This surprising Capcom game is the best thing I played at Summer Game Fest

This story is part of our Summer Gaming Marathon series.

While Monster Hunter Wilds might not be getting released until next year, Capcom still has another awesome-looking game releasing very soon. Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess impressed me with its Summer Game Fest 2024 trailer, and after going hands-on with the game, I’m even more in love. It’s a super-weird action strategy game where players free mountain villages of the “Defilement” that has overtaken them by strategically placing helpful villages and fighting the enemies, called “Seethe,” head-on.

Think of it as an isometric Onimusha with tower defense elements, as players can strategically command and place villagers to optimally defend the dancing maiden that is helping get rid of the defilement that has overtaken the mountain. Although Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess can be a tough game to explain, after going hands-on with it, the game became my favorite thing I played at Summer Game Fest Play Days this year. After also speaking to the development team to learn more, I think we’re all in for something special when Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess launches next month.

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess — Gameplay Trailer «Kagura» | Xbox Partner Preview

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is split into levels where the goal is to defend the maiden as she makes her way from the Torii gate at one end of the level to another. Interestingly, Capcom used miniatures to create these levels and scanned those into the game. They hoped designing levels like this would give them a more grounded, realistic feel and make players feel like they’re looking down on a miniature set while playing Kunitsu-Gami from an isometric perspective.

During the day, players can run around the level to clear it of defilement and free villagers to earn a currency. This currency can then be spent in multiple ways. Players can assign villagers roles, like a Woodcutter who will use melee attacks against enemies and an archer who can