Kunitsu-Gami anniversary update removes Denuvo from Capcom's 9/10 strategy game

2024 was packed with delights, from the all-conquering Balatro to the bombastic Helldivers 2, and even Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree. But Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess was my favorite surprise of the year, a true throwback to developer Capcom's older days and the era of Okami, Onimusha, and Viewtiful Joe. It's just turned one year old, and a special anniversary update includes an 8-bit gift, along with the additional note that it's removed Denuvo anti-tamper.

While I could wax lyrical about Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess for quite some time, you'll get a more full overview from Lauren's effusive, 9/10 Kunitsu-Gami review. As Soh, a warrior tasked with protecting divine maiden Yoshiro as she cleanses demonic power from the towering Mount Kafuku, you must hold off waves of bizarre and gloriously unsettling monsters through a combination of your own martial might and the ability to direct the local townsfolk into action.

The result manages is both one of the best action games of last year, with a wide range of combos at your disposal and plenty of specialization options through its skill tree and equipment, and one of the best strategy games. Each villager you rescue can be assigned to a job such as archer, sumo wrestler, or priest, and you can position them around the map as you wish in order to help hold off the hordes, giving the whole process somewhat of a tower defense vibe.

Combine that with stunning visuals and a mesmerizing soundtrack, and Kunitsu-Gami is a game I'd heartily recommend. Now, its anniversary update gives you a new Mazo Talisman called 'Yashichi Waves' that swaps the background music out for a retro, 8-bit rendition. That's not the only recent introduction; Capcom recently launched an additional challenge mode called 'Otherworldy Venture' that implements the core day-and-night cycle into an endless procession where you must survive as long as possible.

Alongside the anniversary talisman, which has been released today, Friday July 11, Capcom has also removed Denuvo anti-tamper requirements from the Steam version of Kunitsu-Gami. The piracy protection software, used in many games, is often the subject of controversy due to claims it impacts performance, something the company behind it has previously refuted.

Now, however, Kunitsu-Gami is the latest Capcom game to drop it. The studio has previously removed Denuvo from older games including several Resident Evil entries and Monster Hunter World (notably, Denuvo is still present in the recently released Monster Hunter Wilds).

I'll take any excuse to talk about how much joy Kunitsu-Gami brought me; I began it largely on a whim without really knowing what to expect beyond its enticing art style, and found myself fully entranced and eagerly fighting to earn perfect scores across all its missions. It feels like an old-school game with modern design sensibilities, and you can see it through to completion in a pretty reasonable 15-20 hours, though it'll likely stick in your mind for a lot longer.

On the hunt for more weird and wonderful experiences? Try one of the best fantasy games. And make sure everything you play looks as good as possible with our guide to the best gaming monitor you can get right now.

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