Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is a delightfully creative title from Capcom that succeeds in offering a fresh action experience filled with tension and excitement. In all the best ways, Kunitsu-Gami stands out as a thrilling new experience.
Credit: Capcom
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
Developer: Capcom
Price: $50
Platforms: PS4, PS5 (reviewed), Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC
MonsterVine was provided with a PS5 code for review
Few companies have as varied a catalog as Capcom. From its legendary stable of fighting games to platformers and character action titles, it feels like Capcom has done it all. The company’s latest, Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, seems to have come out of nowhere, but the action-strategy hybrid has left me remarkably impressed with its unique gameplay and vibes.
Kunitsu-Gami is split into two main types of gameplay – the fast-paced strategic daytime sections and the more action-oriented nighttime segments. As the spirit warrior Soh, your goal is to protect the priestess Yoshiro from the demonic Seethe, allowing her to purify different areas of Mt. Kafuku that have been corrupted by yokai.
Credit: Capcom
During the day, your goals are to purify majorly defiled areas and to free villagers who the Seethe has incapacitated while Yoshiro walks towards the goal gate. These saved villagers can be assigned roles, and then strategically placed around each stage within the dwindling time before nightfall. This leads into the night segments, which have Seethe pour out of portals to try and attack Yoshiro while Soh and the villagers protect her.
“The general loop of powering up/unlocking new classes and repairing the purified areas during the day keeps each segment of the game fulfilling and makes it surprisingly easy to lose track of time“
I love how quick and tense the strategic portions of Kunitsu-Gami are, as you often have to assign villagers to new areas on the fly as different types of Seethe attempt to breach your defenses. Hacking and slashing foes as Soh is satisfying – especially once you can upgrade his abilities later in the game – but picking the best classes for each villager and creating an impenetrable party of allies is the real appeal here.
Credit: Capcom
The general loop of powering up/unlocking new classes and repairing the purified areas during the day keeps each segment of the game fulfilling and makes it surprisingly easy to lose track of time. Having villagers rebuild landmarks kept me excited to revisit old areas between action stages, especially thanks to the rewards given for thoroughly fixing each hub.
The boss fights are a blast as well, with each fearsome yokai providing a unique challenge that stands out from the more prolonged regular levels. The designs are wonderfully creepy and detailed, and I was constantly looking forward to seeing which freaky foe would feature in the next boss battle.
Credit: Capcom
The atmosphere of Kunitsu-Gami is excellent, frequently alternating between chillingly somber and quietly hopeful. The appearance of the different corrupted areas and Seethe are incredibly creepy, which shows just how ruined these beautiful areas have become as a result of demonic corruption.
My only issue with the game is that some of the corruptions that you’re attempting to dispose of during the day can easily blend with the purely decorative parts of each stage. On more than one occasion, I’d be looking for the last couple of pillars in a panic with only minutes left before nightfall, unable to spot it amidst several very similar background objects of similar appearance.
The Final Word
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is a brilliant action-strategy game that once again proves Capcom’s ability to make enjoyable games in essentially any genre. The gameplay and atmosphere are top-notch and unlike anything I’ve played in a good while, making for one of this year’s most memorable games.
MonsterVine Rating: 4.5 out of 5 – Great
