Great video game adaptations of anime and manga are few and far between. However, some titles do crack the code, like Dragon Ball Fighter Z. This is because the game’s genre melds perfectly with the anime’s premise. DBZ is all about the stellar and grand fight scenes, so a 2D team-up fighting game is what it deserves. Anime titles with heavy folklore influences and sword-fighting, like Demon Slayer, have multiple genres they could fit into – like turn-based RPGs or action RPGs. In the case of Demon Slayer, however, the most suitable genre for it may be what most modern gamers call “Soulslite.”
Demon Slayer already has a game out called “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles,” and it features action-adventure gameplay. It also has a versus mode, which lets players pick two fighters and go against CPU opponents or other players. The plot is based on the start of the series up until the Mugen Train arc. It received average reviews from critics and audiences but it was a bestseller for the PS5 in Japan. If this were to have a direct or indirect sequel, a slight change of genre could be an improvement for this already popular video game series.
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Why Demon Slayer Would Be Perfect as a Soulslite
What is Soulslite?
To understand what a Soulslite is, one needs to learn about the genre it derives from, which is the Soulslike. The Soulslike is a genre gamers have coined for titles similar to From Software’s Soulsborne titles. These games usually focus on taking down an array of challenging bosses and mini-bosses with big HP bars, massive damage, and distinct attack patterns in close-quarters combat. As such, players need to learn each boss’ strikes to know when to dodge and find the right opportunity to get their own attacks in. These titles usually offer limited healing options and save checkpoints, adding to their difficulty.
The Soulslite is essentially an easier Soulslike. These games may retain the challenging boss fights that Soulslike usually does, but with elements that make the journey easier. Such elements may include more intuitive save options, fewer boss battles, and difficulty settings that can make the games less punishing for newcomers and players who enjoy these games more for their lore. Some of the best Soulslite games right now include the Star Wars Jedi series, Remnant 2, and Darksiders 3.
Demon Slayer’s Big Potential as a Soulslite
The Demon Slayer series is the perfect anime to adapt into a Soulslite game for the following reasons:
- The Ranked Demons Make for Excellent Bosses: The Twelve Demon Moons are an elite group of killers chosen and made stronger by the big bad himself: Kibutsuji Muzan. Tanjiro and the gang have encountered these enemies in the anime, and they’ve always ended up close to dead, even with the Hashiras helping them out. These lower-ranked Demons make for great mini-bosses, while the upper-ranked ones are the obvious choice for main bosses until the players have to face Muzan himself.
- Demon Slayer’s Fight Choreography Fits the Soulslite Genre: Most Soulslite and Soulslike games feature close-quarters combat, which fits perfectly with Demon Slayer. The characters primarily engage their targets with special “Nichirin” blades and use various breathing techniques to enhance their attacks. The Demon Slayers also need quick reflexes to stay mobile and dodge enemy attacks, as a single hit from an upper or lower moon Demon could lead to major or even fatal injuries. This coincides with the dodge, roll, and attack combat patterns that Soulslite games usually have.
The main appeal of Soulslites and Soulslikes is the unique challenges that each boss offers, and how players can overcome them through keen observation and trial and error. This is similar to how Tanjiro and his fellow Demon Slayers operate. They analyze an enemy to find their weakness while doing their best to survive the fight. The lower or dynamic difficulty of Soulslites also makes the genre great for anime video game adaptations, as they can appeal to more people in the fandom, not just hardcore gamers.