Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess impressions: plays like a lost PS2 cult classic

As a longtime fan of Capcom’s groundbreaking games from the mid-2000s, I cannot help but be utterly captivated by the studio’s latest offering: Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess. This game is an ode to the unique and daring creativity that defined a generation of gaming, a time when Capcom pushed boundaries with bold design and visual flair.

During the mid-2000s, Capcom experienced a remarkable creative surge seldom seen from established publishers. A talented team, spearheaded by Shinji Mikami, the creator of “Resident Evil,” produced an impressive lineup of innovative titles. They began with the “Capcom Five,” a collection of exclusive games for GameCube, which included “Resident Evil 4” and other notable titles such as Hideki Kamiya’s side-scrolling fighter “Viewtiful Joe” and Goichi Suda’s eccentric shooter “Killer 7.” Later, Mikami and Kamiya established Clover Studio within Capcom, where they each directed groundbreaking games for PlayStation 2: Mikami’s unconventional beat-’em-up “God Hand” and Kamiya’s visually stunning open-world adventure, “Okami.”

During that period, Capcom faced a major setback as most of their games failed to take off. Capcom shut down Clover Studio in 2007, and its key members, Kamiya and Mikami, went on to establish PlatinumGames, carrying forward some of Capcom’s innovative flair from the past. Over the subsequent 17 years, these games gained increasing recognition and influence. Now, a resurgent Capcom, riding high on the success of Resident Evil and Monster Hunter, is sensing a creative awakening once more. This is evident in their ambitious triple-A project, “Dragon’s Dogma 2,” and even more so in “Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess.”

Kunitsu-Gami represents a quirky and compact gaming experience reminiscent of the 2000s era, boasting a series of intricately designed, cramped levels that demand focused attention. The gameplay mechanics are streamlined, creating a captivating loop that leaves one questioning if it’s a recent creation or a rediscovered classic from the past. Its visually striking and grotesque art draws inspiration from traditional Japanese folklore and illustration styles, resulting in an enchanting yet unsettling atmosphere unlike any other game released in 2024. Kunitsu-Gami is a standalone masterpiece.

Capcom labels Kunitsu-Gami as an action-strategy game, specifically referred to as a “Kagura Action Strategy” game. The term “Kagura” derives from an ancient Shinto dance featuring a trance-like procession believed to cleanse the soul. In Kunitsu-Gami, players assume control over Soh, a swordsman, responsible for safeguarding Yoshiro, the Maiden, while she carries out a ritual aimed at expelling impurities from Mount Kafuku, sacred abode of the Goddess.

During the daytime, Yoshiro gracefully advances with dignified steps, leaving behind a trail of refinement. Simultaneously, Soh works tirelessly to purify small areas of contamination and save villagers. He orders them to mend fortifications and assigns roles such as archer, woodcutter, or ascetic for defense. At nightfall, however, Yoshiro momentarily halts her journey. Frightening demons called Seethe surge forth from possessed gates, aiming to assault her relentlessly. In this phase, the game transforms into a mix of an action game and tower defense. The player assumes control over the villagers’ tactical positioning while also commanding Soh personally, employing his elegant combat moves to hack a path through the grotesque, writhing creatures.

One source harmonizes all the activities in this game. The player collects crystals by cleansing impurities and defeating Seethe, then uses these crystals to allocate roles for villagers and pave a way for Yoshiro to dance (figuratively: Soh thrusts his sword into the ground and advances with it in an impressive animation). During the daytime, there’s a delicate yet considerate juggling act between getting ready, making progress, and securing a safe place for Yoshiro before nightfall; advancing along the path as quickly as possible isn’t always the most effective choice.

Unusual yet engaging, the combination of action and strategy in Kunitsu-Gami is refreshingly straightforward. Its sequential level design adds a sense of urgency and excitement, distinguishing it from typical tower defense games. The relentless passage of time keeps gameplay lively and demanding your full attention. This game offers defined and gratifying loops, as even after completing stages, they evolve into bases for additional rewards and upgrades. Here, you can enhance your villagers, create charms to boost their abilities, admire stunning artwork scrolls, and delight in exquisitely modeled traditional Japanese sweets with Yoshiro.

As a devoted fan of Capcom’s creations, I can’t help but be thrilled by the clear homage paid to “Kunitsu-Gami” in their latest game. After signing up for a demo version, I was pleasantly surprised to receive rewards inspired by the beloved “Okami.” These two games delve into the same rich vein of ancient Japanese folklore and mythology. Their unique art styles, while distinctly different, beautifully capture the essence of these captivating tales from our past.

Kunitsu-Gami distinguishes itself from the Capcom Five and Clover games by combining distinct artistic elements with innovative game design, resulting in a unique experience with a striking immediacy akin to an arcade game. The eerie atmosphere of Kunitsu-Gami is further enhanced by its bizarre monster designs, featuring knuckles, fingernails, and tongues, as well as the characters’ graceful movements around the ominous mountain backdrops. No other game I know of shares this distinctive character.

The game “Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess” has been released for play on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC via Steam, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. From day one, it is accessible on Game Pass for PC, cloud, and console versions as well.

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2024-07-19 16:49