Katana ZERO

Simply one of the best games I've ever played.
The gameplay delivers frantic action, perfectly complemented by an excellent soundtrack.
If you enjoyed the Hotline Miami franchise, don't waste any time... get your hands on this gem!

I'm really excited for the upcoming update!!

Wow, godamn. Especially the music and the story. I'm a sucker for short games, because when well done essentially you take all the effort and quality of longer game and condense them. Like this is that higher quality game from A to Z being amazing.

The story is just on another level, I freaking love it. All the questions that arise, all the twists, the deep and distraught nature of characters. Fantastic storytelling.

The music is another part that's on another level. It sounds amazing and also always is on the perfect front. Like, when it's much less noticeable or gone or whatever when the game wants you to focus on the lore and the kind of music which is used, the emotions portrayed through the music. Amazing again.

Then you have the timers on the choices, the fact you cannot save scum and "cheat" the dialogue options; yet every answer you give has impact. I thought I wouldn't like or care for this "detail", but it is much more than a detail. You have to play with game with the consiousness of your choices. That's what these details allow for, and it is well implemented.

Gameplay is also fun. It's also nicely balanced between storytelling and gameplay time, with nice transitions.

I freaking love and recommend this game

Been a big favorite of mine to play on my switch and I love it even more on my laptop! High-stakes action and fast-paced gameplay in a sick ass cyberpunk package! What's not to love?! Not to mention the incredible soundtrack! The pixel art style and graphic effects are a treat to the eyes and fit well with the music and gameplay. Slashing down enemies as zero is incredibly addictive and fun! 100000% recommend

Hey devs love your game, doubt you will see this but an app store game called “Pixel Heros: Tales of Emond” is using footage from this game to run ads promoting their gatcha game. I figured you would want to hear about it, please like so the devs see.

Amazing story. Great theme and style. If you enjoy goofy humor and bloody fast combat this is your game. This is my favorite game on Steam Ever.

Very nice game I had a lot of fun playing this and am currently shooting for platinum medal after 100% the game.
also something about mosquitoes getting louder. 10/10 game

The fact that this just got a free update - I had to come back and reinstall it. This game is simply a masterpiece in a very small package. A must play, just as others claim it to be. Shout out to the amazing work the devs have done on this game.

An incredible, fun experience that allows for so much badassery on the player's behalf, while also delivering a riveting narrative. (or at least the first 3/4ths of it! Looking forward to the DLC!)

Loved it.

8.5/10

great story
great music
controls are smooth

"powers" a become bit repetitive ( maybe explore different powers in dlc / next game )
bosses should telegraph there moves a bit more
enemies with frame 1 attacks are annoying

Really fun game that gets harder as you go on. The story is unique and the antagonists and pretty cool. My only problem with this game is that it felt a little too short, but that can be canceled out by the fact that a FREE DLC is coming real soon that expands on the story and characters. The soundtrack is very fitting, as well how they make use of it throughout the game. For 15 bucks I heavily recommend this game.

Literal Peak. The Graphics/Design of the game is beautiful, Each level is unique and challenging, But in an exciting way, And the story and pace also goes very well, and leaves on a good note for the Sequel/DLC

I've played this on other platforms, but this replay relay just cements how great of a game this is.
It reminds me of the Hotline Miami games in the best of ways.

Might be my favorite indie game its just so fun a replayable PLUS FREE DLC YEAHHHHHHHH

The best way i can think of describing this game is as follows:
A mix of John Wick Action, Hotline-Miami-esque vibes and gameplay (although its a platformer) with a touch of SUPERHOT through the Chronos mechanic

the story is NOTHING to scoff at either, honestly there are very few games like this on the market today.

I'll give it an 8.9/10 because it can get a bit hectic at times

Great combat, great soundtrack,great graphics, great story, one of the best games I've played

This game is amazing and is a staple of both the indie scene and of the action-platformer genre
If you even remotely like both of these things, don't think twice about getting Katana Zero

One of the best games ever made

I have bought this on every platform possible to support the Dev and have gifted this game to multiple people

It's one of those games that makes you wish you hit your head in the future to lose your memory so you could re-experience again, but i doubt that even a concussion could make me forget the joy and fun i've had with this game, every aspect of it is top notch and unforgettable.

100% beautiful and underrated, can't wait for the DLC

Free DLC coming out soon??? Heck yea!

Amazing game with tons of love. Excellent story too as its a very unique telling of it.

this game is just perfection i cannot name a single flaw with this masterpiece 1000% would recommend

- DIFFICULTY -

🔲 You can play it while your eyes are closed
🔲 Easy
🔲 Normal
☑️ Hard
🔲 "Dark Souls"

- GRAPHICS -

🔲 "MS Paint"
🔲 Bad
🔲 Meh
🔲 Graphics don't matter in this game
🔲 Good
☑️ Beautiful
🔲 Masterpiece

- MUSIC -

🔲 Bad
🔲 Not special
🔲 Good
☑️ Beautiful

- STORY -

🔲 This game has no story
🔲 Like playing "Temple Runners" for the story
🔲 It's there for the people who want it
☑️ Well written
🔲 Epic story

- PRICE -

🔲 Free
🔲 Underpriced
☑️ Perfect price
🔲 Could be cheaper
🔲 Overpriced
🔲 Complete waste of money

- REQUIREMENTS -

🔲 You can run it on a microwave
☑️ Average
🔲 High end
🔲 "NASA" computer

- LENGTH -

🔲 Very short (0 - 3 hours)
☑️ Short (3 - 15 hours)
🔲 Average (15 - 50 hours)
🔲 Long (50 - 90 hours)
🔲 Extremely long (90 - 110 hours)
🔲 No ending

- FUN -

🔲 I'd rather watch paint dry
🔲 Hard to enjoy
🔲 Repetitive
🔲 Actually pretty amusing
☑️ Ride of your life

- REPLAYABILITY -

🔲 It's a one - time experience
🔲 Only for achievements
🔲 If you wait a few months / years
☑️ Definitely
🔲 Infinitely replayable

- WORTH BUYING -

🔲 No
🔲 Wait for sale
☑️ Yes

PS:
- This review is pre-DLC. DLC looks like it's gonna slap hard.
- The game itself can be played for free on mobile if you have a Netflix subscription. I only switched here because I
accidentally deleted my save file there and said I might as well switch

Play this for the fun story telling method. No other game does it like this

I do a run of this game at least once a year, it's genuinely one of the best games ever made. The combat is amazing, music is amazing, and story is amazing. Games pretty short but makes up for it by having a lot of replay value there is a hardmode, an achievement tied to speedrunning and multiple secrets including a secret boss. Well worth your money and time

"That one hit kill, that's how you make it fun" - Dunkey

Dunkey is how I found out about this game. It reminded me of hotline miami, so I just brought it without a second thought. This turned out to be one of my favorite games. Now that the DLC is on the way, I cannot recommend this game enough. The gameplay is great. The music, greater. The story, greatest. Give it a shot. You wont be disappointed.

Ah.. Simply wonderful. In an age where I struggle to finish games, Katana Zero offers a very nice bite sized gaming experience with a nicely delivered heartwrenching story to boot, with some challenges and unlockables too.

With a FREE DLC on the way too!

Wholehearted reservationless recommendation for this one.

I got it when it first came out on been in love with it since and was so great I bought it twice once on xbox and on steam, even still to this day it is too good of a game. To top it all off after three years we finally got conformation the absolutely massive free dlc is still in the works big W.

Overall an amazing game
- Great art
- Great music
- Interesting plot
- Fast pace

Everything about this game is great, Absolutely recommend buying this game at full price

One of the BEST written games I have ever seen, with just the right amount of lore and a twist that will have you shocked, Katana ZERO is a really cool game. It is short and sweet, but with lots of secrets to find with the dialogue choices and secrets to find in levels that will keep you busy. The only drawbacks were the lack of upgrades/point system, the only way to upgrade your gear is after you beat the game which means that the combat can get a little repetitive, but the story makes up for it. The introduction of new enemies helps with the repetition too. The bullet time is done perfectly and can be used in many different ways, and eventually when you get good enough at the game you find yourself using it less because you know your way around the game which makes you feel even cooler. There is an opportunity in the game to use a different character with a new ability, but you only get to see him once: his ability is SO awesome I would love to use it more so im begging to see more like that in the dlc. I highly suggest this game because it is definitely worth the price, and has a story I won't forget for a while.

And remember,
at the end of the day, it's two junkies fighting over the last hit.

I have played this game numerous times; banged out to the soundtrack and have been waiting and praying on the DLC. The fact that it has been 6+ years of hardwork and its STILL COMING FREE?!?!?! YOU ABSOLUTE MAD LAD CHAD. TAKE MY MONEY!!!!!!!

Value per unit of time / dollars spent is very good. Doesn't overstay its welcome, tells its story, leaves.

Easily one of the best games I've ever played. Great soundtrack, incredible gameplay, and a... unique story. I can only pray for a DLC or sequel

it is a really good hack and slash and the story is really good

i dont even know what to say. this game is something i have been needing in the gaming world. a short compact and very flavorfull game with a crazy story. with tons of replayability as far as i can see. its fkn incredible.

Perfect, my 2nd life game. Even with the heavy subject, it helped me soothe through my hardest moment in life.

One of my favorite games ever. I with the best for Justin, love him dearly for making this game, and hope to see the dlc, or maybe a second installment, probably when I am 50.

I have a lot of hours on xbox, been playing the steam version in my freetime after getting a PC. Outstanding game.

I replayed this again recently, awesome game, one of my favorites, I recommend playing it.

One of my favorite games of all time. This game is truly special with phenomenal pixel art, super intense combat with an engaging story and amazing music. This game is an honest to god masterpiece and after seeing trailer for the dlc, I can safely say that more of this masterpiece is coming and that everyone should experience this game.

Katana Zero stands as one of those games that I keep thinking about years after I've played it. The gameplay itself is very refined and fun in the same way the original hotline miami was (with it's own cyber ninja twist), and the story is beautiful and bleak and moving and...

With the announcement today, it's looking like the dlc is gonna come out sometime this year (AND IT'S FREE??????????). So it's a better time than ever to pick this up and play it if you haven't tried yet.

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!! I still can't get over the story and the amazing soundtrack
finished the game before but since I got to have it on this account I decided to play through the whole game again and I don't regret it at all... can't wait for the DLC T-T

Katana Zero is like John Wick on acid - fast kills, trippy story, and neon vibes for days. Slice now, question reality later. Play it. Just play it.

Easily one of the absolute dopest sountracks to go with a video game ever. i love the VHS style pause screen so much. you can tell that the people who made this game ARE lifelong gamers. every little detail thats gone into this game is so well thought out you can help but to become immersed in the story theyve created! fantastic work

I came across this game from it's soundtrack "Panoramic Feeling", listend to it on loop when i was watching the sunset, i was intrigued by where it is from and made a mental note to buy it.
i came for the music and stayed for the story and while i am not a big fan of this sort of gameplay i somehow still had a great time, and the story is amazing to an extent that i became attached to the characters.

Katana ZERO is an awsome game and i am waiting for any dlc to come out!

Played it in one go, don't regret it. Definitely will come back for the other endings

Amazing game, nice art music and story.
High hotline Miami vibes but very unique at the same time.

Good game (if you ignore the existence of hard mode which is just straight up bullshit)

A Bloody Good Time

This game is fucking sick. Fast, action-packed, intense, and increasingly difficult - but never unbearable. You feel like a total badass, and the plot actually supports the gameplay. Every death, every reset, every frustrating defeat makes you wonder what Zero actually has to go through mentally. The trauma and frustration he has to endure is unimaginable.

The storytelling? Absolutely phenomenal. The game drip-feeds information while keeping you constantly confused and lost, just like the protagonist. The medium and types of communication the game uses to express the world and its lore are really unique and interesting. Everything is all over the place at the start, but by the end, things start piecing together and making sense. I really appreciated the pacing - there was just enough room to theorise and piece things together while still getting a steady flow of new details.

The design and attention to detail are insane too. The art direction is fantastic, and the world-building is top-tier. The music is sick too, each level has its own beat, perfectly setting the tone and vibes.

It’s just pure fun. Fast, stylish, brutal, and incredibly satisfying. The only downside is the “To Be Continued” ending, which leaves some plot points unresolved. It wasn’t enough to hurt my experience though, but I’m definitely left wanting more.

Highly recommend this one.

Personal Overall Experience: Amazing – 9/10

A simple action game that manages to deliver an engaging story through bite sized moments and little drops of conversation, without breaking the pacing.

The combat eases you in with an accessible slow motion ability (Chronos), but choosing to forego it and play in real time can feel rewarding in its own right.

Getting good enough to deflect bullets without slowing time is why I consider this game the textbook definition of "easy to pick up, hard to master".

BEST GAME IN THE WORLD, okay okay im over exageratting but its a really good game! 100% reccomend it the music is good the characters are good the colors then game play its all so amazing and everyone deserves to play this game AT LEAST once !!! ;b

Great game with amazing design and gameplay