Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess

97%
Game Brain Score Based on 523 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess Game Cover
Kunitsu-Gami combines real-time strategy, tower defense, hack 'n slash, and management into the most innovative AAA game of the last decade.
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In "Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess" , you must purify a defilement-covered Japanese mountain during the day and protect a Maiden from assaults by the Seethe at night. The game features Japanese-inspired elements such as Kagura dance, masks, and music that enhance the unique world setting. Repeat this day-night cycle to cleanse the mountain and restore peace to the land. No information available on the release date or developer/publisher.

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Reviews

97%
Audience ScoreBased on 523 reviews
gameplay50 positive mentions
grinding6 negative mentions
  • Kunitsu-Gami offers a unique blend of tower defense and action gameplay, providing a refreshing experience that feels reminiscent of classic PS2 games.
  • The art design and music are outstanding, creating a beautiful atmosphere that immerses players in Japanese folklore.
  • The game encourages replayability with various challenges and unlockable content, making each playthrough engaging and rewarding.
  • The game can be prone to crashes, particularly during loading screens, which can disrupt the gameplay experience.
  • Some players find the tower defense mechanics to be simplistic, leading to repetitive gameplay in later stages.
  • The user interface for managing villagers and upgrades can be clunky and cumbersome, detracting from the overall experience.
  • gameplay163 mentions

    The gameplay of Kunitsu-gami is a unique blend of tower defense, hack-and-slash, and strategy elements, offering a visually stunning experience that keeps players engaged through varied mechanics and challenges. While the core gameplay loop is enjoyable and introduces new elements at a steady pace, some players note that it can become repetitive over time. Overall, the game is praised for its creativity, charm, and the ability to encourage experimentation with different strategies and villager combinations.

    • “The gameplay is a mix of elements that, on their own, could make for a repetitive or even boring experience, but when combined create a feedback loop that kept me saying 'one more...' The pacing is excellent, as each level builds on previous levels with new enemies, abilities, and strategic considerations.”
    • “A gorgeous game that makes me, a person who has never liked tower defense-like gameplay, continually come back to try different strategies and villager combinations to complete all the challenges the game presents.”
    • “The gameplay is smooth and engaging, and as you progress in the story, the gameplay loop gets mixed up in different ways to keep it fresh.”
    • “Gameplay is only decent.”
    • “The game might feel repetitive and slow at first, but after a while, you'll unlock various mechanics and encounter new enemies, making the game more challenging and offering multiple approaches and tactics.”
    • “£40 is a lot for a game that offers almost no variety in gameplay.”
  • story97 mentions

    The game's story, inspired by Japanese folklore, is primarily conveyed through non-verbal storytelling and gestures, creating a unique atmosphere despite its simplicity and lack of dialogue. While some players appreciate the atmospheric and immersive qualities of the narrative, others find it thin and wish for deeper character development and plot complexity. Overall, the story serves as a backdrop to the engaging gameplay, which combines tower defense and action elements, but may leave those seeking a rich narrative wanting more.

    • “The story is shown, not told (as characters generally do not speak) and is based on folk tales and eastern religions.”
    • “It has beautiful art direction, simple but amazing no-word storytelling, accompanied by good genuine gameplay.”
    • “But this game kept compelling me to come back, to finish the story, despite there being almost no words said.”
    • “The story is thin, but it is enough to get the gameplay going.”
    • “Secondly, the plot is very very thin--there's barely any dialogue aside from some narration from the maiden and the conceit that she herself becomes more corrupted as you use her to purify the corruption.”
    • “The story is told through one cutscene and the rest are told by gestures during other cutscenes, so there is very little voice acting in this game, which can be a deal breaker for some people if they expect the entire story to be told through voice acting.”
  • graphics94 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning art style, which draws heavily from traditional Japanese aesthetics and folklore, creating a visually captivating experience. Players appreciate the attention to detail in the environments, character designs, and animations, all complemented by a rich soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere. While some users noted performance issues, the unique and colorful visuals remain a standout feature that elevates the gameplay experience.

    • “Every level feels distinct from the next one, the art design and music are outstanding, the graphics are great, there's a reasonable amount of content that doesn't feel overwhelming and the general atmosphere and vibe of the game is soothing and peaceful to engage with.”
    • “The highlight is the traditional Japanese aesthetics, perfectly done ukiyo-e inspired art style packed with a superb soundtrack and awesome sound effects.”
    • “The art direction, visuals, and animation in this game are absolutely gorgeous.”
    • “Maybe it's because the strategic value is relatively low, maybe because the lack of deep storytelling, or maybe the visuals are rather foreign and non-relatable.”
    • “Most of your money goes to the artwork; gameplay-wise, it is no different from other tower defense games.”
    • “Graphics is not this game's strong suit, but the art style is so pretty, like Okami.”
  • music75 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its exceptional quality, blending traditional Japanese styles with modern influences, creating a diverse soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience. Reviewers highlight the energetic and atmospheric compositions, which perfectly complement the game's visuals and themes, particularly during exploration and boss fights. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's immersive and culturally rich environment.

    • “The highlight is the traditional Japanese aesthetics, perfectly done ukiyo-e inspired art style packed with a superb soundtrack and awesome sound effects.”
    • “The music is very energetic and draws from traditional Japanese music, it also ties with the lore since the act of purification is tied to the priestess and the villagers doing a purification dance, and not only do the characters dance to the beat but the very background itself and the demonic infestation being purified pulses with the beat of the music.”
    • “The soundtrack is really good as well, but the visuals are just gorgeous, especially if you have HDR capable equipment.”
    • “Protip: play some of your favorite music instead of the in-game music if you want to prevent headaches and traumas.”
    • “The only 'extras' are a few costumes and music options that you just get for free.”
    • “I recommend getting the Okami music though, you'll be yearning for some variety.”
  • atmosphere16 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its distinct levels, outstanding art design, and soothing music, creating a beautiful and immersive experience reminiscent of Japanese folklore. Players appreciate the balance between creepy moments during combat and calming village restoration, which enhances the overall vibe. The developers' attention to detail in art assets further enriches the atmosphere, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “Every level feels distinct from the next one, the art design and music are outstanding, the graphics are great, there's a reasonable amount of content that doesn't feel overwhelming and the general atmosphere and vibe of the game is soothing and peaceful to engage with.”
    • “You can tell the developers were quite passionate about this project as they put a lot of work into art assets which have no in-game value but contribute greatly to the feel and atmosphere of the game like Yoshiro's sweets, collectible woodblock prints, and fire etchings.”
    • “Incredible setting and design creates an atmosphere of horror, and tense level design (especially near the end) compliments this.”
    • “The first half of the game is a lot of fun, but as it gets near the end, it becomes much more stressful, especially with the time limit and creepy atmosphere.”
    • “Though if you can't appreciate the atmosphere it's trying to sell you on, that likely won't change.”
  • replayability15 mentions

    Overall, the game offers a solid level of replayability, with players appreciating the fun factor and the variety of side objectives that encourage multiple playthroughs. While some reviewers noted a linear structure that could limit replay value, many found the unlockable content and different strategies available upon replaying levels to enhance the experience. The game's design promotes exploration and experimentation, making it enjoyable to revisit stages for additional challenges and rewards.

    • “Its fun factor and high degree of replayability make this game worth the price of admission, but it's the incredible attention to detail, the visionary artistic sensibility, and the willingness to try weird new ideas that make it truly special.”
    • “The linear nature of the game makes it addictive and gives it strong replay value.”
    • “As is tradition with Capcom titles, the game is big on being replayable with side objectives becoming unlocked after completion and the ability to farm up crystals and rations in easier missions if a more current one is giving you a hard time.”
    • “To me, its main shortcoming is replayability.”
    • “For people concerned about replayability, the game follows the DMC unlock curve where your first playthrough is underpowered and is meant to get you to unlock things.”
    • “Their way adds 'replayability', I guess, but I'd rather know what the objectives are and attempt to do them in one go if possible.”
  • optimization8 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its smooth performance and effective controls, allowing for an engaging gameplay experience. While most players report solid performance, some experience occasional crashes, particularly on older systems. The visuals and gameplay mechanics are also highlighted as well-optimized, contributing to the game's overall appeal.

    • “The control optimization is spot-on, letting you dive into the hack and slash action while effortlessly commanding your villagers to assist you.”
    • “Beautiful game and well optimized.”
    • “Stylish and not ordinary visual, interesting gameplay, perfect optimization (how it must be every time with every game).”
    • “Hoping for some optimization down the line, but it could just be my 2-year-old system starting to feel its age.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, particularly due to the frequent loading screens when visiting bases. While some enjoy the replayability and the opportunity to complete additional quests, the cumbersome trinket menu design adds to the overall frustration, making the grinding experience feel more excessive than necessary.

    • “Grinding is tedious: no two ways about it, this game is a time sink.”
    • “Additionally, the process is rather tedious, as you have to visit each base one by one with a loading screen between every base.”
    • “Pretty fun and encourages replayability, but I usually do each stage twice to grab all the quests, so it's not excessive grinding.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    Kunitsu-gami stands out for its commitment to a full game experience without microtransactions, contrasting sharply with the trend of monetization through cosmetic skins and live service models. This approach reflects the developers' passion, although it may hinder the game's visibility and success in a market increasingly focused on monetization strategies.

    • “Also, they released it as a full game with no microtransactions, unlike a lot of games going towards the live service route.”
    • “Kunitsu-gami is a reminder that great games start with fun and unique experiences, not cosmetic skins and monetization loops disguised as gameplay.”
    • “It's clearly a passion project of someone at Capcom, but I don't think the game is getting the advertisement it deserves; it seems to be disappointingly unnoticed.”
  • character development3 mentions

    The game features impressive character development through a well-crafted story and stunning character design, enhanced by a rich medieval Japanese lore. Players appreciate the balance of action and strategy, alongside a rewarding progression system that includes numerous unlocks and challenges, contributing to a high skill ceiling and replayability. Overall, the character development is highlighted as a standout aspect, complemented by beautiful visuals and engaging pacing.

    • “Great mix of action and strategy with a well-crafted story, amazing character design, and a surprising difficulty curve.”
    • “Steeped in medieval Japanese lore, tons of unlocks, a surprisingly large reward and skill ceiling, in-game challenges, very good pacing, new game+ with unique add-ons, awesome character design... this game just kept surprising me.”
    • “Not to mention how beautiful this game is with the motion capture, character designs, and the levels being amazing in all aspects.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The game features a strong emotional core that enhances the gameplay experience, evoking feelings of pity for the bosses' backstories, relief during pivotal moments, and a bittersweet conclusion that lingers with players.

    • “There's an emotional core that resonates through the gameplay.”
    • “This is a game that made me feel pity for the bosses' backstories, a sense of relief when dawn approaches, and a bittersweet ending.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Players report that the game runs smoothly and remains stable, with no issues encountered during gameplay.

    • “The game runs great and stable in the 2 hours I've played it so far.”
    • “I've experienced no crashes or bugs, making for a smooth gaming experience.”
    • “The stability of the game allows me to fully immerse myself without interruptions.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

82% average critic score

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Play time

6hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
2-13hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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