Katanaut review

Katanaut is a bloody, brutal roguelite that’s backed by action that’s more intense than most of its peers. You play as Naut, a kabuto-clad swordman tasked with navigating through a derelict space station that’s filled with pixel-art interpretations of cosmic horror. While 2D sprites don’t always instill a sense of dread, seeing hallways swarming with shadowy, appendage-jerking abominations generates a feeling of trepidation that most side-scrolling games struggle to generate.

Developed by solo creator Voidmaw, each run in Katanaut is a desperate battle against the inevitability of death. Like many roguelikes you’ll begin deliberately underpowered, with no more than three hit points and a restorative syringe keeping you from becoming a corpse. And while there was a feeling of fragility in prerelease versions, lately Voidmaw has provided more leniency. Personally, I appreciate diving into the groove offer by a longer run.

The Rhythm of Blades and Bullets

Combat is one of Katanaut’s key unconcealed strengths. Pleasingly, your katana is fast and cleaves down basic space-creeps with a few swings. Depending on an early build choice, your blade will either parry attacks or launch Naut forward.  Firearms add the reassurance associated with distance but depend on ammunition that’s only restocked with successful melee strikes. Lastly, a pair of skill slots provide access to everything from explosions, slow-motion, and poison. Best of all, the title thrives on movement and rhythm, letting players instigate a pulpy bloodbath that coats the walls with eldritchian viscera.

Unsurprisingly, Katanaut’s progression adheres to roguelite tradition. Death is both a punishment and teacher. Each ruined run provides memory fragments, a currency that can be used to purchase permanent upgrades for your next attempt. Additionally, you’ll unlock a tableful of skill, perks, weapons, blades, and implants, helping Voidmaw from growing stale too soon. But at present, augmentation is a protracted process, with modest run dividends and steep purchase prices, which can feel like playtime padding.

The Bold Colours Out of Space

Katanaut’s atmosphere isn’t just a product of its gratifying combat but also uses its aesthetics to deliver a sense of dread. The game’s sprite art is filled with animations that make space-suited corpses malformed multi-mouthed monsters twitch unnervingly. And wisely, Voidmaw conceals adversity in shadows, crowds, and entrails, rarely giving up a good look at these ghastly enemies. Complementing this is a soundscape that uses layered synth washes, industrial drones, and the unsettling audio cuts that make everything feel more imposing.

Katanaut is a magnificently fierce roguelite that juggles mechanical intensity with an engaging aesthetic. Its combat is relentless and rarely unfair, while the game’s presentation is engrossing enough to motivate replay. At times, the grind of slow unlocks may frustrate, but those with patience will find their persistence rewarded. For players seeking a roguelite that delivers absorbing combat against all kinds of cosmic horror, Katanaut is one of the better entries in the genre.

Katanaut was played on PC with review code provided by the publisher.