I’d rate this one a bit higher even, as I think it’s a very well executed, distilled but not so compromised version of the bread and butter gameplay you expect from platinum. It’s beautiful, almost exactly the look of Okami, and can sort of function as a spiritual successor depending on how you view it. The music is fantastic.

The Oni and Yokai chosen are excellent choices to include, from the iconic eyeballed umbrella, a drunken master otter, and not one but 2 of the butthole eyeball yokai.

The writing is surprisingly good for this sort of thing, compelling with interesting conversations and characters.

This is where this falls the hardest, though. I also have some complaints with the forced grind due to level gating and some repetitiveness in the gameplay, though largely the flaws here aren’t too bad. However, again it has a compelling story that arrives at a climax, and abruptly ends. It’s so disappointing, especially with no announced plans, no broader conversation out in the ether, no resolution on the way for another chapter or presumably a sequel or second half. Unlike something like fantasian which had its plans pretty well broadcast. A big disappointment and a flaw with Apple Arcade hedging their bets of not adding completed games but rather ones that can be dropped in and iterated on. Or possibly abandoned.

Again, it’s still fun, judging by what I’ve heard it’s much better than platinum’s latest game by miles, and I’ve been stoked throughout till I hit that wall. Hopefully they’re doing something in the bg but I just wish they’d announce their plan