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. Iznax
    May 3, 2019
    9
    This is a bite size masterpiece! Story, narrative, presentation, and gameplay, are all amazing. The only 2 things that are questionable and a matter of taste are: 1 It's length and 2 the fact that it is not a AAA photorealistic game. Other than that if you don't mind quality over quantity and can appreciate a more retro inspired presentation this is a game that you should try.
  3. menderleit
    May 7, 2019
    10
    Great art, great mood, awesome soundtrack, great story, and awesome gameplay. This is the first game in a while that I actually had fun playing. It's really well made and very fun to play.
  4. deadfox
    Apr 22, 2019
    10
    I'm absolutely in love with Katana Zero, it cured an itch I've had for games since Hotline Miami and it stuck itself up there with my favorite games I've ever played. it's really fun and everything about it is really top notch, and it's a quick play through. Absolutely worth 15 dollars, the love and care that went into this game shines through every pixel and every sound effect.
  5. PolishJohn
    May 7, 2019
    10
    Honestly it's probably a 9.5 or something but it's a really great game despite me personally being burned out on pixel throwbacks. Action feels perfect. Story is interesting. Dialog options effecting actual gameplay is cool. Watch a playthru of the first couple levels and you'll prob love it.
  6. Lelel86
    Apr 23, 2019
    10
    Katana Zero is a masterpiece. The story is really engaging, mixing Russian mafia, government conspiracies, Samurais, and a Vietnam-ish backstory. The dialogue is amazing and interactive, so it offers some replayability to experiment with different dialogue options.
    The soundtrack is one of my favorite things from this game, it's just as good and fitting as Hotline Miami's OST. Synthwave    Katana Zero is a masterpiece. The story is really engaging, mixing Russian mafia, government conspiracies, Samurais, and a Vietnam-ish backstory. The dialogue is amazing and interactive, so it offers some replayability to experiment with different dialogue options.
    The soundtrack is one of my favorite things from this game, it's just as good and fitting as Hotline Miami's OST. Synthwave and Techno are used for the action parts of the game, and some kind of blues with Japanese vibes is used for calmer parts or dialogue.
    Gameplay-wise the game offers just the right amount of elements and skills to master, the game is never easy, but neither is it ever frustratingly hard. There's a specific skill that makes some parts of the game easier by slowing time down, but you can use it only for a couple of seconds before it needs a cooldown.
    The art style is a mixture of Hotline Miami (neon-noir), the messenger (japanese) and Mother Russia Bleeds (russian mafia, drugs and secret laboratories)
    The game itself is not very long, and ends with a huge cliffhanger, but it manages to stay original and without ever being repetitive through the whole game, which is something really hard to find nowadays.
    Definitely one of my favorite games of this year. I know I'll be replaying it over the next years and can't wait for a sequel or DLC.    … Expand
  7. bthaxton1990
    Apr 25, 2019
    10
    This has become one of my favorite games to play on the Switch. The game play is fast and fluid. You can deflect bullets with your sword, throw objects, maneuver like a ninja and much more. The trial and error in this game is incredible and finding new ways to wipe out enemies without a scratch keeps me on my toes. I love these graphics too. takes me back to the good old days and the musicThis has become one of my favorite games to play on the Switch. The game play is fast and fluid. You can deflect bullets with your sword, throw objects, maneuver like a ninja and much more. The trial and error in this game is incredible and finding new ways to wipe out enemies without a scratch keeps me on my toes. I love these graphics too. takes me back to the good old days and the music is outstanding. Story wise, this one is a mind bender and short, but enjoyable.… Expand
  8. Thesorus
    Apr 24, 2019
    9
    Gorgeous graphics, amazing sound track and very cool story. The level of polish on this game is incredible. Bigger (and smaller) studios should take note. That's the quality expected when shipping a game.
  9. Rollingwithkids
    Nov 1, 2019
    10
    What is this? I don't know! I came in unsuspecting, expecting a sidescroller, but I got so much more. It's Hotline Miami. It's Gunpoint. It's Leon the Professional. I don't know, but I like it A LOT.
  10. sssshali
    Mar 7, 2020
    8
    Fun combat, interesting story.. kinda sad it ended on a cliffhanger like it did. At first I was turned off by the game because of all the visual gimmicks but then I found out you can turn them off in the options menu. Made it a much better experience and wasn't a strain in the eye visually. I like how after you finish a level it replays it for you... as a player it makes you want toFun combat, interesting story.. kinda sad it ended on a cliffhanger like it did. At first I was turned off by the game because of all the visual gimmicks but then I found out you can turn them off in the options menu. Made it a much better experience and wasn't a strain in the eye visually. I like how after you finish a level it replays it for you... as a player it makes you want to perform as clean as possible.… Expand
  11. vocvoc
    Jun 18, 2020
    9
    Solid games. Everything is nice for its genre.

    Only complaint is the "slowing time" mechanics doesn't utilised to its full potential, although its very nice and goes along well with the story, even in speedrun you can turn this mechanic off smh.

    Fun game nevertheless, worth for the price
  12. 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
  13. Predi
    Apr 18, 2019
    10
    Katana Zero has been absolutely incredible. The story is very intriguing, and does not leave you a moment of respite, making you want to continue and keep playing. An Indie masterpiece.
  14. NBMTX
    Apr 19, 2019
    9
    Really solid game. Quick and engaging gameplay, but more importantly it has a very interesting narrative. There's a (sorta) half ending and a regular ending. I don't know if there's any other special options to it, but it ends in a way that sets up later updates or DLC, or perhaps even a sequel... or both/all. There's also some unlockables, and in the process of looking those up, learnedReally solid game. Quick and engaging gameplay, but more importantly it has a very interesting narrative. There's a (sorta) half ending and a regular ending. I don't know if there's any other special options to it, but it ends in a way that sets up later updates or DLC, or perhaps even a sequel... or both/all. There's also some unlockables, and in the process of looking those up, learned of some level designs that had me facepalming at the amount of effort I'd put into them (versus what could have also worked).

    It also has a pretty solid soundtrack.    … Expand
  15. DrChocolate
    Apr 18, 2019
    10
    Sekiro meets Hot Line Miami. Although the game's systems revolve around the one-shot-one-kill mechanic, there is plenty of variety in the action and combat. The levels are absolutely thrilling, the story is great, and you can adjust all the games settings to your liking. Highly recommended.
  16. CheekySasquatch
    Apr 19, 2019
    10
    "The game, is fun. If it isn't fun, why bother?"- Ancient Japanese proverb

    This game gives some of the absolute best fast paced Hotline Miami style killing puzzle gameplay while also knocking it out of the park in the story department. Whereas Hotline had more of a satirical relationship between the two, Katana Zero gives you a much more detailed and immediately compelling tale to take    "The game, is fun. If it isn't fun, why bother?"- Ancient Japanese proverb

    This game gives some of the absolute best fast paced Hotline Miami style killing puzzle gameplay while also knocking it out of the park in the story department. Whereas Hotline had more of a satirical relationship between the two, Katana Zero gives you a much more detailed and immediately compelling tale to take you between levels. The game feels perfectly balanced and levels that you might blaze through in one playthrough may offer a ton of options you missed out on in a subsequent one. Graphically the game is gorgeous as well and has some fantastic world and character designs with some really fun to look at sprites and animations. An absolute gem and a ton of fun to play in handheld mode.    … Expand
  17. fbnaulin
    May 6, 2020
    8
    Well designed game that makes your skills better in every scene, not decaying in challenge. I didn't find the story too engaging, but the gameplay was amazing.
  18. lastfox
    Oct 27, 2020
    4
    It's a solid game but with much less variety than the reviews claim. The gameplay was too repetitive for my taste, but it's not a long game so there's that. I think a lot of effort has been done on the presentation but too little on the mechanics and therefore the replayability.
    The story is a complete ripoff of Hotline Miami, which wasn't great to begin with if we're being honest. But the    It's a solid game but with much less variety than the reviews claim. The gameplay was too repetitive for my taste, but it's not a long game so there's that. I think a lot of effort has been done on the presentation but too little on the mechanics and therefore the replayability.
    The story is a complete ripoff of Hotline Miami, which wasn't great to begin with if we're being honest. But the quirkiness of the characters and the wink wink dialogue started to grate on me pretty fast. The Devolver games feel terribly pretentious in that way, that they try to outsmart the player and use 'shock value' but most of the time I feel disengaged from the story/protagonist by those antics. The game sure looks beautiful, but that’s all there is unfortunately.    … Expand
  19. shinsangyee
    Apr 19, 2019
    9
    작년 셀레스트같이 몰입감 쩔고, 케릭터 움직임 좋고, 인물들 개성 좋고, 비쥬얼 좋고, 자유도 충만한 인디 괴수작
  20. BARDOCK77
    Apr 19, 2019
    9
    KATANA ZERO has lots of passion put into it. From the art direction and music, to the gameplay, story and dialogue.
    It's a short but sweet experience with replay value.
    This is a great introduction to a neo noir post war world, so the story isn't yet finished. There's plenty more to explore and expand upon in an inevitable sequel since the most important plot points don't get resolved.    KATANA ZERO has lots of passion put into it. From the art direction and music, to the gameplay, story and dialogue.
    It's a short but sweet experience with replay value.
    This is a great introduction to a neo noir post war world, so the story isn't yet finished. There's plenty more to explore and expand upon in an inevitable sequel since the most important plot points don't get resolved.
    There's also more content coming for this game as we discover at the end of the first run, so maybe the story will continue then.
    I'm thankful creators still have a passion for pixel art, cool combat mechanics and good story telling.    … Expand
  21. Seanybeyo
    Jun 17, 2019
    9
    Good game moites...however it was quite short there must be a sequel........................
  22. Dwideshrude1
    Jan 13, 2020
    0
    I guess ZERO refers to the rating they wanted you to give the game by not explaining how the game saves. They have a complete disregard for your effort, time, and quality of life in this game. What a waste of my time.
  23. Nintendist
    Jun 30, 2022
    0
    this game deserves a zero because has a big lack of content. i really dislike the gameplay too
  24. lucinhagamer
    Aug 26, 2022
    0
    this game is very boring and you cant do nothing challenge here, i hate it so much
  25. 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
  26. 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.
  27. 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.
  28. steelx
    Sep 23, 2019
    8
    The game would have been a 10, if the story was long. I wish they introduce an update for story.
    The game is so amazing, action-packed. The story makes you feel like you are into the game.
    Worth the buy would recommend you buy during the sale.
  29. Bastrix
    Sep 2, 2019
    8
    Brilliant little game, not too short but not very long either. You will die quickly but its fast paced and addictive. The simple combat mechanics are enough to keep you hooked throughout the entire game. The art and animations are awesome, the story goes a little bit too mental for my taste but its part of its charm. Well worth the money!
  30. 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
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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

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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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