In Japan, physical retail versions will also be available for PlayStation 5 and Switch. The standard edition will cost 5,280 yen, while the limited edition will cost 9,980 yen. The latter includes a full-color art book, single-disc soundtrack CD, and an acrylic keychain.
Get the latest details below.
■ About Grim Guardians: Demon Purge
Grim Guardians: Demon Purge and 2D side scrolling Action game focusing on two demon hunter sisters who challenge an evil castle to save their school. Players take control of two characters with completely different skills, going through stages to face the evil bosses that lurk in the deep. Each boss grants new weapons for them, allowing for more diverse exploration and opening new routes in later stages.
Grim Guardians: Demon Purge two player features cooperative special actions, extensive difficulty options with the “Style System”, unique changes to replay games, and most importantly, the quality and combat that players expect from Inti Creates games, this time with a new gothic fear aesthetic.
■ Release Date
Grim Guardians: Demon PurgeAnnounced at indie gaming event BitSummit X-Roads, it will be available digitally on February 23, 2023. Nintendo SwitchPlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S Consoles as well as PC on the Steam platform.
The gothic horror inspired action game will be released on each platform’s respective digital storefront for $24.99.
■ Stories
The Kamizono family has a long history of demon hunters. The last people to inherit the family business, Kamizono Shinobu and Kamizono Maya, return to school the day after they finished the hunt, and they are met with a shocking scene before them.
Unbeknownst to them, their school had turned into an evil castle in their absence. What could have caused this? What about other students? As the mysteries continue and danger abounds, only demon hunters are capable of making things right. The Kamizono brothers fight once again.
“When demons lurk nearby, we demon hunters emerge!”
“Brothers Kamizono, step back!”
■ Feature 1: Instantly Move While Passing the Demonic Castle
Take control of both tag teams, the Kamizono brothers. Make the most of long-range focus Shinobu and melee combatant Maya Kamizono as you move through the castle.
Shinobu Kamizono (voiced by Emi Uema)
Shinobu, the eldest of the Kamizono brothers, is full of confidence, but still tends to make careless mistakes. He’s a long-range attacker who deals with demons using his anti-demon submachine gun! A tough fighter with more CP than her younger sister, Shinobu’s sub-weapons supplied at each stage give her the ability to attack in all directions and restore CP.
—Sister Shinobu’s long-range attacks allow her to fight at a safe distance, making her an ideal frontline fighter!
—Don’t forget to reload the anti-demon submachine gun when you run out of ammo. It will be vulnerable when reloading, so time it wisely.
Maya Kamizono (voiced by Chinami Hashimoto)
Younger than the siblings, Maya rescues her strong-willed brother from the shadows with her trustworthy personality. As a technical melee attacker, she creates a variety of powerful weapons from origami. Use these weapons to inflict massive damage! As he unlocks more sub-weapons he will gain various special actions, making him a true offensive expert. He has much lower HP in return, but choose carefully when to switch from Shinobu as the opportunity to deal big damage presents itself!
—Maya is an expert in close range combat. Although his damage output is high, his HP is low in return. Well-timed dodging is essential when using it.
—Maya’s small build allows her to crouch under certain platforms, making her a master of exploration.
Cover your weaknesses by switching siblings when needed.
—When faced with an enemy who can protect against Shinobu’s bullets, switch to Maya and show them who’s boss! It is very important to determine which sibling is best for each situation.
— Substitution can be made at any time without any limits or defects, although it requires both combat suitability.
Each brother has a set of unique sub-weapons, giving you a wealth of options to change your strategy when the time comes. Most of Shinobu’s sub-weapons can be used flexibly, allowing him to compensate for his direct attack. As long as you have Weapon Points in stock, feel free to use them! On the other hand, Maya’s sub-weapons serve mainly to close the distance between herself and the demons, but require technical precision in return. Some may even have unexpected functions.
Knife Throwing
Throws the knife diagonally upwards. Especially effective against airborne enemies and those that are difficult to aim.
shikigami
Maya creates shikigami that can damage enemies. They can also block certain attacks, but disappear faster as a result.
If one of the brothers falls in battle, they can be revived with the Brother Rescue function, provided you can return to where they fell.
—A fallen brother can be brought back to life at the touch of a button while standing by his body, but the demons don’t wait for the process to end.
— Game Extremes can be avoided as long as you can save the other sister. Never give up, even when alone!
Nor can any demon hunter do without an ultimate demon hunting technique. Siblings can synchronize to fire a devastating bullet that instantly clears most demons, giving them a significant advantage in their clash against evil forces.
—Shinobu and Maya can launch a powerful attack when the Purge Gauge is maxed out! The Purge Gauge increases naturally, but can also be accelerated by collecting items along the way.
—Use this powerful attack to destroy demons!
■ Feature 2: Defeat Bosses to Obtain New Sub-weapons, Unlock a Brand New Exploration Tier
Defeating bosses will grant siblings new sub-weapons that provide exciting new abilities. These sub-weapons also unlock new routes and scouting vehicles in other stages.
—Sub-weapons can be changed at any time. Note that they need Weapon Points to use.
—New sub-weapons not only let you defeat demons you couldn’t before, they can also help you reach previously inaccessible areas of the castle!
Meticulous exploration will allow you to uncover the castle’s secret passages, which can lead to empowering items for siblings, as well as locating other students who have gone missing.
—A keen eye can help you find hidden paths and objects behind seemingly inconspicuous walls!
—With careful exploration, you can find power-up items and turn the tide in your favor!
—Do you have what it takes to find and rescue all the students trapped in the castle?!
■ Feature 3: Enjoy the Story with “Pure” or “Refined” Soundtracks
The Grim Guardian’s story focuses on two main issues: the mystery behind the school’s transformation and the whereabouts of the other students.
Enjoy the original experience in “Pure” mode with all the original Japanese voices for story mode, or choose “Refined” for action-focused English voice-overs tailored for fans of the genre.
■ Feature #4: Adjust the Difficulty to Your Playing Needs with the Unique Style System
A total of three different styles – “Casual”, “Senior” and “Legend” – are available to choose from, allowing players to adjust the difficulty to their needs. This can be changed at any time after starting the game and will not have any effect on the story.
—Casual Style: Unlimited health and no recoil when taking damage allows for a fun and relaxed run.
—Senior Style: ideal for those seeking the challenge provided by action games formerly.
—Legend Style: Intense enough to require unlocking. Do you have what it takes to clean it up?
Moreover, collaboration with both Shinobu and Maya will be possible if two controllers are present. Jumping is possible at any time during the game, so feel free to invite your friends on your journey to conquer this mysterious evil castle.
—Attacking together in co-op allows you to deal extra damage! There are no limits when it comes to combo options!
—Maya is riding Shinobu! Jump on your friend’s character to unlock new routes to reach even higher!