Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles Character Pass

I've spent enough time with CyberConnect2's anime fighters to know the studio's formula by heart: gorgeous cel-shaded visuals, approachable combat built around breathing styles and burst moves, and a roster that leans hard on franchise loyalty over mechanical variety. The Hinokami Chronicles Character Pass follows that formula without deviation, bundling seven character packs covering the Entertainment District Arc cast into one purchase rather than asking you to buy each separately. What you actually get here is Tengen Uzui, Nezuko Kamado in her Advanced Demon Form, Entertainment District versions of Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke packaged together, plus the sibling demon duo of Daki and Gyutaro. All seven are playable exclusively in Versus mode, so if your interest is the story mode, this pass adds nothing to that experience. For players already invested in the base game's arena fighter side, Tengen Uzui brings a notably flashy moveset built around his dual Nichirin cleavers and Sound Breathing techniques, and Gyutaro's sickle-and-blood-demon-art style gives him a distinct rhythm compared to the core roster. That said, the honest criticism from the wider community still applies: CyberConnect2's character design across this game trends toward similar combo structures, and the newer additions do not break that mold in any dramatic way. The context worth knowing is that the base game's Versus mode is simple and accessible by arena fighter standards. Combos string together from basic attacks into special moves with a combo gauge that prevents excessive juggling, and there is a parry and a block push available for defensive play. The Character Pass adds bodies to that mode, but it does not add new mechanics, modes, or anything that addresses the base game's criticism of feeling light on long-term content. If the versus mode already felt thin to you, seven more fighters with broadly similar inputs will not reverse that feeling. Where the pass makes sense is the obvious case: you are a Demon Slayer fan who watched the Entertainment District Arc, you want to play Tengen Uzui or run Daki against a friend, and you are not looking for a deep fighting game experience. CyberConnect2 is genuinely good at translating anime characters into playable form - the visual fidelity, voice acting carried over from the anime cast, and the way each character's signature moves animate all hold up. For that specific audience, the value proposition is clear. For anyone approaching this as a fighting game purchase without franchise attachment, the Mixed Steam reception reflects the ceiling accurately. One additional note worth flagging: the sequel, Hinokami Chronicles 2, includes all these Entertainment District Arc characters in its base roster. If you are coming to this series fresh in 2025 or later, the sequel is the smarter entry point and renders this pass largely redundant. Alex, Scout Team