Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash: Building a New Game Based on Beloved Source Material
Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash brings the world of Jujutsu Kaisen to console gaming! Jujutsu Kaisen, known for its serialization in Shueisha’s “Weekly Shonen Jump” and its action-packed anime series, joins the gaming world this February in a 2v2 action game where players go head-to-head in Cursed Technique battles.
In the story of Jujutsu Kaisen, the world is filled with Cursed Spirits that can only be exorcised by Jujutsu Sorcerers who utilize Cursed Energy and unique Cursed Techniques. Cursed Clash takes the concept of Cursed Techniques to new heights, where players can play as their favorite Jujutsu Sorcerers or Cursed Spirits and battle it out in exciting 2v2 matches that feel like you’re genuinely channeling the strength each character embodies.
To learn more about Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash and its connection to the original works, we met with the game’s lead Producer, Misaki Kai, to answer a few questions. Check out the interview below!
Each character in Jujutsu Kaisen has unique skills and Cursed Techniques that open the door to many ways a player can strategize during gameplay. How did the team build the Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash roster while staying faithful to the source material?
Misaki Kai: The characters in Jujutsu Kaisen have very detailed and distinctive Cursed Techniques. The first priority in development for us was determining which elements of each character would allow the player to feel the character’s personality when playing the game. However, there are some special characters, such as Satoru Gojo and Ryomen Sukuna, the strongest of the characters, so we had to continue adjusting the game’s balance until the very end.
While we value the characters’ unique characteristics, a PvP game also requires balance. Since there is an element of growth during battles in the game, we adjusted Gojo and Sukuna so that it takes time for them to build up energy, but when they are fully powered up, they will become the “strongest” in the game. As for the other characters, we have also adjusted the speed of their growth so that you can feel the character’s personality.
What inspired the 2v2 combat, and what gameplay elements are unique to Cursed Clash?
Misaki Kai: In the original work, there are, of course, 1v1 battle scenes, but in major battles, two characters often face off against a powerful enemy.
We felt one of the strong elements of Jujutsu Kaisen is the bonds between characters that can only be forged through battle. Even though it may be challenging to overcome some adversaries, the strength and built-up trust between characters is what helps them overcome an otherwise insurmountable enemy. This is what we wanted to try to portray in the battle system in Cursed Clash. We wanted to bring that sense of camaraderie and combined strength to the players and let them immerse themselves further in the world of Jujutsu Kaisen.
In addition, there are moves called “Cursed Techniques” that are sometimes the only way to deal damage. By inserting “Cursed Techniques,” the idea was to give the player more strategy in figuring out where to execute them in battle. Rather than just focusing on attacking, the addition of “Cursed Techniques” changes things up a bit and also gives the player an opportunity for a last-minute comeback even when they’re up against the ropes.
How would you say the gameplay elements add to the game’s authenticity to the original work? Would you say that Jujutsu Kaisen fans would feel immersed in the character they are playing?
Misaki Kai: In the previous answer about the characters’ characteristics, I mentioned that we have tried to reproduce as many of each character’s unique traits as much as possible.
For example, Toge Inumaki’s “Cursed Speech” can damage his throat – and that can be particularly dangerous if he uses it against a strong opponent. If you use Cursed Speech, there is a gauge that will decrease. The stronger the opponent, the more significant the decrease. Once that gauge has been depleted, the player will take damage. However, you can recover the gauge by using throat medicine!
Regarding Ryomen Sukuna, we have made it so that, despite the 2v2 combat, you blow up your partner as well as the opponents. This mechanic allows players to feel the actual presence of the King of Curses.
These ideas are drawn directly from the source material, so the player can really experience Jujutsu Kaisen fighting by mastering the character’s Cursed Techniques.
Jujutsu Kaisen is one of the most popular publications in the world right now, and in the original works, there are many iconic moments and fight scenes that fans know and love. What did the team do to capture and implement these moments into the game, and what are a few ways that fans who pick up the game can experience these moments?
Misaki Kai: Players can experience memorable battle scenes from the anime and the original work, such as Black Flash and Domain Expansion.
Some of the Domain Expansions change the entire field when activated, trapping players within the Domain. This allows players to experience the feeling of being in a strong space or the sense of danger when they are dragged into the opponent’s Domain, just like the first time Yuji Itadori was exposed to a Domain Expansion.
Do you have additional comments or things you’d like to tell fans?
Misaki Kai: Since this is a 2v2 game, your strategy will expand depending on the combination of characters. You will need to change your strategy depending on the characters you have paired up with, so I hope you will find your favorite combination and enjoy a cursed co-op combat game!
That concludes our talk with the Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash producer, Misaki Kai! Whether you plan to play solo through story mode or challenge other fans or friends online, players can look forward to engaging in cursed 2v2 combat on February 2, 2024 – preorder Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash on Xbox today!
Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash
Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.