Although globally known for sagas like Resident Evil and Monster Hunter, which are very successful within and outside the world of video games, Capcom decided to take an alternative path and create something unprecedented in the studio’s catalog: a hybrid of action and strategy, with strong influences from Japanese culture and mythology. Even being created by one of the most popular studios of today, Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is one of those games that may go unnoticed by the average player, simply because we are talking about an entirely new intellectual property.
### A Game like no other
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is a game unlike any I’ve ever played, an addictive blend of genres, concepts, and mechanics that make it ideal for different types of players: there is a strong action component, appealing to those seeking adrenaline, chaos, and excitement, but there is also a huge focus on strategy, putting more emphasis on your brain rather than your finger agility. This mix of genres, however peculiar it may seem, was executed with great finesse, proving that there is still plenty of room for creativity in the field of video games. The basic concept of the game is simple, although there are numerous systems in place that make it difficult to detail them all in a mere analysis. In short, Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is set in a traditional feudal Japan, with strong magical foundations; unfortunately, an evil force invaded and desecrated the land – the Seethe – and it is now up to the beautiful maiden Yoshiro to defeat it and purify the various locations they destroyed.
Protecting the maiden Yoshiro is the focus
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess can be divided into two forms: a slightly more relaxed one during the day, where you must chart a path for the maiden to walk from one end of the level to the other; simultaneously, you must make the most of this period to organize your “army”, positioning them in key locations to defeat enemies, create various traps and obstacles, or protect Yoshiro herself. However, everything changes when night falls, and this is where the chaos truly begins, with hordes of hideous creatures pouring out of a Torii gate. Together with the soldiers, it is imperative to protect the maiden at all costs, as she is in an extremely vulnerable position, unable to defend herself. Therefore, we can also classify Kunitsu as a tower defense game, and everything ends if the enemies manage to inflict enough damage on her, or if you survive the night’s trials and manage to get Yoshiro through the level. There is a huge variety of Seethe that requires constant resource management; the layout used for a certain level may not be suitable for the next, so the nights in Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess require maximum attention and almost constant changes in the positioning and types of our troops. It would be expected that the game would fall into a repetitive spiral, but Capcom managed to bring new and surprising mechanics in each one of them, catching me off guard and showing me that, no matter how prepared I am, there is always room for disaster. In a certain level, the warrior Soh becomes unusable, and success relies on the remaining soldiers; in another, we fought on a fleet of weak wooden boats; further on, poisonous swamps are introduced that cause damage as soon as we step on them.
Day preparation, night combat
Everything changes instantly, sometimes almost sadistically, and this is something that players must always be prepared for. In a particularly challenging phase, the villagers fighting alongside Soh mysteriously disappear, leaving only him to defend the maiden during the frantic and dangerous nights. Capcom did everything to provide players with the most variable experience possible, and the results are incredible, thrilling, and with an extremely high level of challenge.
## Simplistic yet Fascinating Story
Wrapped in an appealing Japanese mythology, Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess kept me glued to the screen. The story is practically nonexistent, and the characters don’t even speak, but there’s a certain allure that draws us into this world. The maiden Yoshiro, with unmatched beauty, captivates us with her elegant dance moves, while Soh, even wearing a mask, exudes an aura of power and determination. I want to know more about these characters, and I hope Capcom doesn’t end the narrative of Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess here – whether through a sequel, comic book, or another form of entertainment, I eagerly await new information about this universe.
## Cult Classic on the Horizon
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess has all the ingredients to become a cult classic game. It may not be widely recognized now – especially in the shadow of heavyweights like Resident Evil or Monster Hunter – but sometimes it takes years for players to recognize a masterpiece. With a very well-executed blend of genres and surrounded by a simplistic yet immensely potential narrative, Capcom continues its wave of successes.
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