Nintendo - Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess : A Rebirth on Nintendo Switch 2

By Mulder, 05 june 2025

When Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess launched in July 2024, it stood as one of Capcom’s most stylistically ambitious titles in recent years. It wasn’t merely an action-strategy hybrid — it was a spiritual experience woven into a living tapestry of Japanese folklore, myth, and rhythm-infused combat. Now, nearly a year later, the game finds new life as a launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2, offering both seasoned players and new initiates a revitalized path of divine duty. And while the original version may not have met Capcom’s commercial expectations, this latest iteration just might be the redemption arc the game — and its fans — have been waiting for.

On the surface, the Switch 2 version of Kunitsu-Gami retains all the distinct ingredients that originally turned heads: the dancer-warrior Soh defending the mystical maiden Yoshiro from the encroaching Seethe, the hauntingly beautiful aesthetic powered by Capcom’s RE Engine, and the gameplay loop divided between day’s calm preparation and night’s frenzied tower-defense combat. But where this version truly shines is in the thoughtful enhancements tailored to Nintendo's hybrid hardware. The game now fully embraces portable play, inviting players to experience the sacred cleansing of Mt. Kafuku anywhere — whether on a train, in bed, or docked for an evening marathon on the big screen. It’s a seamless marriage of ancient ceremonial combat with cutting-edge flexibility, and Capcom has made sure this version feels as responsive and immersive as ever thanks to reimagined controls, including gyro support and even mouse functionality for those who crave precision.

One of the Switch 2 edition’s most exciting additions is the free post-launch content titled “Périple dans l’autre monde” — a journey into an alternate dimension that adds both depth and mystery to the base story. It's not just a gimmick; it's an evocative extension of the game’s spiritual undertones, a challenge that enriches the lore while demanding sharper strategy and stronger coordination between Soh and the villagers he commands. This content arrives not only on Nintendo's platform but as a cross-platform update, a thoughtful move from Capcom that signals the company's commitment to the game’s long-term narrative and mechanical evolution.

Another jewel in this version’s crown is the return of the Ōkami collaboration, which had originally captured fans' imaginations during the demo period back in summer 2024. Costumes inspired by Amaterasu and Waka, unique weapon skins, a mystical talisman, and ambient music straight from Hideki Kamiya’s legendary world — all make their way to the Switch 2 version fully intact. It’s not just fan service; it’s a cultural conversation between two titles rooted in the Shinto cosmology and yokai aesthetics of Japan. You can practically feel Shuichi Kawata's vision materialize — this is the same man who, driven by his admiration for traditional arts, worked closely with Master Kanjuro Kiritake III to bring a Bunraku prequel to life. Titled Ceremony of the Deity: The Maiden’s Destiny, this puppet-based origin story, released on YouTube the day before the original launch, stands as a testament to the game's layered artistry and reverence for Japanese storytelling.

Behind all these efforts is Capcom Development Division 1, the same division responsible for Resident Evil and Devil May Cry. The studio’s experience with bold design choices and mechanical experimentation is evident in how Kunitsu-Gami fuses real-time tactical placement, role-based village defense, and a combat system inspired by kagura — a sacred Shinto dance. These seemingly disparate elements come together to form a rhythm that is uniquely hypnotic: one moment you’re designating archers and woodcutters to defend the torii gates, the next you’re dodging and slashing through ghostly silhouettes in flowing, balletic movements. If Soh falls in combat, the player doesn’t lose control — instead, they shift into Spirit Mode, able to guide others while disembodied, a clever nod to the game’s core theme of protection beyond physical limitation.

Capcom’s choice to feature Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess as a Switch 2 launch title speaks volumes about the company's confidence in its artistic legacy. From the haunting soundscapes composed by Chikara Aoshima to the brushstroke-like visuals that blur the line between ink and digital paint, this is a game that was never meant to be merely played — it was meant to be felt. And perhaps now, in this new form and on this new frontier, it will finally be embraced for the mythic experience it truly is.

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess
Developer : Capcom
Publisher : Capcom
Director : Shuichi Kawata
Producer : Yoshiaki Hirabayashi, Masato Kumazawa
Designer : Maito Yamada
Artist :   Shuichi Kawata
Compose : Chikara Aoshima
Engine : RE Engine
Platforms :  PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2