Strategy games, and the genre as a whole, seem to be always painted as inaccessible to the masses, requiring mastery and time, and not exactly an enjoyable affair unless you happen to be specifically into such things. That is not an incorrect sentiment per se, but with Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, it is easy to argue that Capcom has managed to find a sweet spot with this unique title.
An action-strategy affair that weaves in the art of Kagura—traditional dance-like movements from the Shinto religion in Japan that are used to purify the defiled, it is through this lens that players join in the journey of Soh and Yoshiro, one that pits them against the Seethe. Having played through several levels of the game in an early preview, we are in no doubt that this is a game worth dancing to.
With the journey broken down into levels with varying mechanics, it is easy to understand just what needs to be done in Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess when you first jump in, especially with the help of the tutorials that are included. The end goal is always to get Yoshiro through one or more Torii gates, purify them, and be on your way, and of course, it is never that straightforward.
The demonic Seethe will do everything they can to stop you, but they only come out at night. So it is up to the player to get as much done as possible in the day, in order to prepare for the impending onslaught. This means cleansing corrupted environments and saving the captured villagers, assigning them roles and positioning them, and grabbing necessary resources for future encounters.
Certain areas in the levels may require players to clear away rubble to access, while the useful builder can be tasked to construct certain defensive fortifications to give Soh and the villagers a boost. The battle against time is the one that players will have to take into account the most, as the last thing you would want to do is be caught out when the Seethe starts appearing.
And while the game works quite well already when it comes to positioning your villagers and letting them shine in various roles like the Archer or Woodcutter in combat, the biggest equaliser is the fact that Soh can join in the fight. This gives players more leeway when plans fail, and the warrior is more than a capable force when going up against the Seethe, with combos that can eliminate even the toughest of them. Not to mention the different Tsuba Guard moves that range from explosive melee skills to protective barriers that can change the tide of a particular wave.
Everything might seem manageable, at least, until a later level essentially removes Soh from the equation, forcing you to rely purely on your strategic nous and management of your forces. Another level takes place entirely on water, requiring constant shuttling between invading foes and protecting the boasts from being capsized, while another reduces your visibility unless lamps are lit, forcing you to temper your progress lest you get overeager when fighting back against the darkness.
The variety of roles that can be bestowed upon your villagers, as well as their functionalities, is what gives Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess the balance it needs. As more roles become available, so does your potential strategy against the ever-changing army of Seethe, and with limited crystals to spread around, the tension and, ultimately, the satisfaction are intensified. Being able to change roles at will and moving the villagers to their designated spots easily means there is almost always a solution that can be found, and multiple ways to come out on top.
Perhaps you would prefer an army of melee fighters like the Woodcutters, with Soh acting as the anti-air solution. But a high number of flying Seethe can easily render that strategy moot, which is where Archers come in. Fast-moving enemies can be slowed down by the useful Ascetic, Shamans can heal your troops in a pinch, and Sumo Wrestlers attract the attention of the Seethe as no one else can. While we have not yet seen the full selection of roles available, those we got to use hint at plenty of potential for mixing and matching, and that can only be a good thing.
There are more mechanics that we have yet to see in action as well, such as preparation before levels and the game’s hub area that acts as a safe space in between harrowing encounters with the Seethe, but if it has the same level of care as everything else, our excitement is only increasing.
Furthermore, all of it wrapped in a distinctly Japanese flair, with authentic outfits and beautifully crafted levels helping to elevate the quality on show in Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess. Even though it might not be your usual AAA fare, this is a gorgeous-looking game whether things are peaceful or when the call of combat rings through the night.
Most importantly, it proves that the strategy genre is far from isolating. Not when it’s done with accessibility and interesting mechanics in mind, a distinct goal for the developers. If Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess wasn’t already on your radar, it definitely should be ahead of its upcoming release on July 19 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
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