There’s no shortage of difficult, retro style 2D side-scrollers to pick and choose from in 2019, so any game entering the crowded niche needs to be something pretty special. Luckily, Katana Zero has you covered.
Katana Zero, on its surface, looks much like its peers, but it does have a bit of a story to it. In between levels we learn more about the mysterious protagonist. I can’t go into too much detail as it’s best to discover the plot for yourself, but things don’t quite seem right with the assassin, and the world he inhabits. The game also has some nice plot progression, featuring discussions with NPCs as well as various dialogue options.
While the gameplay isn’t revolutionary, it is silky smooth. You can jump off walls, roll to avoid attacks, pick up and throw items and, of course, slash enemies. Each level requires a restart if you fail, so it is less about all out violence and more about planning. When planning is complete, it is then when you’ll need to you’re reactions and skill to get through, and level do get rather difficult.
However, despite this game getting hard as nails, it doesn’t start this way. Katana Zero does something almost considered heresy amongst its peers and has a sensible, progressive learning curve. That’s right, the game actually helps you ’git gud’. In no time you’ll be slaying endless gangsters while rolling through gun fire, all while knowing that one hit will send you back to the start of the level.
Katana Zero is due for release on PC, Mac and Nintendo Switch on April 18th.
Check out the rest of our Rezzed 2019 coverage here.
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