Toukiden 2

81%
Game Brain Score Based on 503 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Toukiden 2 Game Cover
Despite these shortcomings, make no mistake – I had an absolute blast with Toukiden 2.
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Toukiden 2 is an action RPG set in a vast open world, where players fight demons, customize their characters and weapons, and advance the story through exploration. The game introduces new characters, oni, mitama, weapons, and multiplayer mode for up to 4 players to play together. Players can also use the Demon Hand for powerful targeted destruction.

Play Modes

Reviews

81%
Audience ScoreBased on 503 reviews
story84 positive mentions
grinding35 negative mentions
  • The game features a vast improvement over its predecessor, with better graphics, smoother gameplay, and an engaging story.
  • Combat is fast-paced and enjoyable, with a variety of weapons and skills that allow for diverse playstyles.
  • The open-world design allows for exploration and discovery, making the game feel more immersive.
  • The game lacks mouse support, making it difficult to play without a controller.
  • Some players have reported crashes and performance issues, particularly related to CPU usage.
  • The multiplayer aspect is limited, with a small player base and no open-world co-op.
  • story341 mentions

    The story in Toukiden 2 is generally regarded as a strong point, with many players appreciating its engaging narrative and character development, particularly in comparison to other monster-hunting games. While some find the plot predictable and filled with anime tropes, others enjoy its emotional depth and world-building, noting that it effectively drives gameplay. However, the multiplayer experience is criticized for lacking story progression, limiting players to mission-based gameplay without the narrative context found in single-player mode.

    • “The story is decent, very 'Japanese' though in all the good ways.”
    • “Not only is the gameplay fast-paced and fun, but the story, characters, and world-building are great too.”
    • “The story and characters are reasonably okay, and the plot may not be a work of art, but it makes the world work.”
    • “The story is asinine, bland, and stupidly catering to Japanese anime tropes while lacking any real player involvement.”
    • “The story is fairly run-of-the-mill stuff and pretty lame/cheesy.”
    • “The actual online missions were fine; however, once we finished and my brother left the lobby, he was not returned to town but rather dumped into the desert oasis area in the age of chaos, which he had not unlocked in single-player.”
  • gameplay149 mentions

    The gameplay in Toukiden 2 is generally praised for its fluidity and depth, offering a mix of hack-and-slash mechanics and monster hunting similar to the Monster Hunter series, but with unique features like the "demon hand" for enhanced mobility and combat. Players appreciate the variety of weapons and the strategic use of mitama, though some find the gameplay can become repetitive over time. Overall, it is considered a fun and engaging experience, especially for fans of the genre, despite some technical and interface issues.

    • “There is a long list of movesets for players to master, combined with different kinds of mitama portrayed in beautiful 2D artwork, giving players the opportunity to strategize with their gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is fluid and fast-paced, offering a lot to do at endgame, and even after playing this for over 140 hours, I still keep coming back to play it for a short bit every now and then.”
    • “The demon hand and 'soul dash' mechanics make traversing the world fun, and the actiony yet precise gameplay is both fun and rewarding.”
    • “The gameplay was very floaty and completely unsatisfying.”
    • “I'm disappointed by the gameplay; the dialogue is boring and lifeless, and there aren't many combos you can do. The aim with the gun is trash.”
    • “This is an action RPG game that focuses on hunting demons/large monsters, but the gameplay depth is very shallow compared to Monster Hunter.”
  • graphics133 mentions

    The graphics of Toukiden 2 receive mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the art style is appealing and the character customization is extensive, the overall graphical fidelity feels dated, often resembling last-generation titles. Some users appreciate the game's aesthetic and the beauty of its 2D artwork, but others criticize the performance issues and lack of high-resolution support, indicating that the graphics do not stand out compared to contemporary games. Overall, while the visuals may not be cutting-edge, they are deemed adequate for the gameplay experience, especially for fans of the genre.

    • “The graphics are great, even if the Asian-punk art design can be anywhere from baffling to ridiculous at times, but generally crafting new gear and upgrading feels rewarding, and you'll generally be happy with your new look.”
    • “The terrain, effects, particles, and everything about the graphics were enhanced.”
    • “Graphics are nice for this kind of game!”
    • “The graphics are clearly not a selling point.”
    • “The graphics are that of a port from a handheld, so expect last-gen quality console tier if you ramp it up.”
    • “The only bad things I can say about this game so far is that it does feel like a last generation game as far as the graphics, dialog, and interface is concerned.”
  • grinding36 mentions

    The reviews indicate that grinding in the game is a mixed experience; while some players find it enjoyable and manageable due to various mechanics that facilitate farming and combat, others describe it as tedious and repetitive, particularly in the post-game. The presence of AI companions and a robust character-building system helps mitigate some of the grind, but the necessity of farming for materials and the pacing can detract from the overall enjoyment for some players. Overall, the game's grindiness seems to appeal to those who appreciate combat-focused gameplay, though it may feel monotonous to others.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “About as monotonous and tedious a Monster Hunter clone as you're ever likely to find.”
    • “Grinding comes into play at high rank where everything needs rare materials to craft/upgrade.”
  • optimization23 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game has received mixed reviews. While some players report smooth performance and stable frame rates, others highlight significant issues, particularly with crashing and high CPU usage, suggesting it is a poorly optimized port from consoles. However, many users have found that adjusting system settings can lead to a much-improved experience, indicating that performance may vary based on individual setups.

    • “Overall, however, performance is much better than Kiwami.”
    • “Other than that, this game supports 60 fps and is optimized very well; the graphics are also taken from the PS4 version, yet again, so while not absolutely stunning, the visuals are very clean and solid.”
    • “I'm absolutely loving this game; I'm writing this review early on in playtime, but so far no bugs, glitches, or issues; the game runs smoothly.”
    • “In case people are complaining about how terrible the optimization of this game is.”
    • “Bought this during a sale despite reading numerous reports about how it is a bad port, poorly optimized, and takes huge amounts of CPU no matter what is going on in the game.”
    • “There's no hiding that it's a port of a game optimized for consoles.”
  • music20 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its captivating and iconic soundtrack, enhancing the overall atmosphere and emotional depth of the experience. Many players describe the score as beautiful and fitting, with a variety of tracks that suit different gameplay situations, although some note a repetition of themes from previous titles. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the game's strong world-building and engaging narrative.

    • “The music is iconic and...not gonna lie... some of them are giving me eargasm, few are soothing, while others are rocking depending on the situation the player is having.”
    • “The game itself has strong world building, satisfying gameplay, captivating soundtrack, and a positively emotional story.”
    • “Firstly, I will say that I love this game's soundtrack.”
    • “There is some background music.”
    • “2.) Turning off music disabled cinematic voice.”
    • “Graphics got improved, battle system got improved, and mitamas got more diverse, new music and illustrations, which give it more fun to play the game.”
  • humor10 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its amusing mechanics, such as limb destruction and funny interactions with side characters, which often play on familiar archetypes. Players appreciate the cheesy moments in cutscenes and dialogues, finding them genuinely entertaining, even amidst a somewhat lackluster plot. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted touch that enhances the gaming experience.

    • “One of my favorite additions that had me laughing to the point of tears is the limb destruction.”
    • “They tend to be based off certain archetypes, but some interactions were genuinely funny.”
    • “Also some cheesy funny moments with the cutscenes or character dialogues.”
  • stability9 mentions

    The stability of the game is mixed, with some users experiencing significant issues such as crashes and graphical glitches, particularly on AMD hardware. However, others report smooth performance at 60fps with minimal bugs, indicating that experiences may vary widely depending on system configurations. Overall, while some players enjoy a stable experience, others face frustrating stability problems that hinder gameplay.

    • “The game runs great at 1080p/60 without breaking a sweat, full screen, and controls well with a controller.”
    • “No problems, no glitches, can run at 60fps.”
    • “Yes, the port runs great at 60 fps.”
    • “I tried uninstalling and reinstalling, I tried restarting my computer, I followed the troubleshooting guide in the readme it came with; but no matter what I did, whenever I hit the play button, it crashed before it even got started booting up; so ultimately, I had to refund it and all its DLC.”
    • “Usually that is not an issue, however Toukiden 2 only seems to support FXAA which is not an option for AMD, so when using the AMD card I end up having a bit to a lot of graphical glitches (seriously depending on the camera angle parts of my character's hair just vanished, etc)...”
    • “Cons: this game is buggy.”
  • atmosphere9 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is a blend of nostalgic visuals and a captivating Japanese-inspired setting, effectively immersing players in a fantasy world. While some elements may feel dated, the semi-open world design, engaging NPC interactions, and distinct environmental styles contribute to a rich and beautiful atmosphere, enhanced by a fitting musical score. Overall, it successfully evokes a sense of belonging within a larger narrative.

    • “I did get my fix for the atmosphere of a fantasy Japan I was looking for.”
    • “Sometimes a little bit weeb-ish atmosphere.”
    • “I picked this up because I wanted a game with a Japanese setting and atmosphere, but didn't feel ready to tackle Nioh or Sekiro.”
    • “The areas themselves are all nicely rendered, each having its own distinct style and atmosphere.”
  • replayability7 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is viewed as inconsistent; while some players appreciate the connection to the story and find it worth revisiting, others criticize the lack of substantial endgame content and argue that it doesn't justify the price. Comparisons to games with more expansive worlds, like Fallout, highlight the perceived shortcomings in replay value.

    • “I may find myself replaying this game as it has good replayability and it has created a connection to me through the story.”
    • “A game like Fallout has replayability with a massive world and whatnot.”
    • “- good replay value”
    • “There isn't really any replayability or endgame, but that's okay.”
    • “Sadly, the game doesn't have much replayability or much going for it endgame.”
  • character development6 mentions

    Character development in the game is highlighted as a strong point, with several moments that effectively engage players throughout the campaign. However, some characters lack depth and backstory, serving primarily functional roles in gameplay. Overall, the character design and voice acting are praised, contributing positively to the overall experience.

    • “There were some really good character development moments, and frankly it’s enough to keep most people engaged throughout the campaign mode.”
    • “- Very good character design and voice acting, I loved it.”
    • “Each character design with their looks/personality is on point.”
    • “Some of them are just 'there' to fill holes in weapon representation and don't get much character development or backstory.”
    • “Story not bad; character design good; PC port terrible; combat enjoyable; graphics dated.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    The game is praised for its strong emotional storytelling and character development, evoking deep feelings and even tears from players. While the gameplay is considered easy, the emotional connection fostered through world-building and a captivating soundtrack enhances the overall experience.

    • “The game itself has strong world building, satisfying gameplay, captivating soundtrack, and a positively emotional story.”
    • “Story 9/10. This is the first game of my adulthood (I'm 19, so it hasn't been long) that made me shed quite a few tears due to the emotional bond I felt with the characters of this game.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the monetization strategy for these ports is perceived as exploitative, with many users feeling that they are primarily designed as quick cash grabs, lacking any commitment to ongoing support or quality.

    • “These ports are basically quick cash grabs, and it seems they have little to no intention from the onset to provide any sort of support for these games.”
    • “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, prioritizing profit over player experience.”
    • “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

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Play time

30hMedian play time
61hAverage play time
4-150hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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