Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles – It Might Not Be the Best Fighting Game, but It’s the One That Feels Most Like Demon Slayer

Developer: CyberConnect2 | Publisher: SEGA (Global) / Aniplex (Japan) | Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch | Genre: Action Fighting | Languages: Interface and subtitles in Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, French, Italian, German, Spanish – 9 languages in total.

Ask any Demon Slayer fan what game they’d most want to play, and the answer is probably something like this: control Tanjiro yourself, unleash those breathtaking Breathing Styles, and maybe even go head‑to‑head with friends. On October 14, 2021, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles finally made that fantasy playable – first in Japan and Asia, followed by North America and Europe on October 15, and Steam on October 16. Developed by CyberConnect2 and carrying the weight of a blockbuster IP, is it a heartfelt love letter to the series, or just another routine anime tie‑in? By December 2024, global shipments (physical plus digital) had surpassed 4 million units – an impressive number. But now, four years later and with a sequel already out, does it still deserve your money?

Story Mode: From the Beginning to Mugen Train, Relive the Emotion Firsthand

The story mode follows the events of the TV anime from the “Tanjiro Kamado, Unwavering Resolve Arc” all the way through the “Mugen Train Arc”. You step into Tanjiro’s shoes, starting from that tragic night when his family is slaughtered and Nezuko becomes a demon, then journey through every heartbreaking step of his path.

The presentation here is remarkably faithful – lengthy cutscenes re‑create key anime moments, with the original voice cast (Hanae Natsuki, Kito Akari, and others) reprising their roles. Famitsu praised the game’s astonishing fidelity to the source material, noting that the sheer impact of the battle sequences can make you forget to breathe. Even if you’ve already watched the anime multiple times, actually swinging that first sword yourself and reliving those iconic scenes will pull you right back into that world.

That said, the story mode isn’t without its flaws. IGN called out the sluggish movement speed during exploration segments, as well as the sparse interactivity in many areas. Famitsu also noted that immersion suffers from the slow pacing, and that collecting items can feel tedious. Exploration is easily the weakest link in the story campaign. Fortunately, the main story runs about 10 hours or so, so it never overstays its welcome.

Versus Mode: Easy to Pick Up, with Depth to Unlock

The story mode is the fan service, but versus mode is where the game really earns its longevity.

The core is 2‑vs‑2 tag battles. You choose two fighters from the roster – Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu, Inosuke, the nine Hashira, and other characters from the anime – then face off against another duo. The initial roster includes 18 characters, with more added via DLC and updates. The controls are deliberately accessible – Famitsu praised the simple, intuitive inputs, while noting that the counter system still offers a decent challenge. The barrier to entry is low, but mastering a character’s combos and timing your counters consistently still takes practice.

Famitsu gave the game a 33/40 (8/8/9/8) . IGN awarded a 7/10, saying it strikes a decent balance between depth and accessibility, but that the disjointed story mode and limited character selection hold it back.

Bottom line: if you want a fighting game you can pick up and play with friends at a moment’s notice, The Hinokami Chronicles delivers exactly the kind of accessible, flashy versus experience you’d expect from a Demon Slayer game.

Sales and Reception: The 4‑Million‑Unit Milestone

As of December 2024, worldwide shipments (physical plus digital) had exceeded 4 million units – a remarkable achievement for any anime‑licensed fighting game.

Critical reception sits mostly in the low‑to‑mid 70s on Metacritic. Player response, however, has been noticeably warmer. Steam currently rates it “Very Positive”, with over 16,000 user reviews and an approval rating around 87%. Fans largely praise the faithful adaptation and flashy finishers, while criticism tends to target the limited character count, the exploration sections, and the lack of long‑term content after the story ends.

Buying Advice: Is the Original Still Worth It in 2026?

If you want to experience the story from the beginning through Mugen Train, and you just want to play as Tanjiro – the original Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles is still a worthwhile purchase. It’s the closest you’ll get to “becoming Tanjiro” in a game. But don’t pay full price (¥378 on Steam China). Wait for a discount – the historic low on Steam has been around ¥94.5.

If you care more about roster size and long‑term versus play – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles 2 is the better choice. That sequel launched on August 1, 2025 (Steam on August 6), covering the Entertainment District, Swordsmith Village, and Hashira Training arcs, with all nine Hashira and over 40 playable characters total. In terms of content and roster variety, the sequel is clearly the more substantial package.

If you’re a general fighting game fan with no particular attachment to the series – the original probably isn’t for you. Nearly all of its appeal rests on your investment in the Demon Slayer universe. Without that connection, the slow exploration and relatively limited combat depth may not hold your interest. If you’re looking for a deeper competitive fighter first and a Demon Slayer game second, there are stronger options elsewhere.

Copyright Notice: All game screenshots, character images, and related assets used in this article are the property of their respective rights holders. This article is intended solely for game introduction, review, and informational purposes.