Many animes have received video game adaptations over the years, but not all of them have been as popular as Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles. Based on the anime and manga series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (originally written and illustrated by Koyoharu Gotouge), The Hinokami Chronicles combines elements of fighting and action-adventure games and was a hit upon its release in 2021. Since then, there have been several Demon Slayer DLC packs released. If you’re wondering whether or not they’re worth your time and money, we’ve got everything you need to know right here.
Demon Slayer Summary
The Hinokami Chronicles is a video game based on the popular manga and anime series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. Developed by CyberConnect2 and published by Aniplex, the game is a hybrid of fighting and action-adventure genres and made its debut in October 2021. It faithfully adapts the story of the anime’s first season, allowing players to relive the adventure as Tanjiro Kamado, battling demons and seeking a cure for his sister Nezuko. The main story features a combination of one-on-one battles and exploration, letting fans experience the immersive world of Demon Slayer for themselves.
Demon Slayer DLC
In the years since the game’s original 2021 launch, developers released a number of DLC packs for Demon Slayer. These are currently for sale via digital distribution platforms, although not all are available for individual purchase on the Nintendo Switch. Here’s a quick summary of each DLC, including their available platforms and prices:
Core Add-on Bundle
- Platforms: Windows PC, Xbox, PlayStation
- Normal price: $14.99
The Core Add-on Bundle DLC for Demon Slayer features several character unlock keys, new in-game costumes, 10 new avatars, and 8,000 Kimetsu Points. New characters include the Kimetsu Academy versions of Nezuko Kamado, Zenitsu Agatsuma, and Inosuke Hashibira. New costumes are the Butterfly Mansion Patient Wear for Tanjiro Kamado, Zenitsu Agatsuma, and Inosuke Hashibira.
The character unlock keys allow you to immediately access new characters in Versus mode. Kimetsu Points are used to purchase in-game rewards, with 8,000 points being enough to unlock two characters.
Kimetsu Academy Summer Uniforms
- Platforms: Windows PC, Xbox, PlayStation
- Normal price: $4.99
This is a purely cosmetic DLC that adds some new costumes for characters to use in Versus mode. The new costumes are Kimetsu Academy Summer Uniforms for Tanjiro Kamado, Nezuko Kamado, Zenitsu Agatsuma, Inosuke Hashibira, and Giyu Tomioka.
Tengen Uzui Character Pack
- Platforms: Windows PC, Xbox, PlayStation
- Normal price: $4.99
This DLC adds Tengen Uzui as a playable character in the game. This also includes some extras such as Tengen Uzui profile photos and quotes. Note that this is also included as part of the Demon Slayer Character Pass DLC.
Character Pass
- Platforms: Windows PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch
- Normal price: $24.99
The Demon Slayer Character Pass adds several different characters to the game. These characters (including Tengen Uzui as we noted above) are available for purchase separately. Be careful that you don’t accidentally buy them twice!
This character pack includes Tengen Uzui, Nezuko Kamado (Advanced Demon Form), Tanjiro Kamado (Entertainment District), Zenitsu Agatsuma (Entertainment District), Inosuke Hashibira (Entertainment District), Daki, and Gyutaro as new characters playable in Versus mode.
Note that on Windows PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, you can purchase these characters separately. The Tengen Uzui, Nezuko, Daki, and Gyutaro character packs are all available for $4.99 each. The Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke character pack bundles these three together for $9.99. On the Nintendo Switch, only the full Character Pass bundle is available for purchase.
Demon Slayer Deluxe Edition
- Platforms: Windows PC, Xbox, PlayStation
- Normal price: $69.99
As it is with many games, there are upgraded editions of Demon Slayer that let you purchase the base game along with the DLC in a single bundle for a discounted price. There are two such Demon Slayer bundles: the Deluxe Edition and the Ultimate Edition. Each has its own extras and bonuses.
Demon Slayer Deluxe Edition includes the base game along with the Core Add-on DLC bundle and the Kimetsu Academy version of Tanjiro Kamado. This gives you four new characters along with Butterfly Mansion Patient Wear costumes, character avatars, and 8,000 Kimetsu Points. You also get a high-resolution desktop PC wallpaper.
Demon Slayer Ultimate Edition
- Release date: Oct 15, 2021
- Platforms: Windows PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch
- Normal price: $79.99 (Switch), $89.99 (other platforms)
Demon Slayer Ultimate Edition includes everything in the Deluxe Edition, plus the Character Pass DLC. That means along with the new characters, costumes, avatars, and 8,000 Kimetsu Points from the Core Bundle add-on, you also get all seven Character Pass fighters. And, of course, this also includes the high-resolution PC wallpaper, although we doubt that’s a major selling point.
Interestingly, the Deluxe Edition is unavailable on the Nintendo Switch. The Ultimate Editon is the only Demon Slayer bundle available on the Nintendo eShop. However, it’s priced more cheaply there than it is on PC, Xbox, or PlayStation – one of the few times that Nintendo fans actually pay less.
Is Demon Slayer DLC worth the money?
Fan reception for some of the characters and other Demon Slayer DLC items ranged from middling to positive. Players were lukewarm to the cosmetic DLC items, for instance. The consensus seems to be that the Kimetsu Academy Summer Uniforms pack is a questionable value, even for its low price.
On the other hand, many gamers appreciate the new fighters. The characters Gyutoro, Tengen, and Awakened Nezuko are commonly cited as welcome additions. Fans say that these characters offer fun playstyles and some new depth to the game. Ultimately, whether the DLC is worth it is up to you. That may sound like a cop-out, but you’ll have to gauge your own interest in the game and decide if you’re willing to pay to expand your fighter roster and get other extras.
In our opinion, the Character Pass is worth a purchase if you already own the main game. It provides the most content out of all the Demon Slayer DLC packs, giving you more for your money. That’s especially true if you can snag it at a discount. If you haven’t bought the game yet, it’s a good idea to wait and buy the Ultimate Edition on sale. This gets you the base game along with all of the DLC and costs considerably less than purchasing everything separately.
Demon Slayer DLC Tips and Tricks
To help you navigate the world of Demon Slayer and improve your fighting skills, here are some tips and tricks:
- Master the basics: Any expert will tell you that mastering the basics will carry you 90% of the way. Before you dive into Versus mode, start with the Training mode to learn the fundamental controls and mechanics. Nailing down the basics is crucial for any fighting game.
- Practice combos: Button combos come down to muscle memory, which comes down to repetition. Use the training mode to practice combos and specials until you can execute them without having to think about it.
- Utilize guard, dodge, and parry: Blocking and dodging attacks are key to survival. You can also parry, which requires more precise timing. Hitboxes and invincibility frames are also a core component of pretty much all fighting games, so study them!
- Study character abilities: Each character has unique abilities and skills. Take the time to learn their strengths and weaknesses. Also, be sure to practice chaining combos into special attacks for serious damage.
- Manage your gauges: Make it second nature to keep an eye on your health, skill, and support gauges in the heat of battle. Keep an eye on your enemy’s skill gauge, as well. This allows you to better predict when they may unleash a long combo or special attack. Remember that your skill gauge charges faster when you’re standing still.
- Learn the match-ups: Familiarize yourself with the character tiers and their fighting styles. Knowing your character’s best and worst match-ups can give you an edge and help you prepare.
- Don’t get combo-locked: If you’re stuck in an enemy’s combo attack, you can call in an assist to escape. This consumes two bars of your support gauge, so use it only when your enemy’s skill gauge is full. That’s when they’re most likely to try to lock you into a damaging special/combo chain.
- Don’t rush it: Remember that, like in any fighting game, true mastery of Demon Slayer will take time. Enjoy the process of improving your skills and mastering your favorite characters.
Final Word
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles is a great combination of fighting and action-adventure gameplay that offers hours of fun, even after the main story is completed. The new DLC characters are also a welcome addition and bring some extra depth to the game. Whether or not the Demon Slayer DLC is worth it is up to you, the player. However, we think the extra characters are worth the money, especially if you catch the Character Pass or Ultimate Edition on sale. Happy demon slaying!