Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles
{{Short description|2021 video game}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles
| image = Demon_Slayer_Kimetsu_no_Yaiba_–_The_Hinokami_Chronicles_box_art.jpg
| caption =
| developer = CyberConnect2
| publisher = {{Video game release|JP|Aniplex|WW|Sega}}
| director = Hisashi Natsumura
| producer = Taichiro Miyazaki
| designer =
| programmer = Yasuhiko Tsuneoka
Kosuke Usami
| artist =
| writer =
| composer = Yuki Kajiura
Go Shiina
| series = Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
| engine = Unreal Engine 4{{Cite web|title = Unreal Engine developers take center stage at The Game Awards 2021|author = Mat, Paget|work = Unreal Engine|date = December 13, 2021|access-date = January 3, 2022|url = https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/blog/unreal-engine-developers-take-center-stage-at-the-game-awards-2021|archive-date = June 6, 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220606154131/https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/blog/unreal-engine-developers-take-center-stage-at-the-game-awards-2021|url-status = live}}{{Cite web| title = Demon Slayer Kimetsu no Yaiba The Hinokami Chronicles Unreal Engine (UE) 4 Crashing, Fatal Error & Freezing issues: How to fix it?ers take center stage at The Game Awards 2021| author = Abhilash| work = Digi Statement| date = October 20, 2021| access-date = January 3, 2022| url = https://digistatement.com/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-the-hinokami-chronicles-unreal-engine-ue-4-crashing-fatal-error-freezing-issues-how-to-fix-it/| archive-date = January 3, 2022| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220103231923/https://digistatement.com/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-the-hinokami-chronicles-unreal-engine-ue-4-crashing-fatal-error-freezing-issues-how-to-fix-it/| url-status = live}}
| platforms = {{ubl|PlayStation 4|PlayStation 5|Windows|Xbox One|Xbox Series X/S|Nintendo Switch}}
| released = PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S{{Video game release|JP|October 14, 2021|WW|October 15, 2021}}Nintendo Switch{{Video game release|JP|June 9, 2022|WW|June 10, 2022}}
| genre = Fighting, action-adventure
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles{{efn|Known in Japan as {{nihongo||鬼滅の刃 ヒノカミ血風譚|Kimetsu no Yaiba Hinokami Keppūtan}}}} is a fighting action-adventure game developed by CyberConnect2. Based on the 2019 anime adaptation of Koyoharu Gotouge's manga series, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, the game was released by Aniplex in Japan, and globally by Sega, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S in October 2021. It was released for Nintendo Switch in June 2022.
A sequel, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles 2, is slated for an August 2025 release.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2025/03/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-the-hinokami-chronicles-2-launches-august-1-in-japan-august-5-in-the-west|title=Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles 2 launches August 1 in Japan, August 5 in the west|last=Romano|first=Sal|website=Gematsu|date=March 1, 2025|access-date=March 1, 2025}}
Gameplay and plot
Adapted from the events of the first season of the anime series, along with Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train, the game's single player story mode follows Tanjiro Kamado, the series' protagonist, as he joins the Demon Slayer Corps and faces off against various demons in order to turn his sister Nezuko, who has become a demon, back into a human. The story features some exploration elements, and is told through various cutscenes and boss battles with demons seen in the anime series.{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/06/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-the-hinokami-chronicles-second-trailer-japanese-box-art-and-game-editions-detailed|title=Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles coming west on October 15|website=Gematsu|date=June 20, 2021|access-date=June 24, 2021|archive-date=June 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621015113/https://www.gematsu.com/2021/06/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-the-hinokami-chronicles-second-trailer-japanese-box-art-and-game-editions-detailed|url-status=live}} The Hinokami Chronicles also features a versus mode, where players form teams of two fighters from the roster and battle CPU opponents or other people. The game supports both local and online multiplayer.
= Characters =
The game launched with 18 characters, including six who appeared in the spin-off anime Junior High and High School!! Kimetsu Academy Story. These spin-off characters feature different outfits and ultimate attacks, but otherwise generally play the same as their main-story counterparts. Six characters were later added via free updates, along with seven made available as downloadable content, for a total of 31.
{{collist|
- Academy Giyu Tomioka
- Academy Inosuke Hashibira
- Academy Nezuko Kamado
- Academy Shinobu Kocho
- Academy Tanjiro Kamado
- Academy Zenitsu Agatsuma
- Akaza / Upper Rank 3{{efn|name=update|Added via post-launch update}}
- Daki / Upper Rank 6{{efn|name=dlc|Downloadable content}}
- Enmu / Lower Rank 1{{efn|name=update}}
- Giyu Tomioka
- Gyutaro / Upper Rank 6{{efn|name=dlc}}
- Hinokami Tanjiro Kamado
- Inosuke Hashibira
- Inosuke Hashibira (Entertainment District Arc){{efn|name=dlc}}
- Kyojuro Rengoku
- Makomo
- Murata
- Nezuko Kamado
- Nezuko Kamado (Awakened Form){{efn|name=dlc}}
- Rui / Lower Rank 5{{efn|name=update}}
- Sabito
- Sakonji Urokodaki
- Shinobu Kocho
- Susamaru{{efn|name=update}}
- Tanjiro Kamado
- Tanjiro Kamado (Entertainment District Arc){{efn|name=dlc}}
- Tengen Uzui{{efn|name=dlc}}
- Yahaba{{efn|name=update}}
- Yushiro and Tamayo{{efn|name=update}}
- Zenitsu Agatsuma
- Zenitsu Agatsuma (Entertainment District Arc){{efn|name=dlc}}
}}
Development
The game was announced in March 2020. It was to be published by Aniplex for the PlayStation 4; the company previously produced the 2019 anime adaptation.{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2020/03/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-games-announced-for-ps4-ios-and-android|title=Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba games announced for PS4, iOS and Android [Update 2]|website=Gematsu|date=March 12, 2020|access-date=June 24, 2021|archive-date=December 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229135427/https://www.gematsu.com/2020/03/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-games-announced-for-ps4-ios-and-android|url-status=live}} Later that month, first footage was shown, along with the announcement that the game, titled Kimetsu no Yaiba Hinokami Keppūtan in Japan, would be developed by CyberConnect2, the company known for developing the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja series.{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2020/03/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-hinokami-keppuutan-developed-by-cyberconnect2-debut-trailer-screenshots|title=Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Hinokami Keppuutan developed by CyberConnect2; debut trailer, screenshots|website=Gematsu|date=March 22, 2020|access-date=June 24, 2021|archive-date=March 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322172212/https://www.gematsu.com/2020/03/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-hinokami-keppuutan-developed-by-cyberconnect2-debut-trailer-screenshots|url-status=live}} Following months of development, the game was re-announced via the issue of Weekly Shōnen Jump to be a multiplatform arena fighting game for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/02/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-hinokami-keppuutan-officially-confirmed-for-ps5-xbox-series-xbox-one-and-pc|title=Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Hinokami Keppuutan officially confirmed for PS5, Xbox Series, Xbox One, and PC|website=Gematsu|date=February 7, 2021|access-date=June 24, 2021|archive-date=December 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229135432/https://www.gematsu.com/2021/02/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-hinokami-keppuutan-officially-confirmed-for-ps5-xbox-series-xbox-one-and-pc|url-status=live}} Ufotable, the animation studio behind the anime series, has produced several key illustrations for the game.
The Hinokami Chronicles received three free post-launch DLC, each with two new characters. The first, announced in October 2021,{{cite web|url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/rui-akaza-join-versus-mode-in-demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba/|title=Rui & Akaza Join Versus Mode In Demon Slayer -Kimetsu No Yaiba-|website=Bleeding Cool|first=Gavin|last=Sheehan|date=November 7, 2021|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=December 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229135428/https://bleedingcool.com/games/rui-akaza-join-versus-mode-in-demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba/|url-status=live}} and released in November 2021, added Akaza and Rui, the first playable antagonists in the game.{{cite web|url=https://www.siliconera.com/demon-slayer-the-hinokami-chronicles-free-update-to-add-akaza-and-rui/|title=Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles Free Update to Add Akaza and Rui|website=Siliconera|first=Kazuma|last=Hashimoto|date=October 7, 2021|access-date=October 17, 2021|archive-date=December 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229135428/https://www.siliconera.com/demon-slayer-the-hinokami-chronicles-free-update-to-add-akaza-and-rui/|url-status=live}} An Additional Character Pack, released in 2022, added seven characters from the Entertainment District Arc as paid DLC, although the arc itself was not adapted into the game's story mode. A Nintendo Switch version was released in Japan on June 9, 2022,{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/02/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-n-the-hinokami-chronicles-launches-on-switch-this-june|title=Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles Launches On Switch This June|website=Nintendo Life|first=Liam|last=Doolan|date=February 3, 2022|access-date=February 3, 2022|archive-date=February 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205081214/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/02/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-n-the-hinokami-chronicles-launches-on-switch-this-june|url-status=live}} and worldwide the following day.{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/the-demon-slayer-game-is-coming-to-switch/|title=The Demon Slayer game is coming to Switch|website=Destructioid|first=Chris|last=Carter|date=February 7, 2022|access-date=February 7, 2022|archive-date=December 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229135432/https://www.destructoid.com/the-demon-slayer-game-is-coming-to-switch/|url-status=live}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| MC = PS4: 70/100{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-the-hinokami/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4|title=Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Hinokami Chronicles for PlayStation 4 Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=November 23, 2021}}
PS5: 69/100{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-the-hinokami/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5|title=Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Hinokami Chronicles for PlayStation 5 Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=November 19, 2021}}
XSXS: 82/100{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-the-hinokami/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x|title=Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Hinokami Chronicles for Xbox Series X Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=November 19, 2021}}
NS: 74/100{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-the-hinokami/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|title=Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Hinokami Chronicles for Switch Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=July 13, 2022}}
| Destruct = 6.5/10{{Cite web|last=Carter|first=Chris|title=Review: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Hinokami Chronicles|url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba/|website=Destructoid|date=October 13, 2021|access-date=October 31, 2021|archive-date=December 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229135428/https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba/|url-status=live}}
| IGN = 7/10{{Cite web|last=Borger|first=Will|title=Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Hinokami Chronicles Review|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-the-hinokami-chronicles-review|website=IGN|date=October 13, 2021|access-date=October 31, 2021|archive-date=December 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229135427/https://www.ign.com/articles/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-the-hinokami-chronicles-review|url-status=live}}
| JXV = PS5: 13/20{{Cite web|author=Silent_Jay|title=Test Demon Slayer The Hinokami Chronicles : La meilleure adaptation de manga depuis Dragon Ball FighterZ ?|trans-title=Demon Slayer The Hinokami Chronicles Review : The best manga adaptation since Dragon Ball FighterZ ?|url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/test/1474544/demon-slayer-the-hinokami-chronicles-la-meilleure-adaptation-de-manga-depuis-dragon-ball-fighterz.htm|website=Jeuxvideo.com|date=October 13, 2021|access-date=June 22, 2022|language=fr|archive-date=December 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229135427/https://www.jeuxvideo.com/test/1474544/demon-slayer-the-hinokami-chronicles-la-meilleure-adaptation-de-manga-depuis-dragon-ball-fighterz.htm|url-status=live}}
NS: 14/20{{Cite web|author=Silent_Jay|url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/test/1589383/demon-slayer-the-hinokami-chronicles-une-version-nintendo-switch-qui-tranche-dans-le-vif.htm|title=Test Demon Slayer The Hinokami Chronicles : Une version Nintendo Switch qui tranche dans le vif|trans-title=Demon Slayer The Hinokami Chronicles Review : A Nintendo Switch version that cuts to the quick|website=Jeuxvideo.com|date=June 16, 2022|access-date=June 23, 2022|language=fr|archive-date=December 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229135427/https://www.jeuxvideo.com/test/1589383/demon-slayer-the-hinokami-chronicles-une-version-nintendo-switch-qui-tranche-dans-le-vif.htm|url-status=live}}
| NLife = {{Rating|8|10}}{{Cite web|last=Vogel|first=Mitch|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-the-hinokami-chronicles|title=Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles Review (Switch)|website=Nintendo Life|date=June 13, 2022|access-date=June 22, 2022|archive-date=December 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229135432/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-the-hinokami-chronicles|url-status=live}}
| PSQ = {{Rating|6|10}}{{Cite web|last=Ramsey|first=Robert|title=Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Hinokami Chronicles Review (PS5)|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-the-hinokami-chronicles|website=Push Square|date=October 13, 2021|access-date=October 31, 2021|archive-date=December 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229135428/https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-the-hinokami-chronicles|url-status=live}}
| SN = 7/10{{Cite web|last=Mejia|first=Ozzie|title=Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Hinokami Chronicles review: Scent of a demon|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/127113/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-the-hinokami-chronicles-review-scent-of-a-demon|website=Shacknews|date=October 14, 2021|access-date=June 22, 2022|archive-date=December 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229135428/https://www.shacknews.com/article/127113/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-the-hinokami-chronicles-review-scent-of-a-demon|url-status=live}}
}}
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles received "mixed or average" reviews for most platforms, according to review aggregator Metacritic; the Xbox Series X/S version received "generally favorable" reviews. The PlayStation 4 version of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles was the bestselling retail game during its first week of release in Japan, with 94,849 physical copies being sold. The PlayStation 5 also version sold 20,187 copies during the same week, making it the second bestselling retail game in the country.{{cite web |last1=Romano |first1=Sal |title=Famitsu Sales: 10/4/21 – 10/10/21 [Update] |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/10/famitsu-sales-10-4-21-10-10-21 |website=Gematsu |access-date=October 19, 2021 |date=October 14, 2021 |archive-date=August 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809233234/https://www.gematsu.com/2021/10/famitsu-sales-10-4-21-10-10-21 |url-status=live }} By December 2021, the game had sold over 1.32 million copies worldwide.{{Cite web|last=Romano|first=Sal|date=January 2, 2022|title=CyberConnect2 to announce new game in February|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2022/01/cyberconnect2-to-announce-new-game-in-february|access-date=January 3, 2022|website=Gematsu|archive-date=January 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220102214429/https://www.gematsu.com/2022/01/cyberconnect2-to-announce-new-game-in-february|url-status=live}} By March 2023, it had sold over 3 million copies worldwide.{{Cite web|last=Romano|first=Sal|date=March 29, 2023|title=Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles shipments and digital sales top three million|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/03/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-the-hinokami-chronicles-shipments-and-digital-sales-top-three-million|access-date=March 31, 2023|website=Gematsu}} By February 2024, it had sold over 3.5 million copies worldwide.{{Cite web |title= |script-title=ja:鬼滅祭 ～アニメ伍周年記念祭～ |url=https://kimetsusai.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302040520/https://kimetsusai.com/exhibition/ |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |access-date=March 2, 2024 |website=kimetsusai.com |language=ja}}
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles was nominated for Best Fighting Game at The Game Awards 2021.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-game-awards-2021-winners-revealed |title=The Game Awards 2021 Winners: The Full List |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |work=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=December 9, 2021 |access-date=December 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210050502/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-game-awards-2021-winners-revealed |archive-date=December 10, 2021 |url-status=live }}
{{Clear}}
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website}}
{{Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba}}
{{CyberConnect2}}
{{Ufotable}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Hinokami Chronicles}}
Category:Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Nintendo Switch games
Category:Taishō era in fiction
Category:Unreal Engine 4 games
Category:Video games about demons
Category:Video games about ninja
Category:Video games based on anime and manga
Category:Video games developed in Japan