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Toukiden Kiwami, developed by Koei Tecmo, renowned creators of the Dynasty Warriors franchise, offers a unique monster-hunting experience. This enhanced version of Toukiden: The Age of Demons promises an ultimate challenge, inviting players to delve into a world rich with lore, challenging Oni, and a deep crafting system. But does it live up to the hype? This review explores the strengths and weaknesses of Toukiden Kiwami, providing an in-depth analysis of its gameplay, content, and overall value.

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Accessible Monster Hunting

Unlike the notoriously challenging Monster Hunter series, Toukiden Kiwami offers a more accessible entry point into the monster-hunting genre. The combat system, even without a thorough tutorial, is easy to grasp, with simple combos and abilities. This streamlined approach allows players to quickly jump into the action and begin their Oni-slaying journey. Furthermore, the competent AI companions provide significant support during hunts. Their resilience and offensive capabilities contribute to a less demanding experience, especially when playing with a full party of four. This accessibility could be a strategic move by Koei Tecmo to attract a wider player base to the Toukiden series.

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A Wealth of Content to Explore

Toukiden Kiwami boasts a staggering amount of content. The core gameplay loop revolves around the classic formula of hunting Oni, gathering materials, upgrading equipment, and repeating. This loop is fueled by a massive catalog of items, including hundreds of materials, dozens of armor sets and weapons, and a plethora of main and side quests. This depth of content provides a compelling incentive for players who enjoy collecting and grinding. The Mitama system, which involves equipping the souls of fallen warriors to weapons to gain various skills, adds another layer of customization. With hundreds of Mitama to discover, players can experiment with different builds and strategies.

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The extensive crafting system further enhances the replayability. Forging Mitama into weapons allows players to create unique and powerful equipment. This, combined with nine distinct weapon types, each offering a different combat style, ensures a diverse and engaging experience. From swords and bows to spears and even guns, players can experiment with various playstyles to find their preferred approach. This vast array of content significantly contributes to the game’s overall value.

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Notable Improvements over its Predecessor

As an enhanced version, Toukiden Kiwami builds upon its predecessor, Toukiden: The Age of Demons, with substantial improvements. The game features a significantly longer campaign, almost double the length of the original, with a corresponding increase in the number of Oni and weapon types. New Slayer characters add variety to the roster, and the “United Destroyer” mechanic allows players to combine ultimate attacks with allies for devastating damage. The addition of Infinite Missions provides endless opportunities to hunt for rare items, while the new Ultimate difficulty setting offers a challenge for hardcore players. Furthermore, players can transfer save data from Toukiden: The Age of Demons to continue their progress.

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Visual Presentation and Design

While the graphics on PS4 may not be groundbreaking, the PS Vita version offers a visually impressive experience, particularly considering the handheld platform’s limitations. Character models are smooth and detailed, and the weapons and armor designs are visually striking. The Oni designs are a highlight, conveying a sense of danger and dread. The CG cutscenes also maintain Koei Tecmo’s high standards.

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Shortcomings and Areas for Improvement

Despite its strengths, Toukiden Kiwami suffers from some notable flaws. One common criticism is the lack of depth in its combat compared to Monster Hunter. The simplified combat system, while accessible, can lead to repetitive gameplay. The abundance of Mitama and skills, while offering customization options, doesn’t translate to a significant impact on gameplay. The reliance on healing-focused Mitama and characters can trivialize the challenge, further contributing to the sense of repetition. The grind for materials can also become tedious, especially when requiring multiple hunts of the same Oni.

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The online multiplayer experience, a crucial aspect of monster-hunting games, is also plagued with issues. Frequent connection errors and difficulty finding active rooms hinder the co-op experience. This, coupled with a seemingly smaller online community, diminishes the potential for engaging multiplayer hunts.

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Conclusion

Toukiden Kiwami offers a compelling entry point into the monster-hunting genre, particularly for players seeking a less demanding experience than Monster Hunter. Its vast content, accessible combat, and impressive visuals on PS Vita contribute to its appeal. However, the lack of combat depth, repetitive grinding, and underwhelming online experience hold it back from reaching its full potential. While it may not dethrone the genre’s giants, Toukiden Kiwami provides a worthwhile experience for players seeking a different flavor of Oni-slaying action.