Review of Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash.

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S

Initial release date: February 1, 2024

Developers: Byking, Gemdrops, Inc.

License: proprietary license

Genre: Fighting game

Publishers: BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment, Namco Bandai Games America Inc.

Engine: Unreal Engine 5, Unreal Engine 4

Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash is a terrible fighter overall. Despite a fascinating premise and delightful moments, the game is so weighed down by weird decisions and clumsy gameplay that it never rises above the level of being a conventional anime arena fighter.

I’m a huge fan of Jujutsu Kaisen. For years, new chapters and episodes have been weekly highlights, and I have far too many franchise figures on my shelves. I’d been wishing for a Jujutsu Kaisen console game since the beginning, so I was optimistic when Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash was revealed. Despite the potential for an interesting gameplay hook, the game is no more engaging than most other anime arena fights.

Dissidia: Final Fantasy is the game that most closely resembles Cursed Clash in my opinion. You have attacks that inflict no damage but accumulate Cursed Energy, as well as assaults that employ that energy to cause damage. The concept of balancing these two separate attack kinds has a lot of potential, but it’s rarely used here. Most strikes feel slow and cumbersome, which goes against the game’s team-based nature. It also appeared that employing my ultimate attacks did not always register, as I would have a full bar yet the button input would not function properly.

When you’re being attacked, it can feel like there’s no way out, yet foes can simply dodge and block whatever you throw at them – this is especially aggravating when the AI opponents appear to know your every move the moment you enter it. While it’s fun to fly across stages and defeat enemies with your favorite heroes, Cursed Clash’s jankiness gets in the way far too often.

The story mode retells the events of the anime’s first season (Cursed Child Arc to Death Painting Arc), as well as Jujutsu Kaisen 0. It is mostly told through anime stills, text, and voice acting, with the occasional 3D cutscene tossed in. The 3D moments are enjoyable to see and appropriately translate some of the most iconic scenes from early in the series, though I wish there were more. The brief Stories that are unlocked through the Relationship Chart, which fills out as you progress through the story mode, are enjoyable brief sequences that expand on the connections between people, making them a welcome addition.

Battles in the story mode are an excellent way to warm up, although they can be tedious. A surprising number of them have you battling two or even three foes on your own, which can be rather irritating given that the game is clearly designed for 2v2 combat. Some additional prerequisites for story missions and online co-op are also imbalanced. For example, some require you to avoid being hit a particular number of times, whereas opponent combos build up dozens of damage right away. Given how difficult it may be to dodge or block, this can result in a significant number of irritating retries.

One of the more unique aspects of the game is online co-op, which can also be played solo, as it allows you to face gauntlets of foes while using Binding Vows – stat benefits that can have drawbacks, bringing a roguelike feel to the mode. This is the most enjoyable part of the game because you can fight curses and opponents alone or with pals while leveling up your favorite characters. It still has the previously noted faults, but the work put into this area makes it stand out more than the rest.

There are some perplexing choices in terms of the HUD and menus. The Free Battle character selector is just a spreadsheet, whereas the online battle mode’s character actually displays them. The main menu resembles a DVD menu, and text covers large areas of the screen during combat. It’s unfortunate, because many anime games use inventive menus and condense their HUDs even when there is a lot of information.

The personalization is beneficial because each character has distinct clothes and color schemes to choose from. From wacky Jujutsu Stroll alternative looks to canon designs, you can look whatever you like while playing. The Ultimate Edition also features a minigame called Jujutsu RBI, which is based on R.B.I. Baseball and the baseball segment of the Kyoto Exchange Event plot. It’s a quirky idea that pays homage to a charming aspect of the series, providing for a nice little bonus.

Review Overview

Gameplay: 88%

Controls: 86%

Aesthetics: 91%

Content: 84%

Accessibility: 80%

Value: 85%

Overall: 86%

AN ACTION-PACKED CURSED SHOWDOWN!

Summary:

“Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash” brings the popular anime to life with fierce, fast-paced clashes and beautifully rendered maneuvers that embody the essence of the show. The gameplay is smooth, with intuitive fighting systems that make each fight feel exciting, especially when using strong cursed skills. The controls are well-designed, allowing players to smoothly perform combinations, but learning each character’s distinct skills adds another layer of complexity. Visually, the game is stunning, combining cel-shaded animation with dynamic effects to bring the world of Jujutsu Kaisen to life. For fans of anime and fighting games, “Cursed Clash” provides a solid and exhilarating experience.