Katana ZERO Review

Perhaps the most popular genres for indie games are action and platformer. After all, they are better-suited to smaller teams and pixel art styles than most others. It is little wonder then that titles like Katana ZERO exist, which combines the two. Developed by Askiisoft and published by Developer Digital, it released for PC and Nintendo Switch in April 2019.

At first glance, you might well think this is just another highly-stylized action title. Katana ZERO certainly looks like other tough-as-nails games, with a striking resemblance to Hotline Miami. However, it strives to make its mark rather than stay in the shadow of other games. There are unique gameplay mechanics and an intriguing narrative that set it apart from many of its contemporaries.

Gameplay

The actual premise of Katana ZERO is fairly simple. Taking control of the protagonist Subject Zero, players must wipe out all the enemies in a stage. Once you have done this you move on to your main target.

Right from the get-go, you are given access to all the tools you will need. You have access to a powerful katana blade and the ability to slow down time. Additionally, Zero can dodge out of the way of attacks or deflect bullets with a carefully-timed slash of his sword. Most levels also have a variety of environmental traps you can trigger to kill enemies remotely.

One of the most satisfying things about the game is that you don’t have to work towards unlocking extra abilities or new skills. In that sense, the combat system is very simple. But because you are given full access to it straight away, it gives you a chance to become intimately familiar with each mechanic. You don’t have to worry about upcoming changes that will significantly alter the gameplay. Everything that you need to master is available from the start.

The upshot of this is that you can get to understand the depth of the combat system. With no combos, it really comes down to understanding the timing of your actions. Fighting enemies becomes a sort of dance routine where you get into a rhythm and succeed only if you make the right movements at the right time. It makes for a very gratifying system that is a lot of fun to play.