Demon Slayer - What We Know So Far
Rumors swirled on Resetera about a fighting game in development based on a popular manga. Then, the hearsay manifested into reality when Sega announced "Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles" as part of IGN's Summer of Gaming in late June.
According to the official website, the Adventure Mode faithfully follows the "Demon Slayer" anime. Protagonist Tanjiro Kamado becomes a demon slayer after the death of his family, setting off on a journey to change his sister, Nezuko, back from a demon into a human. This is no easy feat, as he needs to track down and defeat Muzan Kibutsuji, his family's killer and the strongest demon of all.
CyberConnect2, the studio in charge of "Demon Slayer," works almost exclusively on anime games. Some of the studio's adaptations include "Naruto," "Dragon Ball Z," and ".hack." Many of these received decent scores on Metacritic. In short, "Demon Slayer" is only the latest in CyberConnect2's portfolio of successful anime-inspired titles.
Here's what we know so far about the new arena anime fighter, "Demon Slayer."
What is the release date for Demon Slayer?
"Demon Slayer" releases on October 15 in both North America and Europe. Supported platforms include PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC. Sega mentioned pre-order bonuses like character unlock keys and character avatars for all editions on its website. Keys seem to unlock additional characters earlier than usual, and character avatars seem to align with the game's version of cosmetics.
Sega lists three versions of the game: Physical Standard, Digital Standard, and Digital Deluxe. Out of these, Physical Standard offers the least incentive. At least Digital Standard adds character keys and avatars. Digital Deluxe features early access, cosmetics, and in-game currency for fans willing to pay for the perks. All packages receive cosmetics, but Digital Deluxe can include up to 13 additional character avatars.
Unfortunately, while Digital Deluxe is available for all supported platforms, PlayStation and PC users receive the most perks. The listings don't mention the same number of character keys and avatars for Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S users.
Is there a trailer for Demon Slayer?
The "Demon Slayer" Story Trailer shows off gameplay for boss battles featured in the first season of the anime, and animated cutscenes from the English dub of the game. IGN even posted a preview of the Adventure Mode, where Tanjiro travels to feudal Tokyo with Nezuko in search of Muzan. But don't look at it if you're spoiler squeamish. It doesn't reveal anything too juicy, but it still gives away some of the plot.
Fans of the anime should recognize iconic moments like Tanjiro's sparring matches with fox guy Sabito and his conversation with master Sakonji Urokodaki about Muzan Kibutsuji. The animations mimic scenes in the show almost exactly. Graphics don't significantly change the quality, though they're noticeably more 3D than the anime. The character moves and mechanics also seem to mirror moves in the anime, such as tsunami-like sword swings that cut through and crush enemies.
What's the gameplay like in Demon Slayer?
Sega advertises "Demon Slayer" as a "Demon-slaying Action" title that adapts the anime's storyline through gameplay. So, players can control Tanjiro as he fights a host of disturbing demons and opponents drawn from the manga and anime. Aside from the story, the title offers a local and online versus mode.
The game features a variety of characters, ranging from the "Demon Slayer" series' most beloved companion to minor side personalities who barely show up in the first season. Nonetheless, these individuals differ enough in design and fighting specialties in the anime that the variety will hopefully carry over to the game.
It's also an arena fighter, which means movement differs from traditional fighting games. The exact meaning of the term sparked some debate on the r/Fighters subreddit, but most commenters seemed to agree that arena fighters tend to focus more on projectiles due to the larger stages. Either way, "Demon Slayer" should enable players to go head-to-head with an array of attacks and strategies.