Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2 infuses the series with improved combat, richer visuals, and just enough new content to justify stepping back into its arena.
It doesn’t reinvent its core, but polishes what worked in the original, with a few creases that still need to be ironed out. If you’ve played a CyberConnect2 anime game, such as the Naruto Storm series or Kakarot, you likely already know what you’re in for.
Tanjiro’s Journey Continued
The game picks up where Hinokami Chronicles left off, adapting the next three major arcs: the Entertainment District Arc, the Swordsmith Village Arc and the Hashira Training Arc. These sections cover Tanjiro’s continued growth on his quest to kill Muzan, his and his friends’ confrontations with Upper Moons like Daki, Gyutaro and Hantengu, and their training under the guidance of the Hashira.
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Each arc is split into chapters with brief exploration segments, light collectibles, and (what everyone comes for) the occasional cinematic boss encounter. While the story is visually well-presented, it doesn’t offer much beyond what fans likely already know and the gameplay structure limits its impact.
The story mode suffers from the same pacing issues as the first game; between fights, the game makes you trudge through long, uneventful walking sections. These areas are hollow, with minimal interaction and little incentive to explore outside of some pickups, collectible rewards and the occasional sidequest.
They feel more like set dressing than meaningful gameplay, and over time, they drag the momentum down. The occasional minigames are pleasant mixup however!
Most of the in-between could just be a cutscene, as is the case in Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm’s latest games. CyberConnect2’s biggest weakness has always been the filler gameplay in their story modes. Just give us more minigames I say!
It’s all about the breathing
At its core, this is still an arena fighter. You’ll fight through tight, kinetic 2v2 brawls — or 2v1 when a demon enters the match — where sharp movement and well-timed combos can decide the outcome in seconds.
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The expanded roster brings in several Upper Moons, all nine Hashira and alternate character versions, giving returning players new options to experiment with. It is certainly an improvement on the original’s roster and breathes fresh life into the online and versus modes.
Combat feels snappier. Dashes are more responsive, heavy attacks have been remapped and better balanced, and the games combo timer that was present in the first, feels more fair. It no longer just ends combos mid animation. Special attacks are still mapped to one button and attack combos to another allowing choice in extending combos.
The visual spectacle that unfolds makes every fight dramatic and distinct and leaves its mark on the environment. The game draws inspiration from its source material, but builds its own identity through bold art direction and tight presentation. The ultimate attacks and new dual ultimate attacks between certain characters, could be on repeat and they’d never get old.
Some things turn to ash in the sun…
When you shine a light on some of the game’s mechanics, they fail to impress. Gear is a new addition, allowing you to equip a selection of items that offer various bonuses, such as healing or attack increases. I equipped the tutorial gear and then honestly forgot about it, it was just another system taking me out of fights, the games heart.
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Boss battles are also a mixed bag. Visually, they’re incredible and some of Cyberconnect2’s best work, but they’re often undermined by pushback mechanics or sudden difficulty spikes. Getting knocked out of a combo by an unavoidable wall of force breaks the flow. These fights are designed to impress, but not always to satisfy.
The game also features a Path of the Demon Slayer mode, which is essentially a recap of the first game, however they’re just glorified 1v1 versus mode battles with a voice over. I would have liked to see the more cinematic boss fights ported over, as it stands this mode could have just been a 10 minute cutscene really.
Thankfully, the new Training Path mode is a standout addition. Framed as a survival challenge tower, it adds variety missing from the base campaign. You choose a Hashira then your fighters, with the ultimate goal being to reach the Hashira and face off in battle. Different paths reward different enhancements with varying challenges. It rewards smart play, and unlike the story mode, it respects your time. It’s easily the most compelling addition to the sequel, and a direction worth expanding on in the future.
Should I Buy Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2?
Hinokami Chronicles 2 is more refinement than revolution. It still stumbles in the same places — pacing, story mode exploration and boss fight design.
When the game leans into its strengths, it’s undeniably thrilling. The fights are faster, flashier, and more readable. The new characters are fun and for fans of the combat system, the Hashira Training mode is a welcome addition if VS mode isn’t your thing.
Plus Zenitsu’s many faces will never NOT make me laugh.
While all the pieces don’t quite fit together perfectly, the overall package makes it a worthy sequel.
Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2 is available now in advanced access on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam.
Quest Daily Scores Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2:
7/10
A review copy of Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2 was supplied to Quest Daily for the purpose of this review.
