This demonic hunting-action RPG for PC and PlayStation sets itself apart from the competition by focusing on the Oni; towering demons from Japanese folklore that must be systematically dismantled by a group of warriors known as Slayers. This Toukiden: Kiwami review takes a deep dive into the expanded version of Omega Force’s mythological hunting title, which successfully blends feudal Japanese history with supernatural horror.
Here's where Toukiden: Kiwami delivers and where it comes up short, with 4 pros and 3 cons drawn from our full metric breakdown.
Metric Gamer scores Toukiden: Kiwami 3.4/5 — "Toukiden: Kiwami is a solid, content-rich alternative to the mainline hunting giants, particularly for fans of Japanese mythology and history. Its unique limb-severing mechanics and the deep Mitama customization system provide a strategic hook that keeps the combat feeling fresh throughout its lengthy campaign. While the graphics and map design certainly show their age, the fluid combat and excellent co-op integration make it a reliable boss-rush experience for players who want a darker, more supernatural game."
Progression in Toukiden: Kiwami is deeply tied to the Mitama system, which acts as a secondary leveling mechanic alongside traditional gear crafting. Players earn the souls of historical figures by defeating specific Oni, and as these souls level up, they unlock powerful passive traits and active abilities that define a player's role in the party. Findinga specific Mitama that perfectly complements a chosen weapon, like the Naginata or Club, is a highly rewarding aspect of the progression system. While the materials required for high-rank armor sets still necessitate a fair amount of grinding, the constant acquisition of new souls ensures there is always a sense of tangible growth.
The visual presentation is a bit of a mixed bag, as the creative and eerie Oni designs are often let down by aging environmental textures. Because the game was developed as a cross-platform title for the PS Vita, the maps are segmented into small arenas that lack the scale and detail found in modern PC hunting titles. While the cinematic special moves look great, the overall world lacks dynamic lighting and interactive elements. It is a functional and stylistically consistent game, but it won't be winning any awards for technical fidelity on modern hardware.
World design follows a traditional hub-and-mission structure, with the village of Utakata serving as a charming home base for all your upgrades and social interactions. The mission areas are divided into Ages based on Japanese history, such as the Age of Grace or the Age of War, which provide some thematic variety to the hunting grounds. However, these zones are largely static and function as simple combat arenas rather than living, breathing ecosystems. While the lore behind the world is fascinating, the actual act of navigating these maps can feel repetitive due to the linear nature of the paths connecting the combat zones.
Combat is fast, tactical, and centers entirely on the destruction of monster parts through the Eye of Truth mechanic. Players must systematically break an Oni’s armor and then sever its limbs to prevent it from regenerating, which creates a rhythmic and rewarding flow to every encounter. The introduction of the Kiwami weapon types has added much-needed variety, with the Rifle offering a unique ranged perspective and the Naginata providing high-mobility aerial options.
The multiplayer experience is where Toukiden: Kiwami truly shines, offering seamless online play that scales the difficulty of the Oni based on the number of Slayers. The synergy between different Mitama builds, such as a Healing build supporting three Attack builds, makes high-level play feel highly collaborative and strategic. Even in 2026, the game maintains a dedicated cult following, making it relatively easy to find groups for the tough Infinite Mission mode through community hubs. When playing solo, the AI companions are among the best in the genre, ensuring that the co-op focused mechanics don't feel lost for those who prefer to hunt alone.
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Lead reviewer and award winning game modder. I have been gaming for almost 3 decades and genuinely love interacting with fellow gamers and sinking my teeth into the mechanics of the games I play.
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