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

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. M1sfiT
    Sep 3, 2023
    3
    Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamessss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! kz
  2. Tspeed
    Aug 26, 2023
    9
    The roll and slow mo mechanics elevate this above a lot of similar platform hack and slash games. Towards the end it becomes a bit puzzle like, in that you need to work out a specific order of operations for each room by trial and error - you can just blast your way through. But it never got too tedious for me. Overall, a great game
  3. JAG7
    Apr 20, 2023
    9
    Great game! If you loved Hotline Miami , you’ll love this one. It’s fast, intense and violent. The challenge level is high, be prepared to die a lot. But the loading times are fast and the checkpoints are exactly where you died. Stages are small. Amazing music. This is another Indy jewel.
  4. keshudioo
    Jan 8, 2023
    8
    I've never played Hotline Miami, but I immediately liked Katana Zero. Nice graphics, cool story, great music, challenging gameplay. Recommended!
  5. IamSquid
    Jan 2, 2023
    9
    Its basically Hotline Miami, except as a side-scroller, and yoo play as a samurai.
    In other words: awesome!
  6. sloomo
    Dec 10, 2022
    10
    My god this is a fun game. Violent in a cartoon way. Satisfying. One you don’t want to ever end.
  7. Oddlennon
    Sep 3, 2022
    10
    Such a fantastic, fun game!
    I loved every second of this. It’s fast paced. The fighting controls are unique and fun.
    I really wish I had more to play. I really want a sequel.
  8. GRAFAIAI
    Sep 1, 2022
    0
    this game is so ugly, the gameplay is very bad and dont have any good content
  9. lucinhagamer
    Aug 26, 2022
    0
    this game is very boring and you cant do nothing challenge here, i hate it so much
  10. JPhardboiled
    Jul 7, 2022
    10
    BADASS MUSIC look up the composer Ludowic is SICK! Hard game and fun mechanics. You can slow down time due to being a super soldier on crack! LOL. Fun times and memorable game.
  11. Nintendist
    Jun 30, 2022
    0
    this game deserves a zero because has a big lack of content. i really dislike the gameplay too
  12. mistermuck
    Apr 15, 2022
    9
    Really cool game! I first tried it during a Game Pass trial on my PC, and knew I had to get it on Switch (where it of course plays beautifully)! Still waiting for the promised free DLC levels though. I love the pixel art, animations, gameplay, music, etc!
  13. TSNintendogamer
    Apr 1, 2022
    10
    This is one of my all time favorite games too. For one thing the controls feel so good! That and along with just killing a character just makes it so satisfying from a gameplay standpoint. The story is very good too. I mean it does lead you with some unanswered questions but that's how it's supposed to be. Speaking of which, I wish the DLC would come out soon. I also like theThis is one of my all time favorite games too. For one thing the controls feel so good! That and along with just killing a character just makes it so satisfying from a gameplay standpoint. The story is very good too. I mean it does lead you with some unanswered questions but that's how it's supposed to be. Speaking of which, I wish the DLC would come out soon. I also like the slow down and reply mechanic. The replay mechanic comes from the developer's other game pause ahead and the developers always have something up their sleeve with gameplay mechanics as the tower of heaven(the first game I played from them), also had a unique mechanic. The slow down mechanic really helps a lot with making the game fun too. Lastly when the game was announced at a Nintendo direct, I slept on it and I regret it as the game was way more fun hands on than when I saw the game at the direct. I just thought it was a random killing game but I couldn't be more wrong.… Expand
  14. EdwardG
    Mar 28, 2022
    8
    Katana Zero is a quality instant death 2D action game with an engrossing narrative and great music.

    Combat is a good challenge without getting too frustrating. It's quite simple but it feels good to pull off as you slow down time to deflect bullets with your sword and dispatch your enemies with a single attack. I really enjoyed the story - it's mysterious and tragic, but it ends too    Katana Zero is a quality instant death 2D action game with an engrossing narrative and great music.

    Combat is a good challenge without getting too frustrating. It's quite simple but it feels good to pull off as you slow down time to deflect bullets with your sword and dispatch your enemies with a single attack. I really enjoyed the story - it's mysterious and tragic, but it ends too soon... Thankfully some free DLC is in the works which I hope maintains the excellent standard of writing.

    The soundtrack is top notch. It compliments the mood and tone of the game brilliantly.

    I had fun with Katana Zero and found its story its most compelling feature. It's only a short game and as of yet it hasn't got a totally satisfying conclusion but it's definitely worth your time.    … Expand
  15. drlowdon
    Jan 30, 2022
    8
    Taking place in a dystopic metropolis known as New Mecca, Katana Zero puts the player in control of an assassin known as Subject Zero. Thanks to a drug known as Chronos, he is able to slow down time and predict the future but it soon transpires that secrets are being kept from him.

    In terms of gameplay Katana Zero is a 2D side-scrolling platformer in which players use their abilities to    Taking place in a dystopic metropolis known as New Mecca, Katana Zero puts the player in control of an assassin known as Subject Zero. Thanks to a drug known as Chronos, he is able to slow down time and predict the future but it soon transpires that secrets are being kept from him.

    In terms of gameplay Katana Zero is a 2D side-scrolling platformer in which players use their abilities to slow down time, deflect bullets and dodge attacks in order to kill all the enemies and move onto the next screen. With it’s fast pace, over the top violence, twisted plot and one hit kills, Katana Zero very much put me in mind of the excellent Hotline Miami, and the fact that it compares well shows that this is a very good game indeed.    … Expand
  16. ophone
    Jan 15, 2022
    8
    I liked to go through Katana ZERO with its nervous gameplay, great pixel art, colourful cyber punk aesthetics and story about war and drugs.
    Waiting for its sequel now.
  17. rebster
    Dec 13, 2021
    8
    This is a short, fun, fast-paced game that will leave you feeling satisfied after each level. The soundtrack is fantastic and the style and vibe of the game are amazing. The story is interesting although can be a bit confusing, and you also have dialogue options which is great. I bought it on sale and feel like I got my money's worth even though the game takes less than 4 hours to complete.
  18. Fnerd
    Oct 1, 2021
    9
    From the trailer I expected a 2D version of hotline maiami with fast paced combat and challenging gameplay, however I expect the transition from topdown perspective to classic 2D could do more harm than good.
    Luckly I wasn't disappointed at all, hell, I prefer this than hotline maiami style gameplay.
    The game has a very nice arcadey feel to it, all levels are unique in their own way, the    From the trailer I expected a 2D version of hotline maiami with fast paced combat and challenging gameplay, however I expect the transition from topdown perspective to classic 2D could do more harm than good.
    Luckly I wasn't disappointed at all, hell, I prefer this than hotline maiami style gameplay.
    The game has a very nice arcadey feel to it, all levels are unique in their own way, the music is groovy and the story has mistery injected into his vein. The only complain I have is that the game just ends at one moment, without a true moment to make all the buildup worthy, thing I expect will be fixed in the upcoming dlc. For 15$ it could be a bit of a luckluster experience if you aren't in this fastpaced style gameplay, but if you are this is an absolute must play, especially for speedrunners.    … Expand
  19. xiekaidream
    Sep 17, 2021
    9
    通关mark。 短小精悍的佳作， 子弹时间太好玩了， 剧情也好棒，有点赛博朋克风， 期待更新！
  20. Rubbish
    Jun 26, 2021
    9
    Fast paced action with satisfying combat as well as fun dialoge and a unique and interesting story. Every time i thought the game play might be starting to get repititive they would introduce a new element or level type that kept it fun and challenging. Its not super long and/or big but the price is fair for the quality especially on sale.
    The music and art are also both fantastic.
  21. ColeComplains
    May 2, 2021
    10
    The amount of work and thought put into this game is astounding. Was it worth it? Without a doubt.

    The artwork is just about the most pleasing it can get, mixing pixel art with shaders, screen shake, and other various effects. When handled wrong, these effects could feel like a mess, but they are fine-tuned to perfection. The gameplay is fast-paced and addictive. It lets you slash    The amount of work and thought put into this game is astounding. Was it worth it? Without a doubt.

    The artwork is just about the most pleasing it can get, mixing pixel art with shaders, screen shake, and other various effects. When handled wrong, these effects could feel like a mess, but they are fine-tuned to perfection.

    The gameplay is fast-paced and addictive. It lets you slash through runt enemies at such a fast pace it makes you feel like a pro. There is a mechanic that allows you to slow down time for tougher times, and for less experienced players.

    The story blew me away. Many have said and will continue to say that the story "slows down the gameplay." This is absurd. I wouldn't have even written this review if not for the story. It is incredibly well thought out. Not to mention the story is minorly altered by how you play, making it even more engaging. The gameplay and story intertwine to create a total masterpiece of a game.

    In conclusion, Katana Zero is one of the best indie games you can get. Do not listen to those who say the story drags the rest, or that the gameplay is repetitive, or that it is a ripoff of Hotline Miami. I do not wish to be too harsh but those people do not know what they are talking about.    … Expand
  22. DennisGR
    Apr 16, 2021
    10
    Katana zero is an amazing action 2d game with an engaging story and great bosses. Your chooses affect the game and your connections in mostly meaningful ways. 2021 and I am still waiting for the free dlc to re-download the game. It's worth buying and you are going to find enjoyment from it. Also the main mechanic of the game is one of the collet video game mechanics I have come across
  23. Bitek
    Apr 8, 2021
    8
    cool game with retro graphics and really nice sound track. it is not extremely difficult but it is also not too easy. Recommended.
  24. alan2pc
    Apr 3, 2021
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I give it 7.5/10. There are a lot of cutscenes to click through and an ok story if you’re into that kind of thing. I’m more of a gameplay focused gamer and the gameplay I’d give about 8/10. I would have liked it more with more levels and less dialogue. You will probably like this game if you liked Mother Russia Bleeds(similar story), My Friend Pedro(time slowing combat), and Mark of the Ninja(stealth).… Expand
  25. thryce3
    Mar 22, 2021
    8
    Katana Zero does an awful lot with the old-school aesthetic visually, narratively and emotionally. The action is fun and the connecting the story to the trial-by-death gameplay is quite inventive. It does get a bit annoying at the end when you'll have to redo certain rooms over and over, but the respawn is quick. Overall terrific and perfect for the Switch
  26. Serginho07
    Feb 22, 2021
    10
    Потрясающая игра. Визуал, музыка, сюжет, геймплей! Все на высоте. У этой игры просто нет минусов. Это прекрасно. С нетерпением жду продолжения, если оно конечно будет.
  27. GamingWithUno
    Feb 10, 2021
    10
    Great gameplay, unique story design, amazing soundtrack. Just so good! Must have game for the Switch!
  28. MrTusks
    Jan 12, 2021
    9
    Super slick vaporwave beat-em-up. The puzzle-like combat pretty satisfying.

    Can be a little too trial-and-error. Stealth sections seem out of place.
  29. Gontrand00
    Dec 23, 2020
    10
    Critics are pretty much just a bunch of idiots to downgrade the game so much.

    This game is brilliant. It is really an excellent platform/combat game. The story is fresh and complex, the pacing is perfect, the controls are neat and it's just sooo much fun to wander in your killing missions (I'm not a psycho I swear). The music and the ambiance are deep, I love the mechanic of    Critics are pretty much just a bunch of idiots to downgrade the game so much.

    This game is brilliant. It is really an excellent platform/combat game. The story is fresh and complex, the pacing is perfect, the controls are neat and it's just sooo much fun to wander in your killing missions (I'm not a psycho I swear).

    The music and the ambiance are deep, I love the mechanic of forseeing (therefore the ability to rewind if you get killed). And the dialogue mechanics are neat too.

    All in all, not much bad thing to say. It's ''short'' but enough difficulty to make you play for a bit, and I can't wait for the possible sequel/DLC.    … Expand
  30. pcschmidt00
    Dec 18, 2020
    8
    I’m glad I picked this game back up recently. The sprite work and animations in this game are stellar. Add on some catchy music, an interesting story ,and some good old one-hit KO gameplay and you have a tight and fun platformer (kinda)
prev
Page:

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.
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »