Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2 review — A stunning sequel

Demon Slayer is still one of the most loved manga and anime series out there, being praised for strong, heartfelt storytelling and exceptional visuals. A few years ago, we reviewed Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles on the Nintendo Switch, which follows the early story, from Tanjiro’s training up through the Mugen Train. The story continues in Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2, which I’ve had the pleasure of playing on the Nintendo Switch 2. This sequel builds on what the first game established, throwing us back into one of the most captivating stories in anime.

The first game covered season one as well as Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train. The sequel picks up months later, with Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke being given the important and amusing task of infiltrating the Entertainment District to uncover secrets of the vanishing courtesans. Of course, fans of the anime will already know what transpired, however, I’ll keep the story details to a minimum for those who may not be as deep down the demon pit.

The Entertainment District Arc was a great re-introductory point, helping me to get reacquainted with the controls and characters. Not much has changed between games. Much like before, most of your time will be spent exploring narrow paths with little deviation, other than finding a few hidden items in each area, before launching into a cinematic sequence, and eventually some combat. The combat is simple, with X and Y for attacks, A to dodge, B to jump, R to block, ZL for attack boost, ZR for Ultimate Art, and L for Support/Demon Skill. The battles are exciting as you take on entirely new demons with crazy and unique attacks of their own, and you get to play as more characters, learning their attacks and skills.

The same beautiful artwork and animations make a return, with the iconic voice talent also reprising their roles, instantly setting the tone for the continuation of the series. The stakes couldn’t be higher and the intensity can be felt at every turn, although laced with charming Demon Slayer humor and Zenitsu’s awkwardness. Nezuko is just not into you!

The campaign takes around 10 hours to complete, ending on a cliffhanger that leaves you aching for more. Thankfully Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle already released in July, and part 2 isn’t too far away. In the meantime, you can hop into VS Mode to go head-to-head with a friend or against the CPU offline, which is good practice for when you decide to go into an Online Match to prove your demon slaying superiority. Unfortunately, these battles have not gone much in my favor. It’s best I stick to keeping the Butterfly Mansion nice and tidy. You can also relive The Path of the Demon Slayer, replaying battles from throughout the story to earn additional rewards.