As a seasoned strategy game veteran with countless hours poured into the genre, I approached Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess with a healthy dose of skepticism and anticipation. With its intriguing premise and beautiful art style, I was excited to immerse myself in this new world.
The game “Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess” by Capcom is among the most innovative titles I’ve encountered recently. While its foundational elements draw from familiar territory in both action and strategy genres, it distinguishes itself through the unique ways these concepts unfold and are presented. Essentially, this game offers a fresh perspective on real-time strategy, accomplishing much with just a few fundamental ideas, and excelling in intricate details.
And then the monsters ate them
At Mt. Kafuku, a once prosperous home to multiple villages, residents succumbed to their greed for more wealth and pleasure. Their indulgence led to the desolation of the land, inviting malevolent creatures from another realm – the Seethe. These monstrous beings wreaked havoc, devastating everything they came across. Amidst this chaos, Yoshiro, a revered shrine maiden, and her protector Soh (you) arrive to save the people, purify the land, and permanently banish the Seethe.
In simpler terms, Kunitsu-Gami’s storyline setup is rather minimal but effective for Capcom’s purpose. The focus is more on Yoshiro and Soh’s actions and locations instead of their identities. Just as in folklore, you play the role of Kunitsu-Gami’s guardian, and that’s the entire backstory provided.
As a big fan of Kunitsu-Gami, I’m always amazed by how seamlessly it manages to juggle numerous elements. Capcom labels it as a Kageru Action Strategy game, but that description doesn’t even come close to doing it justice. With each rescued village, the destruction wrought by the Seethe is palpable and heart-wrenching. Rebuilding these towns from the ground up and setting up my base of operations adds a layer of light management that keeps me engaged and invested in the game world.
As a gamer, I can tell you that in the game Soh, I manage my character’s skills by navigating through a skill tree and assigning abilities to a few designated slots. The game adds an RPG touch with elements of princess raising. After each battle, Yoshiro, the princess, stays in her tent expecting my visit. She offers me items for exchange and requires sustenance which I provide by offering food rewards or clearing away corruption. Although giving Yoshiro a sweet bun that emerged from a writhing mass may not be the best choice, she seems to enjoy it nonetheless.
Capcom manages impressively well to balance multiple genres and aspects in Kunitsu-Gami without any discernible hiccups. The result may be unlike anything you’re accustomed to, yet it flows effortlessly and feels authentic.
Dance for your life
Kagura’s dance is steeped in ritual tradition, giving it a captivating theatrical atmosphere. The intricately synchronized actions, vividly designed costumes and monsters, and the background chorus growing more anxious as darkness falls, all contribute to an immersive experience that resembles a grand outdoor production. Few video games attempt to elicit such a sensation.
In addition to the theatrical elements, this game boasts several stylish features that aren’t found in traditional stageplays. For instance, your health bar is represented by a handcrafted ofuda – a Shinto charm tag – and each new day is signaled by beautifully illustrated pages. The settings are intricately designed, reminiscent of dioramas, with layers akin to Fantasian’s construction by Mistwalker. Kunitsu-Gami stands out as one of the most artistically daring and captivating games of the year, offering more than just visual appeal.
The wandering savior
In this scenario, when you arrive at a fresh village, your mission is to eliminate as much corruption as possible, liberate the villagers, and prepare a clean path for Yoshiro to perform her cleansing dance. Once freed, villagers join your team by assuming various roles such as woodsmen or specialized fighters and support members. By eradicating all corruption before reaching the final gate, you are rewarded with a new talisman that enhances Soh’s abilities. Corruption nodes are thoughtfully distributed to create an engaging puzzle-like experience, making it essential to explore every corner of the map thoroughly.
As a gamer, I can tell you that in the game of Kunitsu-Gami, assigning roles to villagers and readying Yoshiro’s journey comes at a cost in crystals. You acquire these precious crystals by purifying corruption nodes, both large and small. However, no matter how many crystals you manage to gather, they never seem enough for all the tasks at hand.
After the sun sets, the Seethe relentlessly advance towards Yoshiro, regardless of how far she has progressed on her journey. At this point, your mission transforms into repelling the Seethe waves and safeguarding Yoshiro. The villagers you have saved can participate in the battle if you have assigned them tasks. They remain stationary unless directed by you to attack or defend in groups. Though less complex than other real-time strategy games, Kunitsu-Gami’s intricate mechanics and ingeniously designed maps necessitate maintaining a sharp focus on your strategies.
During Seethe’s waves, there are brief moments of stillness where no actions are required. These pauses seem unnecessary as you can quickly reposition units or heal during battles. However, these interludes are irritating due to their unexpected appearance amidst the game’s otherwise seamless design.
Repetition is the key to upgrades
After the dawn, you’re back on the path toward purity. Once Yoshiro reaches the Torii gate, you both carry out a final cleansing rite to prevent the Seethe from entering the village each night. Then, you may either move onto the next settlement or choose to rebuild this one. Most reconstruction tasks involve a few villagers and multiple battles to finish. Although it seems monotonous, Kunitsu-Gami insists on revisiting maps frequently to gather as many upgrading materials for your villagers and Yoshiro as possible. While repetitive, each village presents unique challenges that compel you to devise innovative strategies, making the experience worthwhile.
As a gamer, I discover new villager roles by overcoming major Seethe and making my way down the mountain. Each role comes with unique strengths and weaknesses, like the woodsman who efficiently handles weaker enemies but struggles against flying foes. The enemy types become increasingly diverse, forcing me to adapt my strategy instead of relying on a single approach.
As a fan, I’d describe it this way: Soh’s fundamental attacks and dance combos provide an enjoyable experience in various situations, despite their simplicity. One combo lets me spin Soh up into the sky for a breathtaking visual display against airborne enemies. Another sequence has him performing elegant sword twirls that unleash a succession of attacks, leaving me impressed with each strike. Kunitsu-Gami’s small visual effects add an extraordinary touch to its moveset, significantly enhancing its captivating and distinctive persona.
Soh additionally acquires various strategic abilities. Certain ones are restricted in application and require precise timing for maximum effectiveness, while others enhance nearby villagers within a short proximity. On expansive maps, it becomes essential to select the two or three fighters who benefit most from this assistance. You can also defend against attacks by blocking and dodging, restore health, and temporarily halt time to give instructions.
Kunitsu-Gami may not delve deeply, but it maximizes each of its numerous ideas. Apart from a few uninteresting pauses, it consistently encourages deep thought and full absorption of its intricately crafted universe. It’s uniquely distinct with no counterpart, and I eagerly anticipate further developments.
I’ve had the opportunity to preview Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, a captivating game that is set to be released on July 19, 2024. The publisher generously provided me with a PC copy for this review. As someone who has grown up playing video games, I’ve seen my fair share of launches, but Kunitsu-Gami promises to deliver an immersive experience like no other.
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2024-07-15 18:28