CyberConnect2 returns with Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2, a sequel that builds directly on the first game’s foundation. Published by SEGA, this follow-up continues the studio’s arena fighting formula while expanding its story, roster, and unlockable content.
Just like its predecessor, The Hinokami Chronicles 2 adapts major arcs from the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba anime. This time, the story covers the Entertainment District Arc, the Swordsmith Village Arc, and the Hashira Training Arc. That takes you through seasons two to four of the show, with each arc split across multiple playable chapters. If you’ve seen the anime, you’ll recognize key locations, bosses, and cinematic moments. If not, the game includes a recap mode that revisits six major fights from earlier episodes.
This sequel doesn’t try to reinvent the format. Instead, it expands it. The roster now includes over 40 fighters, including new Hashira and Upper Rank demons. There’s also more to unlock, with new training routes, team gear loadouts, and a larger focus on replay value. Whether you’re here for the story or quick versus matches, there’s more to dig into this time around.
From Courtesans to Hashira
The story mode in Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2 picks up right after the Mugen Train arc and runs through the Entertainment District, Swordsmith Village, and Hashira Training arcs. That means you’re getting seasons two to four of the anime, split across playable chapters with cutscenes, fights, and short exploration.
You’ll switch between characters during major encounters, with battles matching key moments from the show. Some fights even shift mid-match, keeping things interesting without dragging out scenes. Cutscenes are mostly in-engine, with still images and full voice acting in English or Japanese. Memory Fragments and dialogue scenes help fill in gaps, though the story moves fast. That quick pace works for action, but it skips a lot of the smaller character beats.
Between battles, you’ll find collectibles, talk to side characters, and complete simple objectives. Some sections use unique skills like Zenitsu’s hearing or Tanjiro’s tracking. They don’t last long, but they help break up the flow between fights. If you missed the first game, there’s an Abridged Story mode that walks through six earlier battles. It’s not a full recap, but it helps.
The Daki and Gyutaro fight was where it really clicked for me. Switching characters mid-battle while dodging huge attacks felt great. It had a nice flow, and the pacing kept things moving without turning into a mess. That fight showed just how well this format can handle big anime moments.
Flashy Combos and Tag Team Chaos
The core combat in Hinokami Chronicles 2 sticks to CyberConnect2’s arena fighter formula. You battle in open 3D stages using one or two characters per team. Each character has a basic combo, special moves, and an Ultimate Art that triggers a flashy finisher once your metre is full.
You’ve got the usual defensive options like blocking, parrying, and dodging. There’s also Surge Mode, which boosts your speed and damage for a short time. Some character pairs even have a Dual Arts move if they match up right, giving team battles an extra edge. One of the biggest changes this time is gear loadouts. You can equip buffs that boost your stats or trigger effects like healing when your health drops. Certain boss fights actually felt easier once I swapped gear around mid-story. In one case, I was struggling with poison damage until I equipped a resistance item. That small change turned the whole fight around.
Combat feels fast and snappy, but there’s still room for strategy. You can call in your support character mid-combo to extend pressure or break an opponent’s rhythm. I was swapping between Tanjiro and Mitsuri, trying to keep pressure on, and somehow kept the combo going way longer than planned. It was chaotic, but it worked. Outside of standard fights, the game throws in short minigames and musou-style segments with groups of enemies. They’re simple, but help break things up in story mode.
Not every character feels unique, and some have very similar movesets, but the variety is better than last time. With over 40 fighters, there’s plenty to mess around with.
Style Over Subtlety
Hinokami Chronicles 2 goes all in on style. CyberConnect2’s cutscenes, camera work, and animations match the anime’s big moments with style. Story scenes use a mix of in-game cinematics and still images, backed by full voice acting in both English and Japanese.
The character models look sharp, especially during Ultimate Arts. Attacks explode with colour, movement, and over-the-top camera sweeps. Dual Arts push that even further, depending on which pair of fighters you use. Each one gets its own cinematic finish, and they all go big on effects.
I played on PS5 and the game runs at 60 frames per second, which keeps combat smooth. I didn’t run into stutters during regular matches or story fights. Cutscenes also held steady, though it’s possible some Ultimate Arts drop the framerate slightly when things get extra flashy. There’s still a lot happening on-screen, and it can get noisy. Some particle effects clutter the view during heavy combos. Character movement also gets a bit stiff outside of fights, especially when turning or sprinting in exploration zones.
Voice acting is solid across both languages. I started with English this time and stuck with it through the story. Inosuke’s performance stood out the most for me. His voice matched the chaos of his scenes without sounding forced. Menus, load screens, and visual effects all match the anime’s style. Even small touches like character portraits and pause menu layouts feel polished.
CyberConnect2 knows how to deliver on spectacle, and this sequel keeps that bar high. If you’re here for flashy animation and faithful designs, you’ll get plenty of both.
Online Brawls and Local Duels
After finishing the story, Hinokami Chronicles 2 gives you a few ways to keep the action going. Versus Mode works both online and offline, with support for one-on-one or two-on-two battles. Offline is fine for testing combos or messing around with friends, but it’s pretty bare. There’s not much to unlock, and fights don’t track progress. Online is where things get more interesting.
Ranked matches pair you up with others close to your level. If you’d rather keep it casual, you can join lobbies and play group matches. Some rooms rotate winners, others let you queue up in teams or enter tournaments. It’s a solid mix.
Gear loadouts carry over into non-ranked matches. You can tweak your setup to boost defense, recover health, or resist poison. One time, I forgot to remove a poison resist buff and still ended up surviving a match I should’ve lost. It didn’t make me good, but it definitely helped. Match stability felt better than the first game. It’s not perfect, there’s no rollback or crossplay, but I didn’t hit major lag. Just don’t expect a tournament-ready experience.
You can also earn new profile decorations and level up characters as you go. It’s a decent reason to stick around after finishing the main content.
Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2 Proves a Sequel Doesn’t Need to Be Bigger to Be Better
Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2 doesn’t shake up the formula, but it makes smart changes that give you more to do. The expanded roster, new gear system, and added modes go a long way. Whether you’re in it for the story or casual battles, there’s something here worth sticking with.
The pacing in story mode feels tighter this time, even if some emotional moments get brushed aside. Still, it’s a solid way to revisit the arcs. I didn’t expect to enjoy the Hashira Training arc as much as I did, but seeing those interactions in a playable format added something extra. Having both voice tracks available also helped keep me interested across longer sessions.
Combat feels just as punchy as before. Assist swaps, Dual Arts, and gear builds kept me experimenting, even after finishing the story. I probably spent too much time trying to chain combo resets online just to land one flashy finish, but it was worth it. The game doesn’t demand that you dig into the systems, but it rewards you for doing so.
Multiplayer isn’t perfect, and the lack of rollback or crossplay limits the online scene. But for casual matchups and quick team battles, it still holds up well.
If you liked the first Hinokami Chronicles, this one improves on just about every part of it. And if you’re a Demon Slayer fan looking to relive some great moments through flashy fights and clean visuals, it delivers on that too.
Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2
Summary
Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2 refines the arena fighter formula with smoother combat, new gear systems, and expanded modes. The story mode moves quickly through three major anime arcs, with flashy boss fights and a large cast of unlockable characters. Online play offers casual and ranked options, though the lack of rollback and crossplay still stings. It’s not a reinvention, but it’s a smarter, more complete sequel that delivers where it counts.
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