Jujutsu Kaisen: Cursed Clash, Worth to Buy?

Jujutsu Kaisen: Cursed Clash emerges as the first home console game for the franchise, positioned within the realm of anime 3D Arena fighting games. Developed Byking, the team behind the My Hero One's Justice series, and published by Bandai Namco, Cursed Clash attempts to distinguish itself through unique mechanics. However, despite these efforts, the game falters, revealing a lackluster execution and a glaring deficit in both time and budget, resulting in an unfinished experience that falls far short of justifying its $60 price tag.

Cursed Clash adopts a 2v2 format, deviating from the standard 1v1 structure typically found in Arena Fighters. The larger stages, destructible environments, and multiple stories aim to compensate for the doubled player count. Drawing parallels to J Stars, the game's mechanics are notably stiff and clunky, reminiscent of My Hero One's Justice, exhibiting a floaty feel. The combat system introduces a unique cursed energy mechanic, aligning with the source material's theme. However, this mechanic, while intriguing, can become frustrating, leading to uneven encounters and an overall lack of polish.

Despite the stiff and floaty combat, the characters within Cursed Clash showcase a sliver of depth. The game features 16 characters from Season 1 and Jujutsu Kaisen Zero, each with unique curse techniques and mechanics. The developers succeed in translating these abilities into the game, adding layers of uniqueness to each character. However, the character roster's size and selection raise eyebrows, with notable omissions and a seemingly incomplete lineup.

Moving to the presentation, Cursed Clash's visuals fail to impress. While character models fare better than expected, animations appear sluggish, lacking the weight needed to convey the power behind attacks. The game's overall look, including the user interface, appears subpar, with lazy design choices evident. The UI, in particular, is criticized for its lack of effort, contributing to the perception of a rushed and unfinished product.

In terms of single-player content, the story mode proves to be a major disappointment. Comprising anime screenshots strung together with basic matches and a few CG cutscenes, the story mode lacks the depth and engagement expected from a narrative-driven experience. Online play further exacerbates the issues, with frame rate drops and a lack of teamwork in the 2v2 format. The absence of a 1v1 option for online play and local multiplayer adds to the game's shortcomings.

Despite some unique aspects and character depth, Cursed Clash is marred by its numerous issues. The combination of unfinished combat mechanics, subpar visuals, and lackluster single-player content contributes to the overall dissatisfaction. While the game may offer occasional moments of fun, it falls significantly short of justifying its $60 price point. In the crowded landscape of anime-based games, Cursed Clash stands out as a cash grab with too many unresolved issues, earning it a 3 out of 10.