Kunitsu-Gami: Path Of The Goddess Review – A Mixed Bag of Tower Defense and RPG Action

Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Release Date: July 19th, 2024
Platforms: Windows (Steam, Game Pass)
Price: £40/€50/$50

Capcom has taken a nostalgic trip back to the 2000s with their latest release, Kunitsu-Gami: Path Of The Goddess. This action RPG and tower defense hybrid is a refreshing break from the deluge of open-world and live-service games. While it delivers a decent experience with occasional flashes of brilliance, it ultimately lands as a pretty average time.

Story and Setting

Set on Mt. Kafuku, Kunitsu-Gami's story revolves around a once-peaceful mountain community now overrun by demons. As Soh, you must guide the mystical maiden Yoshiro through her cleansing journey, using your swordsmanship and management skills to rid the mountain of its demonic infestation. The narrative is straightforward, with a clear path of progressively difficult levels, each culminating in a boss fight.

Gameplay Mechanics

The core gameplay is divided into two main parts: tower defense missions and boss battles. The tower defense segments task you with leading Yoshiro safely to Torii gates to dispel the demons. This involves gathering resources, setting up defenses, and managing minions to fend off nighttime onslaughts. Minions come in various archetypes, such as archers, sumo warriors, and healers, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.

However, your role as Soh requires you to be constantly involved in the action, hacking and slashing your way through enemies and collecting orbs to power up your defenses. While some might find this active participation satisfying, it detracts from the traditional tower defense joy of strategic placement and observation.

Combat and Upgrades

Combat in Kunitsu-Gami is a mixed bag. Early boss fights feel repetitive, but later encounters introduce smart scenarios that challenge you to balance attacking the boss and aiding Yoshiro. Unlocking new minions and upgrading their abilities adds some depth, but the upgrades feel uninspired, often boiling down to basic stat boosts.

Base Building and Repairs

Once you cleanse an area, you can revisit it to repair and upgrade your base, generating currency and resources. However, these repair tasks quickly become monotonous, lacking any meaningful interaction or rewards beyond currency collection.

Overall Impression

Kunitsu-Gami: Path Of The Goddess is a game of admirable intent, blending action RPG elements with tower defense mechanics. It captures the nostalgic charm of early 2000s games and offers a decent evening of gaming. Yet, it falls short of fully delivering on its potential. The repetitive gameplay loop and lackluster upgrades make it hard to stay engaged for long.

For those craving a nostalgic trip with a mix of base-building and hack 'n' slash action, Kunitsu-Gami might just hit the spot. However, if you're looking for a tower defense game that truly captivates, this one might only half-deliver on its promise.