Shares 0 0 0 0 0 0 Fortune favours the brave, or so the saying goes. Back in 2006, Capcom’s Okami painted a shining picture of video games as an art form, eschewing realistic visuals for a breathtaking canvas adorned with a cel-shaded and watercolour flair. It suffered from poor sales, bolstering the argument for adopting a tried-and-tested formula, but earned a proud, enduring legacy that few can boast – one of the all-time industry bests.

The company’s upcoming romp, Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess , shares the same spirit of innovation. Like its culturally rich peer, featured in a special in-game collaboration that runs until 17 July, it challenges the idea of conventional genres, aligning with its billing as a “unique Japanese-inspired, single-player Kagura action strategy game”. Tower defense elements make up a core part of gameplay, as is the ability to control an active character in the field and execute combo chains in rhythmic, elegant strokes.

There’s plenty of pizzazz to bask in, too. The hybrid adventure pulls from Japanese mythology and folklore, featuring striking colours that breathe more life into the world. Between the distinctive visual identity and unique blend of gameplay, Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess comes across as a refreshing entry that’s bold enough to be off the beaten path and thrives at doing so.

It holds no reservations in dancing to their tune, and there’s merit in that – strengths, flaws, and all. Revolving around a tigh.