Tokyo Game Show 2021] "Blade of Demons: Hinokami Bloodwind Tan" Experience Report! The perfect balance between simple controls and a deep game system is wonderful!

Tokyo Game Show 2021, the world's largest game trade fair, is currently being held from September 30 to October 3, 2021.
For the first time in two years, the show was held for real visitors (only press reporters and influencers were allowed to enter), and many topical and new titles were available for test play.

The Akiba Research Institute editorial staff also attended Tokyo Game Show 2021! We had a chance to try out some of the titles we were interested in.
So, the "Tokyo Game Show 2021 Trial Play Report" begins, begins, begins!

A detailed tutorial while enjoying the story
One of the most notable titles at this year's game show was "Demon Slayer: Hinokami Kifuutan" (Demon Slayer: Hinokami Blood Tale). The game was developed by Cyber Connect Two, which has an established reputation for games based on Jump manga such as "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle," "Dragon Ball Z: KAKAROT," and "Naruto: NARUTIMATE HERO" series. The company's careful game productions, which always respect the works of others, have been the talk of the town, so expectations are high for this year's game as well.
We were able to experience one of these highly anticipated games ahead of the rest! This time, we tried out the PlayStation 5 version.

We started with the solo play mode!
In Solo Play Mode, you control the main character, Tanjiro Kamado, and follow the story from the first anime season, "Tanjiro Kamado Risshihen," to the movie "Mugen Trainhen.

The game opens with a training episode against Rusty Rabbit.
This battle also serves as a tutorial, where you will learn how to control the game one by one as the battle progresses.
The first thing that overwhelmed me was the high level of reproduction of the characters using computer graphics. It is as if you are really watching an animated film, as Sumijiro, the character you are controlling, moves around.

After the first round, which also served as a tutorial, the second round began, in which the players were to go head-to-head.
What? Out of the blue? Don't be at all surprised. The game is designed to be light user-friendly, with easy-to-use controls that allow the player to perform spectacular actions.

Basically, you attack enemies with the "Normal Attack" button, chase after them with the "Tracking Dash" button, and release techniques by consuming your technique gauge with the △ button. Once these three operations are learned, the player can fight like one. Even if you are playing with a mess, you should be able to win the CPU battles in the early stages of the game without getting bogged down.

Now, the battle with Rusty Rabbit is reaching its climax. When you finally catch up with Rusty Rabbit, QTE (Quick Time Event) is triggered! You have to perform the specified operation or press the button at the right time within the allotted time.

The content of the battle and the success or failure of the QTE are reflected in the rating when clearing the stage, and if the rating is high, the story unfolds as in the original story. If the rating is high, the story will be told as it was in the original story.

Various Situations to Replicate the Original Story
One of the features of this title is that it is not just a fighting game.

In the final selection episode, which takes place in the Fujisou Mountains, you control Sumijiro as he explores the mountains. On the field, there are "KIMETSU POINTS," which are needed to open the "Reward Panel," and there is a "Reward Mission" sub-mission. Although they do not directly affect the completion of the game itself, they provide an element of challenge.

When a checkpoint is reached, a battle between two demons begins. From here, the controls switch to normal battles.

I see that while the game is based on a battle action game, there are various elements scattered throughout the game. The game offers a wide variety of situations, so you will be able to follow the storyline without getting bored.

At the Tamayo residence in Asakusa, a battle unfolds between Suzamaru and Yahaba, just as in the original story.

Here, the battle is a one-on-two battle. When battling multiple enemies, you can switch targets by pressing the R3 button.

As the battle progresses, Nezuko joins the fray. The game then moves on to individual battles between Sumijiro vs. Yawaba and Priestess vs. Shusamaru. The player controls not only Sumijiro, but also Priestess.

Here, the battle unfolds in an excellent recreation of the original story. When Yapa-ha releases the blood demon technique "Benijie no Ya," an arrow flies out and if it hits, the player is blown high into the sky. The arrow's force can then be canceled out by releasing the technique in the opposite direction. This action is also indicated by a button press like a QTE, so don't miss that moment!

Shusamaru, on the other hand, will fire his ball with tremendous force. The trajectory of the ball will be displayed before the attack is launched, so you will have to attack through the gap. I wondered if the players could exchange kicks like in the original game, but I could not confirm this during the test play. Perhaps the scene was recreated with QTEs, but my time was up at this point!
Hmmm, I want to play more! The experience was so exciting that it made me want to play more!

Let's enjoy the battle mode by tag-teaming freely!
Next, we experienced the battle mode. In the battle mode, you can enjoy 2 vs. 2 tag-team battles.

Characters include main characters such as Tanjiro Kamado, Priestess Kamado, Zenitsu Wagatsuma, and Inosuke Zukihira, as well as the pillar demons Yoshiyuu Tomioka, Shinobu Butterfly, and Kyoujuro Purgatory. In addition to the rather reluctant characters such as Mr. Rinkutaki and Mr. Murata, the official spin-off anime "Chugakko Koukou Gakuen Monogatari" will also be participating. KIMETSU GAKUEN MONOGATARI" will also participate.

Characters who are closely related to each other in the original story can fight in a tag-team battle, and it is also possible to have a tag-team of characters who have no connection to each other at all - the Oni Killing Squad and the demons. When the "Fighting Gauge" is accumulated, the player can switch with an uncontrolled partner, call them up to attack, or leave the scene in an emergency from an enemy attack.

Character performance is rather similar to that of the original work, with Purgatory-san being as strong as a demon god and Murata-san being really weak. However, by making full use of the various systems described below, even lower-ranked characters can compete well with higher-ranked characters.

Incidentally, Editor A played against Director K, who chose the Priestess & Makomo tag team with Mr. Purgatory & Murata tag team. Although Mr. Purgatory's overwhelming strength gave him the upper hand in the early stages of the match, he was defeated by the onslaught of Neidouko when he took the baton to Mr. Murata, who had a comfortable advantage over him. It was a nightmare, nightmare, nightmare.
In the battle mode, the choice of partner is also important.

The battle mode is online, so you can play against players from all over the world. Brush up your skills and get ready for the battle.

A game system with simple controls for deep tactics
As mentioned above, the game features a simple control system, but in order to get a higher rating in solo play mode or to increase your winning percentage in versus mode, you must make full use of a variety of systems.

The combination of △+L3 and △+R1 enables other techniques, as well as strong attacks activated by L1+□ and grabbing techniques activated by □+R1 (Sumijiro's grabbing technique is, of course, a head butt).

In addition to blocking enemy attacks by guarding with the R1 button, the "Sori" (which is triggered by quickly pressing down the L3 stick) can be used to break the opponent's posture.
In addition, the player can use the "Open" function, which temporarily increases attack power and speed by consuming the Okugi/Open Gauge, and the "Full Open" function, which allows the player to use as many techniques as he or she wants, as well as further power-ups by consuming another Okugi/Open Gauge, are unique to this title. The "full release" feature allows the player to use as many techniques as he or she wants.

When the player decides to use the "Okugi" technique, which consumes one gauge to unleash a powerful move, a powerful performance is unleashed. The damage dealt is proportional to the performance, so it is important to know when to open up and when to perform Okugi.

In this way, novice players can enjoy the simple and easy operation of the game, while those familiar with the game can make full use of the various systems and enjoy the deep action.
Demon Slayer" has been popular among men and women of all ages and has become a major hit content representing 2025, and the game has been shrewdly designed for everyone to enjoy.
With the second season of the "Demon Slayer" anime now airing, the excitement of the game is growing rapidly. Why don't you experience the excitement of "Demon Slayer" in the game as well?

Game Information

Demon Slayer Hinokami Kifu Tan
Genre: Kimetsu battle action
Supported platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Steam, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Players: 1 to 2 players (online support)
Release date: October 14, 2021
CERO: C (for ages 15 and up)
Developer: Cyber Connect Two Inc.
Publisher: Aniplex Corporation

Normal Edition (packaged version)
Supported platforms: PS4, PS5
Price: 8,360 yen (tax included)
＜Contents
Demon Slayer Hinokami Kifu Tan" full length software
<Included in the initial production
Demon Slayer Hinokami Kifuutan" original IC card sticker
<Early purchase bonus
A4 clear file (image visual / second image visual) newly drawn by ufotable

Normal Edition (Download Edition)
Supported platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Steam
Price: 8,360 yen (including tax)
<Contents
Demon Slayer: Hinokami: Blood of the Dragon

<Bonus for purchasing the downloadable version
Early release key: "KIMETSU Gakuen Tanjiro Kamado
Avatars: "Tanjiro Kamado" and "Kamado Priestess
（Avatar: "Tanjiro Kamado" and "Kamakado Priestess" (available only on PS4, PS5 and Steam)
Demon Slayer Hinokami Bloodwind Tan" theme (PS4 and Steam only)
（Demon Slayer Hinokami Blood Tale" theme (PS4, PS5, Steam only)

<Pre-order benefits
Early release keys: "KIMETSU Gakuen Giyu Tomioka" and "KIMETSU Gakuen Shinobu Butterfly
Avatar: "Tanjiro Kamado (final selection)
(Only available on PS4, PS5 and Steam)

■Limited edition with figure multi-stand
Supported platforms: PS4
Price: 16,280 yen (tax included)
<Contents
Demon Slayer Hinokami Kifu Tan" software
Demon Slayer: Hinokami Bloodwind Tale" original figure multi-stand
Digital content product code
kurimetsu academy: Tanjiro Kamado, Kamaton Priestess, Zenitsu Wagatsuma, Inosuke Zuidaira, and Kemetsu Academy
13 avatar sets: "Tanjiro Kamado," "Priestess Kamado," "Zenitsuko Wagatsuma," "Inosuke Zuhei," "Giyu Tomioka," "Shinobu Butterfly," "Anjuro Purgatory," "Sakonji Rinkutaki," "Rusty Rabbit," "Makomoko," "Murata," "Tanjiro Kamado (Hinokami Kagura)," "Tanjiro Kamado (final selection)"
In-game costumes: "Butterfly House Patient Clothes" (Tanjiro Kamado/Zenitsu Wagatsuma/Inosuke Zuppei)
kimetsu point: 8,000 points
kojiru: "Demon Slayer Hinokami Kofu Tan" theme
kui "Demon Slayer Hinokami Kifuutan" dynamic custom theme

<Included in the initial production bonus
Demon Slayer Hinokami Kifuutan" original IC card sticker

<Early purchase bonus
A4 clear file (image visual / second image visual) newly drawn by ufotable

Deluxe Edition
Supported platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Steam
Price: 9,900 yen (including tax)
<Contents
Demon Slayer: Hinokami: The Blood of the Demon

<Bonus for purchasing the downloadable version
Early release key: "KIMETSU Gakuen Tanjiro Kamado
Avatars: "Tanjiro Kamado" and "Kamado Priestess" (available for PS4, PS5 and Steam only)
Demon Slayer Hinokami Bloodwind Tan" theme (available only for PS4 and Steam)

<Deluxe Edition Benefits
Early release key: "KIMETSU Gakuen: Priestess Kamado", "KIMETSU Gakuen: Zenitsu Wagatsuma", "KIMETSU Gakuen: Inosuke Kusudaira".
Set of 10 avatars: "Zenitsu Wagatsuma", "Zuhei Inosuke", "Giyu Tomioka", "Shinobu Butterfly", "Anjuro in Purgatory", "Sakonji Rinkutaki", "Rusty Rabbit", "Makomoko", "Murata", "Tanjiro Kamado (Hinokami Kagura)".
　(Available on PS4, PS5 and Steam only)
In-game costumes: "Butterfly House Patient Clothes" (Tanjiro Kamado/Zenitsu Wagatsuma/Inosuke Kizuhira)
Kimetsu Point: 8,000 points
Demon Slayer Hinokami Bloodwind Tan" dynamic custom theme (for PS4 only)

<Pre-order benefits
Early release key: "KIMETSU Gakuen - Giyu Tomioka" "KIMETSU Gakuen - Shinobu Butterfly
Avatar: "Tanjiro Kamado (final selection)" (available for PS4, PS5, and Steam only)

Game Outline
<Solo Play Mode
In Solo Play Mode, players can relive the path of Tanjiro Kamado as depicted in the "Demon Slayer" anime by themselves. It includes episodes from the TV anime "Tanjiro Kamado Tatsushihen," in which Tanjiro joins the Demon Slayer Squad and confronts a variety of demons, to the movie version of "Infinity Train," in which he joins up with the flame pillar, Kyoujuro Purgatory, and goes on a mission.
The powerful graphics and expressions of the battles with the demons depicted in the anime can be enjoyed.

＜Versus Mode
In addition to Tanjiro Kamado, Priestess Kamado, and 12 other characters from the "Demon Slayer" anime, the game also includes the official "Demon Slayer" spin-off "Chugakusei!
KIMETSU GAKUEN MONOGATARI," the official spin-off of "Demon Slayer," plus six characters from "KIMETSU GAKUEN MONOGATARI.
Players can create their ideal tag team and enjoy competing against each other, including combinations that fought together in the anime as well as dream combinations that were not depicted in the anime.

Game screenshots are from the development stage.
The correct spelling of "禰" is "ne" + "爾".
The Chinese character for "Ren" in "Kyoujuro" is correctly written as "fire" and "east".

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