphics engine and vibrant colors, this game is a delight for the eyes, while keeping in touch with its cultural roots. From the armor, stances and dances. To items of sweets and charms that would be at home for shrines. Each detail is there to further immerse you in this fictional realm. That being said, it’s not only the care in its looks that hook you in. The carefully crafted music, sounds and SFX, are there to offer your other senses a way into this delightful yet horrifying world. From the sounds of corrupted Torii gates to the fleshy noises of twisted yokai, Kunitsu-Gami is there to feed your senses. From the string arrangement to the thumping taiko drums, each adds a layer of nuance and thrill to the games encounters. Not only are their intense, engaging beats, there also are softer melodies that play out in the games more peaceful moments

A Sole Protector of a Divine Maiden

The game center’s around you, Soh, a warrior summoned to protect the divine Maiden Yoshiro. As you work to help her remove the defilement of a land who forsook their Goddess, you both will work to rinse the land of rain and evil. Part tower defense and part hack-n-slash, Kunitsu-Gami is a game that values your time and while also offering strategic layers. Villager, once saved from their corrupting confines, will act as pawns on a chessboard for you to maneuver and control. Fitting them with a class such as woodcutter, they will chop and mince through yokai. While perching them behind the divine maiden or high above as archers, will offer you a degree of cover from flying foe and ranged support. Each class in the game offering you a way to help weed through the waves of yokai that stand in your path. But fighting yokai is only one way of cleansing the taint of this world. By using the crystals you collect from defeating enemies and purifying the area of taint, you will cleave a path towards an afflicted Torii gate. A path upon which Yoshiro will conduct a Kagura of purification, with you ultimately enacting the final addition by cutting through its corrupted form. After each stage you will generally happen upon a boss that offers a unique set of challenges in defeating them.

Soh and Yoshiro make unique characters in the sense that Ōkami was unique to her own title as well. Acting as often quiet observers to the world around them, with only your actions offering input on how the interact with that world. One that’s often expanded upon by the village segments of the game. Once you’ve purified an area, it will unlock as a base. From here you may restore various buildings or elements of decoration in order to unlock more to aid you in your journey. You can also take the time to just take in the passion behind this project. Learn about the villagers that fight alongside you. You might discover a concerned sister who struggles living with her brother who’s a compulsive gambler or a man whose back has been aching as of late, but still he works ever on. It’s the detail that I love about this game. It’s often far too easy to forget that these are worlds simply don’t exist. Yet, someone out there took the time and effort to construct such minuet details. Ones that often become overlooked and forgotten, but Kunitsu-Gami invites you to read them. It invites you to wonder about the world and the society of cultures that permeate this small section of the world.

A Title Worth Your Time and Money?

Ultimately what surrounds the Switch 2 in news has been the price hike to 79.99USD for games a hard pill to swallow when times have been more and more uncertain. So, at 39.99USD for a digital only version, is it worth it? I would say, yes. While its method of play and blending of tower defense elements might push away some players, it’s a solid system that rewards clever thinking and positioning at the proper moments. While its atmosphere and oozing personality will pull you in and beg you to dig deeper. For a digital only game here state side, it is a tough pill to swallow. However if “physical” is more your style, it did receive a Japanese Game Key Card release with full English support in the subtitles aspect. You can purchase this directly via, play-Asia!

Otherwise you can freely purchase this from the Nintendo Switch 2 eshop or on your system of choice!

Have you played this yet? Is it on your list? Let us know down below!

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