REVIEW: ‘Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- Sweep the Board!” Does What It Needs To (Switch)

Demon Slayer Sweep the Board (Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- Sweep the Board!) blends the captivating world of the Demon Slayer anime with the exhilarating chaos of a party game, reminiscent of the beloved Mario Party series. Available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch through SEGA, players are immersed in a whirlwind of fun as they embark on a journey with familiar faces, the luck of the die, and minigames inspired by the franchise.

With a diverse roster of 12 characters to choose from, players compete on boards inspired by iconic locations such as Tsuzumi Mansion, Mount Natagumo, and the Mugen Train. Rolling dice to traverse the board, encountering challenges, purchasing items, and engaging in minigames keep the excitement flowing just like in traditional party games.

One of Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- Sweep the Board!‘s unique mechanics is the “Demon Slayer Dice,” allowing each character to unleash their own set of dice with distinct special effects. Strategically using these dice becomes essential, as a cooldown timer of 3 turns follows each use. These special dice can grant players rolls past the traditional six-sided die or grant them points to be used to buy other items in the game.

By taking the role of fan favorites like Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke,  the game seamlessly blends preparation during the day with demon-hunting at night, creating a dynamic gameplay experience. The way to trigger the day and night faces relies on the player reaching a random tile assigned at the start of each rough. This makes it a mad dash to reach tiles the destination tiles first using whatever means necessary. This could be sabotaging your fellow Demon Slayers or using the items and power-up in tandem to cover lots of ground around the board.

While fun with friends, one notable drawback of Demon Slayer Sweep the Board! is the slower pace when playing with AI opponents. While the game excels in providing an engaging experience with friends, AI opponents lack the spontaneity and dynamic decision-making of human players, leading to a more predictable and less exhilarating gameplay experience. Without the lively banter and competitive edge that human interaction brings, games with computer opponents may feel more of a slog and less immersive.

Where Demon Slayer Sweep the Board! shines in its ability to blend its source material into a new medium. The party game doesn’t just let you play as your favorite characters from the franchise in a Mario Party skin. Rather, it immerses you deeply into their world through captivating cutscenes and thrilling demon combat sequences. Battling the demons becomes just as much a part of the experience as competing against your fellow players.

However, while the game excels in capturing the essence of the Demon Slayer universe, some players may find that it runs into repetition with its maps. If the game fails to expand its maps to grow alongside the manga and anime, players may encounter familiar settings too frequently, potentially diminishing the sense of discovery and exploration. This lack of variety could potentially dampen the long-term appeal of the game for dedicated fans seeking fresh experiences in line with the ongoing narrative developments

As you and your Demon Slayers face off against formidable demons like the Hand Demon or the Swamp Demon, the intensity of battle comes to life like never before. Using the Joy-Con controllers, you’ll mimic sword slashes and unleash powerful techniques with precision, feeling every strike as if you were right there on the front lines alongside Tanjiro and his comrades. Just make sure your Joy-Con is strapped on tightly.

If you are worried about relying on the Joy-Con to stay competitive, don’t fret. Demon Slayer Sweep the Board! caters to players’ preferences by offering seamless compatibility with various control methods. Whether you’re using handheld mode, Joy-Cons, or an elite controller, the game ensures an intuitive and immersive experience. Further, switching between control methods is easy before training sequences or demon battles. This means that players can lean on their preferred method of control even for specific mini-games if they so wish.

In all, Demon Slayer Sweep the Board! does exactly what it sets out to do by combining the excitement of a party game with the world of Demon Slayer. It’s tailor-made for the niche audience of anime enthusiasts and party game aficionados alike. While solo play may not offer the same level of enjoyment as playing with friends, the game’s seamless online and local multiplayer options make it easy to join the fun. In a time brimming with projects that nobody asked for, Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- Sweep the Board! stands a pleasant surprise.

Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- Sweep the Board! is available now on Nintendo Switch.