Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess

Play it on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Windows (Steam Deck OK)
Buy it from: Best Buy | Humble Bundle
Current goal: Get the Platinum trophy

If this were the PS2-era, Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess would be one of those games that would have come out, been mostly ignored, and then disappeared only to live on in the memories of people who raved about it to anyone who would listen. Hell, it might never have gotten localized at all. But it’s 2024, and everyone will get a chance to give Path of the Goddess a try, and they should. Capcom’s mashup of tower defense and old-school arcade action games is dressed up in Japanese folklore with a vibrant art style and incredible soundtrack. It’s fun, meaty, and doesn’t try to do more than it can. It’s a refreshing departure from games that put big-budget presentation over compelling gameplay and pile on needless systems to pad out play time.

You play as a warrior named Soh, tasked with escorting a maiden down a mountain so she can purge the evil spirits that have infested it. You train villagers to take on specific roles, and then order them around the battlefield to fight off hordes of demons until the sun comes up. Between missions, you rebuild the villages you encounter to unlock new abilities, classes, and equipment. It’s a solid formula that sings thanks to crisp combat and attention to every little detail from the development team. You can feel the love, care, and creativity in even the smallest elements, especially the UI which is masterfully incorporated into the overall presentation. There are flaws and tedious parts to be sure, but for a $50 game (it’s also on Game Pass), Path of the Goddess nails everything it needs to do and more. — Ethan Gach

And that wraps our picks for the weekend. Stay safe out there, friends!