Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is a Kagura Action Strategy game that weaves a new tale of Kami inspired by Japanese culture and mythology. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess Review Overview
What is Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess?
The game takes place on Mt. Kafuku, a land that was once blessed by nature until it became suddenly corrupted by a dark substance called “the defilement." This transforms the mountain and steals the sacred masks imbued with the Goddess’ powers to threaten and corrupt the villagers. You play as Soh as you guide the maiden Yoshiro as you set out to purify the neighboring villages along with the other surviving villagers and bring peace back to the mountain using the remaining masks.
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess features:
⚫︎ Unique Japanese-Inspired World
⚫︎ Fusion of Tower Defense and Hack and Slash Combat
⚫︎ Day and Night Cycle
⚫︎ Base-Building Elements
⚫︎ Japanese History and Mythology-Inspired Visuals
For more gameplay details, read everything we know about Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess's gameplay and story.
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 PlayStation |
 Xbox |
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| $49.99 | ||||||||
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 Unique and Addicting Gameplay Beautiful Integration of Japanese Culture Fun Boss Fights |
Some Weird Design Choices Can Get Repetitive at Times |
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess Overall Score - 86/100
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess stands as Capcom’s most imaginative and inventive game yet. It's a stunning blend and tribute to Japanese culture, seamlessly weaving elements from beloved yet overlooked classics like Okami, Otogi, and Onimusha. The addition of tower defense RTS gameplay might sound unusual, but it works and blends incredibly well with the other gameplay elements. This game deserves to be as successful as Capcom's big hits like Resident Evil, Street Fighter, and Monster Hunter, and it should definitely become one of their staple titles.
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess Story - 7/10
The story of Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is mostly told through silent storytelling, taking a backseat to the gameplay. It could have really shined with more scenes and actual voice acting, especially since there are only two main characters, Soh and Yoshiro. Still, the lore is fascinating, offering a unique take on Japanese mythology. I really hope there's a sequel to explore this intriguing and untapped world further.
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess Gameplay - 9/10
Who would have thought that combining RTS, tower defense, and hack and slash would work so well? But it does, and the gameplay loop is incredibly addictive. It feels fresh and innovative, even if there are a few areas that could use some polishing and moments that feel a bit repetitive. Overall, the gameplay is truly one of a kind, and I wouldn’t be surprised if other games try to imitate it.
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess Visuals - 9/10
The game might not win any awards for graphics, but it shines with its boundless creativity. Each environment is steeped in a mysterious, anxiety-inducing atmosphere, and the character designs are irresistibly captivating. The UI, though sometimes challenging to navigate, masterfully blends various Japanese art styles, reflecting the developers' artistic vision. Every moment exudes grace, and it's clear that a tremendous amount of heart and soul went into creating this unique experience.
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess Audio - 8/10
The game’s audio design is intentionally minimalistic, using sound effects to create a strong atmosphere in each area. This can be quite anxiety-inducing, as you become acutely aware of every sound due to the sparse music. Despite this direction, the music itself is really well done. I particularly love the theme song and the track they use when you’re in a base.
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess Value for Money - 10/10
Kunitsu-Gami is definitely worth the $50 price tag—you really get your money’s worth with its incredible replayability. Capcom has hit it out of the park with this one-of-a-kind game, and I really hope it does well because it definitely deserves a sequel.
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess Review: Okami's True Spiritual Successor
First off, congratulations to Capcom for being bold and experimental once again, just like they used to be. Kunitsu-Gami feels like their most unique and creative game yet, and it’s exactly what the gaming industry needs right now.
If you’re a fan of Okami, this game feels like a heartfelt love letter and a true spiritual successor to that beloved classic, as well as to other underrated experimental games from Capcom.
So what exactly makes Kunitsu-Gami so unique? Well, it really boils down to its gameplay, which, I admit, I was a bit skeptical of at first. I wasn't sure if mixing action hack and slash with RTS, tower defense, and base building would really work.
It can feel overwhelming at first, for sure, and I honestly wasn’t completely sold on it when I started. You start with a few basic abilities, gaining more as you progress. While this is an obvious progression, since you'll need to juggle so many different things, it can be a bit much at times. But stick with it, you'll gradually get sucked in and you’ll find the gameplay loop incredibly addictive.
The game operates on a day and night cycle as you move from area to area. Set in Mt. Kafuku—a mountain once sacred but now tainted by the Seethe, evil spirits attack villages and target the sacred maiden of the mountain, Yoshiro. This maiden has the power to purify the land through her ceremonial Kagura dance, but she's vulnerable during it. As Soh, her guardian, your role is to fight alongside the villagers to protect her from the Seethe and reclaim the mountain.
During the day, your main goal is to clear the path to the Torii gates, which connect to another world and need to be severed to purge the corruption. These gates open at night, allowing the demonic Seethe to try to steal the maiden’s powers. To defend her, you can purify afflicted villagers and assign them roles, as long as you have the necessary resources.
You can then place these villagers at strategic points on the map to strengthen your defenses and make the most of their assigned roles. Your daytime tasks involve preparing for the night by making repairs, purifying villagers, and clearing the way to the Torii gate as much as possible to remove the corruption from the villages.
When night falls, the Torii gates open, and the Seethe will swarm the village in an attempt to steal the maiden’s powers. You’ll face a variety of enemy types, and they’ll come in massive numbers to overwhelm you and the villagers.
You’ll need to constantly adjust your tactics, prioritizing different enemies and defending key areas of the map. As Soh, you have several abilities to help fend off the Seethe and protect the maiden. You can even adjust the villagers’ placements and roles in real time to improve your defense and increase your chances of success.
In the game, you’ll be battling a variety of demons and enemies alongside the villagers to protect the maiden while purifying the villages around Mt. Kafuku. Once you clear an area, it can turn into a base where you can rest, repair, and receive rewards. These bases serve as hubs where you can equip and strengthen Soh.
Your main goal is to purify every part of the mountain and rally the villagers to help you take down the monsters. This forms the core gameplay loop, and it’s incredibly addictive. Even though it can get a bit repetitive at times, especially when replaying missions to level up, it’s generally very rewarding.
The game strikes a great balance of challenge and exciting boss fights to keep things fresh. The gameplay alone makes it worth the purchase. While the story isn’t the main focus, the way the lore is presented—with its mystique, allure, and occasional visual splendor—makes it surprisingly immersive.
Pros of Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
| Things Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess Got Right |
|---|
|
Unique and Addicting Gameplay Beautiful Integration of Japanese Culture Fun Boss Fights |
Unique and Addicting Gameplay
I really hope this type of gameplay inspires more games like it because, wow, this game delivers on every front and somehow makes all these genres work together. It’s easy enough for anyone to pick up, but also packed with layers and upgrades that keep things fresh and engaging. It manages to be deep without being confusing, and most importantly, it’s just a lot of fun.
Beautiful Integration of Japanese Culture
When I call Kunitsu-Gami a spiritual successor to Okami, it’s because the game immerses you in Japanese folklore with the same creative flair. The UI, while initially perplexing due to its unique design, brilliantly complements the game’s atmosphere—like the health bars shaped like Talismans, which add both beauty and a hint of eerie allure. Much like Okami’s freaky Yokai, the spirits and bosses in this game are incredibly imaginative and anything but generic.
While it doesn’t lean as heavily on ink-graphy as Okami, Kunitsu-Gami still blends various art styles to create a visual feast. The lore is just as captivating, with inventive touches like the Maiden’s intricate tattoos and the masks worn by every character. These subtle symbols and artistic choices contribute to the game’s distinctiveness and immersive quality.
Fun Boss Fights
The boss fights in this game are a thrilling mix of challenge and visual spectacle. They’re not just intimidating and creepy, but also strikingly cool design-wise. These encounters can really test your skills, often pushing you to restart stages or grind to level up yourself and your villagers' roles. I especially enjoy the thrill of tackling these bosses again, relishing the challenge and the satisfaction of overcoming them.
Cons of Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
| Things That Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess Can Improve |
|---|
|
Some Weird Design Choices Can Get Repetitive at Times |
Some Weird Design Choices
Kunitsu-Gami has some quirky design choices that might trip you up. The aerial combat can be frustrating—there’s no dedicated air slash button, so you have to string together combos just to hit enemies in the air. Plus, jumping attacks have an odd hitbox, with the animation working against you rather than for you, making it tough to deal with flying Seethe. Commanding your units can also be a bit tricky sometimes; there’s no ability to select all the units to do a specific order beyond simple defense or attack.
The UI, which I generally appreciate for its style, sometimes feels like it sacrifices practicality for aesthetics. Navigating it can be a bit cumbersome, and I wish there was a dash or run button, as the character can feel sluggish at times. These areas could definitely benefit from some quality-of-life improvements and a bit more polish.
Can Get Repetitive at Times
Unfortunately, the game can sometimes fall into a repetitive rhythm, especially during level replays. Grinding is an inevitable part of the experience, and you’ll often find yourself having to slog through areas without the option to fast-forward time, even when you’re waiting for workers to complete tasks in your captured bases. This can become a bit cumbersome and frustrating, adding an extra layer of tedium to your progress.
Is Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess Worth It?
Yes! This Game is a Miracle from the Goddess!
Even with its quirks, Kunitsu-Gami is definitely worth the $50 price tag. The replayability is fantastic, and supporting this game could encourage Capcom to keep experimenting and maybe even bring us a sequel, which this game truly deserves!
| Steam |
PlayStation |
Xbox |
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| $49.99 | ||||||||
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess FAQ
Is Kunitsu-Gami on Gamepass?
Yes, Kuntisu-Gami is available on Game Pass day one.
Does Kunitsu-Gami use RE Engine?
Yes, the game is using the RE Engine.
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Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess Product Information
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| Title | KUNITSU-GAMI: PATH OF THE GODDESS |
|---|---|
| Release Date | July 19, 2024 |
| Developer | CAPCOM Co., Ltd. |
| Publisher | CAPCOM Co., Ltd. |
| Supported Platforms | PC (Steam, Game Pass), PS5, Xbox Series X|S |
| Genre | Action, Strategy, Tower Defense |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| ESRB Rating | T |
| Official Website | Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess Website |
