Katana ZERO

 Switch
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 250 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 216 out of 250
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 250
  3. Negative: 17 out of 250

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  1. Bitula
    May 18, 2019
    7
    "Katana Zero" is essentially a side scrolling version of "Hotline Miami" but with a flavor of 90s anime and samurai action. You play as an assasin, with halucinations and a questionable grasp on reality. Sound familiar? Also you take orders from a shadowy organisation and between these hits you do menial tasks like drink herbal tea at home or go to the video store to rent movies. Yes this"Katana Zero" is essentially a side scrolling version of "Hotline Miami" but with a flavor of 90s anime and samurai action. You play as an assasin, with halucinations and a questionable grasp on reality. Sound familiar? Also you take orders from a shadowy organisation and between these hits you do menial tasks like drink herbal tea at home or go to the video store to rent movies. Yes this description fits both of these games perfectly. In broad strokes they are the same game. "Katana Zero" does however have a certain character of its own and not only in change of gameplay perspective. The story is original and interesting. There are even parts with unexpected emotional gravity. You care for some of the characters, or at least one of them and after a few hours of playing the game, you are probably invested in the plot.

    The graphics and controls are good and the action is fast and satisfying even if it comes in a bit too short bursts early on in the game. This does however get better once you get past the slightly too easy first half of the game.

    Not a masterpiece in any way but most certainly worth checking out if you like samurai assassins, VHS-nostalgia and fast paced one hit kill action in a gritty neo-noir world. Just don't forget to wear your bathrobe while playing.    … Expand
  2. Xam
    Feb 14, 2020
    6
    Bonne ambiance, bonnes idées, graphismes fins malgré le pixel-art, bref : sympa.
    Mais beaucoup trop court ; 6 heures pour le finir sans se presser. Et en plus il y a un petit manque de précision dans la jouabilité qui dans ce genre de jeux ne pardonne pas (le héros a tendance à trop flotter).
    Hotline Miami 1 est meilleur.
  3. Norleft
    Jul 20, 2020
    7
    Muy buen juego, entraras en el título por el llamativo gameplay, la música y la rapidez con la cual ves que se pueden pasar los niveles, pero no es lo mejor del título.

    Obviamente este juego bebe mucho de Hotline Miami y de como cambio en cierto modo los juegos indie pixel art con su gameplay adictivo de muerte y repetición, este juego adapta esa idea a su gameplay y aporta su narrativa    Muy buen juego, entraras en el título por el llamativo gameplay, la música y la rapidez con la cual ves que se pueden pasar los niveles, pero no es lo mejor del título.

    Obviamente este juego bebe mucho de Hotline Miami y de como cambio en cierto modo los juegos indie pixel art con su gameplay adictivo de muerte y repetición, este juego adapta esa idea a su gameplay y aporta su narrativa e historia que hará que te quedes hasta el final.

    Sinceramente es un titulo que merece mucho la pena jugarlo. no es de duración larga y te deja con ganas de más.    … Expand
  4. Turyman
    Jun 5, 2019
    7
    How to describe Katana Zero? It is not a masterpiece by all means, that's for sure. However it is a solid game. Though I mainly liked it for the art style and music the gameplay gimmick of "slowing time" mixed with a story that's mostly average you end up K.Zero. Fast action moments and dialogue options having partial effects on the story makes it interesting enough to finish. Although notHow to describe Katana Zero? It is not a masterpiece by all means, that's for sure. However it is a solid game. Though I mainly liked it for the art style and music the gameplay gimmick of "slowing time" mixed with a story that's mostly average you end up K.Zero. Fast action moments and dialogue options having partial effects on the story makes it interesting enough to finish. Although not a gem, it's worth checking out if you want a samurai retro game adventure.… Expand
  5. GabFire
    Aug 9, 2020
    6
    Jogo bem besta e bem tosco, não consegui gostar, até abandonei de tão ruim que eu estava achando.

Awards & Rankings

44
#44 Best Switch Game of 2019
22
#22 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2019
51
#51 Most Shared Switch Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 37 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 37
  3. Negative: 0 out of 37
  1. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Feb 27, 2020
    80
    By the end you'll probably be left wanting more. [Issue #40 – July/August 2019, p. 18]
  2. Gameplanet
    Jul 11, 2019
    60
    Katana Zero looks fantastic and has fun fast paced combat, unfortunately the combat is broken up with a confusing and convoluted story. It was all over too quickly, but for people who want more, a dialogue system provides replayability.
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  3. God is a Geek
    Jun 21, 2019
    90
    As is often the case the Switch version adds nothing to the experience, but the graphical style and lightning pace suit the handheld screen way better than they suit a full-sized TV. The Switch, as a result, feels like the natural home for Katana ZERO, which slots perfectly into the existing catalogue.
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