Katanaut Review: Slashy Slashy, Red Everywhere

 

 

Hoo boy, say, "Hello" to Dead Cells-lite. Not trying to be negative, even being on par with such a polished game is a compliment and Katanaut is getting there. A sci-fi tale with plenty of background lore and a huge amount of blood splatter to get behind. I'm not sure about commitment to a game like that right now. CloverPit and me are just starting to really get to know each other. And, you'll get to know Kataunaut, if you won't to put the time in. It's both a rogue-lite and a metroidvania, that's why I'm sticking to the Dead Cells reference. The "lite" I'll get too.

 

First up, the name is dope as Hell. Katanaut, c'mon, how has that not be a title already. That needs to be a poster and Saturday Morning Cartoon we never got.

 

The setting is a messed up space station in the future with some kind of zombie or alien virus turning people into a gross murder horde. You're stuck in a time loop with a plethora of skills and weapons to make the background in this game look like some really bad accident at a ketchup factory.

 

The "lite" comes from gameplay. I'm not that sold, sure, different skill attacks look cool, but I feel as though I mainly just use my main slashing technique to pulverize what's left of people into mush. It's why it's called Katanaut. I love their are skills that let you pull off amazing anime like fight moves, but mainly it feels like I'm just running through slashing people with little more to show for it based on whatever build I get on my new run-through.

 

If it's all about the blade, make the main strike ability addictive to do. What's the point of even having a gun or other skills if the main blade isn't that compelling? 

 

A few other issues with balance/weight and moves could be fixed with patches.

 

Now, I still could easily get lost in it. As every time you die and come back something comes out to make you a little bit stronger. So many skills and new weapons to try. And there was time taken to make it fun. I see there's a cat at your home base to pet and wait...did a pirate just show up? Oh and skippable lore cutscenes.

 

So, there's a game to keep playing over and over again to make the first boss wish he was never born. Or was created in a lab without skin and I think was the combination of canine and bovine DNA. In any case, to cut to the chase, there's a game you could get into here. But, it could have a more compelling main move or changed it up like when you change your powers/weapon in Dead Cells/Metroidvania. Ughh, so close to a perfect cut.

 

Katanaut

Out Now on Steam

consoles TBA

 Game provided by publisher for review purposes