Kintarō has an enormous axe, superhuman strength, and a bear named Kuma who he brings along for every fight. You can ride the bear into battle, charge straight through enemies, or jump down and fight alongside him while he deals with anything that gets too close. You can even control Kuma separately, which gives you two characters to worry about when the Nightmare starts throwing everything it has at you.
Passtech Games‘ latest Ravenswatch DLC launches today, bringing the legendary Golden Boy of Japanese folklore into the roguelike’s growing collection of fairy-tale heroes. Kintarō comes with his own abilities, Talents, two Ultimate abilities, and a story that takes him from the mountains of Japan into the corrupted world of Reverie.
He’s also bringing seven new outfits, because even a bear deserves something nice to wear occasionally.
Sometimes It’s Better to Stay on the Bear
Kintarō’s biggest trick is being able to switch between two completely different ways of fighting. While riding Kuma, you control the bear directly, using his powerful claws to attack enemies and charging through groups to clear a path. He can also unleash a battle cry that blocks incoming attacks, giving you a way to protect yourself when things get too crowded.
Jump off his back, however, and the pair start fighting together. Kintarō swings his enormous axe while Kuma attacks nearby enemies automatically. You can also take direct control of the bear’s movement, letting you send him towards another target, move him into a better position, or pull him away from danger.
That gives you plenty to think about during a fight. You may want Kuma dealing with one group while Kintarō concentrates on another, or bring them back together when an enemy needs both of their attention. Switching between mounted combat and fighting on foot becomes an important part of getting the most out of their abilities.
There’s one catch, though…they share the same health bar.
Your Bear Can Get Hurt Too
Kuma doesn’t take damage in quite the same way as Kintarō. When the bear gets hit, that damage is transferred to Kintarō as Internal Damage. You can recover from those wounds by climbing back onto Kuma and staying mounted, which means the decision to fight separately comes with a risk.
Sending your bear into a group of enemies might help you deal damage from two directions, but leaving him surrounded for too long could create a problem that follows you even after the fight is over. You’ll need to keep an eye on where both characters are standing and know when it’s time to bring them back together.
Kintarō also has his own selection of Talents to unlock and combine during runs, alongside two Ultimate abilities that give him more options as he grows stronger. With the ability to change fighting styles in the middle of combat, those upgrades offer different ways to build around Kuma, Kintarō, or the pair working together.
For anyone used to controlling a single hero in Ravenswatch, having a second fighter to manage should take some getting used to. At least you won’t have to worry about finding somewhere to park the bear.
There’s a Reason Kintarō Has Come to Reverie
Kintarō hasn’t travelled all this way simply because he fancied fighting a few monsters. Raised in the mountains by Yama-Uba, an ogress who taught him to live alongside nature, he’s been entrusted with a mysterious yamabuki flower and a message for her sister, Baba Yaga.
That journey brings him into Reverie, where the Nightmare has corrupted the land and left the other heroes of the Ravenswatch dealing with their own curses and wounds.
Kintarō is different. He’s innocent, courageous, and untouched by the corruption affecting the others, which gives his arrival an interesting place in the game’s wider story. The DLC includes seven narrated Memories following Kintarō and Kuma’s journey, giving players more to discover about the pair as they continue fighting through Reverie. There are also seven exclusive outfits to unlock for both characters.
Alongside the paid DLC, Passtech Games is releasing a free update for all Ravenswatch players, including a rework of the Talent systems across the existing heroes.
Ravenswatch: Kintarō launches today, October 12, on PC and consoles, adding another hero to the roster and a very different way to deal with the Nightmare. You can fight with an axe, charge through enemies on a bear, or split up and attack from two directions. Just make sure Kuma gets back in one piece.