Summary

• Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash's gameplay is unbalanced, clunky, and frustrating, with small stages making matches chaotic.
• The story mode is disappointing, relying on slideshows that skip a lot.
• The lack of local multiplayer limits the game's fun, and the online mode is dependent on populated servers for optimal experience.

If curses in the world of Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash are born from negative feelings, then developer Byking and Gemdrops 2v2 arena fighter would risk the creation of a potent enemy. While there are moments of fun to be had in Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash, it unfortunately fails more than it succeeds.

The Jujutsu Kaisen franchise has been a massive hit, with season 2 of the anime recently concluding the Shibuya arc, and the manga wrapping up its' final story beats. Sadly, the first serious attempt at making a video game around the anime's first arc ends the franchise's streak of producing compelling content.

Unbalanced Gameplay Is The Real Curse

Many 3D arena fighting games based on anime properties have underwhelmed players with gameplay mechanics that feel clunky and unsatisfying. JJKCC's combat attempts to set itself apart from other 3D fighters with a couple of unique mechanics. Cursed energy builds up as players land low-damage normal attacks until stronger cursed attacks can be performed. Also, the two vs. two matches encourage players to set up effective strategies with the game's diverse cast and their unique playstyles. However, the results are an uneven distribution of satisfying setups with clunky, unbalanced, and frustrating moments.

Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash does not local multiplayer, which is a shame because playing it with friends is where the game is the most fun.

The game's roster of 16 characters includes almost every cast member from JJK's first few arcs and their diverse range of attacks. Each character's moveset accurately recreates iconic abilities like Gojo's Hollow Purple and Maki's effective use of cursed weapons. Players punch and kick their foes, causing cursed energy to build, helping cause more damage, and enabling bigger attacks. However, many of JJKCC's stages are small, which can make a match with four players extraordinarily chaotic and challenging to follow, especially with the game's unbalanced roster of 16 characters.

Characters like Nobara, Gojo, and Jogo excel in long-distance fighting, while other characters like Itadori and Nanami are more effective at close range. Choosing a team of two fighters with opposite styles is a great tactic. Still, effective long-range fighters can easily make a match feel unbalanced. A well-balanced team with a reliable teammate can create rewarding t attacks and prove effective, implementing tactics or helping powered-up players execute the series' popular Domain Expansion attacks.

In JJKCC, the few characters who can use Domain Expansion either use it as an ultimate attack or dramatically alter the stage to temporarily create a new area where the 's attacks are boosted. However, the visually pleasing attacks can only be used once a player's cursed energy meter is full, and it takes more than a few vulnerable seconds to execute. The Domain Expansions can be beneficial but do not guarantee a win and can even affect teammates, which is another instance that makes JJKCC feel like it would be a better experience as a 1v1 fighter.

Cursed Clash Presents JJK's Stellar Story In A Underwhelming Way

Story mode is one of Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash's biggest disappointments, because 80 percent of the mode is experienced through image slideshows with uninspired voice acting layered over it. As players progress through the story mode, a relationship chart begins to form with newly established connections between allies and foes. This easy-to-miss feature surprisingly adds new scenes and outfits.

Unlockable costumes and new story interactions help make the game an appealing purchase for those who can not get enough of author Gege Akutami's world and characters. Despite being presented with the underwhelming slideshow format, the unlocked interactions feature conversations and slice-of-life moments between the cast that were not included in the manga or anime. However, the Story Mode's lack of intense boss battles and in-game cut scenes take a lot away from the first JJK game, which could have been the most stylish adaptation of Gege's story yet.

Besides the disappointing regurgitation of JJK's first few arcs in the story mode, the game also includes a small collection of online and versus modes. The most fun players will likely have with JJKCC is playing matches against other players. While fighting with a reliable teammate is when the game plays its best, the lack of local multiplayer for cooperative and versus battles means the game can only be at its most fun if the online servers are working correctly and populated with players of even skill levels - requirements that are only sometimes met.

Final Thoughts & Review Score

2.5/5

Because of the disappointing presentation and lack of engaging modes, Jujutsu Kaisen Curshed Clash is difficult to recommend to anyone other than the most invested JJK veterans. While the characters and ultimate attacks can look great with well-constructed animations, the gameplay fails to be addicting enough to entice players to keep coming back. The franchise is an incredible vehicle for a great fighting game, but unfortunately that potential has not been realized in Jujutsu Kaisen Curshed Clash.

A PlayStation 5 review copy of Jujutsu Kaisen Curshed Clash was provided to Screen Rant for the purposes of this review.