It has been four years since the 2021 launch, and the Demon Slayer series is back with its second installment. Officially released on the 6th, it is steadily climbing the Steam global sales charts, currently sporting a 'Mostly Positive' user rating.

The Hinokami Chronicles 2 picks up where the predecessor left off, covering the Entertainment District, Swordsmith Village, and Hashira Training arcs. Naturally, the entire roster from the first game returns, but the real treat is the inclusion of the full Hashira lineup: Muichiro Tokito, Mitsuri Kanroji, Obanai Iguro, Sanemi Shinazugawa, and Gyomei Himejima have all joined the fray.

Combat gets a tactical shake-up with 'Joint Ultimate Arts,' allowing specific character pairings to dish out massive damage. Players can now also equip up to three pieces of gear to boost poison resistance or restore health mid-fight. Furthermore, a new 'Trajectory of the Demon Slayer' system allows players to revisit the Tanjiro Kamado, Unwavering Resolve, and Mugen Train arcs from the previous entry.

User reception currently sits at 'Mostly Positive' (with 552 reviews, 79% positive). Many players are praising the story mode for its slick direction, visceral action, and fresh systems. With the Infinity Castle film set for release on the 22nd, some fans argue it is a solid way to catch up on the narrative. However, it is not all sunshine; the online multiplayer is being plagued by netcode issues and input lag, with some players claiming the experience is actually worse than the first game.

Elsewhere on the global charts, Cyberpunk 2077 has surged to the number one spot, ousting Battlefield 6 thanks to a hefty 65% discount. Titan Quest 2 has slipped slightly in the rankings, though it remains impressively 'Very Positive' despite a threefold increase in review volume since launch.

In the daily peak Concurrent Players top 20, Destiny 2 has made a long-awaited return to the charts with 75,136 players, thanks to its new summer festival. Marvel Rivals continues to hold steady with over 100,000 Concurrent Players since the launch of Season 3 in July. However, the matchmaking complaints persist, leaving the recent user rating in a 'Mixed' state.