Katanaut Reviews
Nothing about Katanaut screams originality, but the game’s particular combination of familiar elements comes together in an addictive package. There are a few minor annoyances, but nothing rises to the level of real frustration. Fans of side-scrolling Metroidvanias, retro-themed action games, and roguelites should have a great time with Katanaut.
Katanaut is an action roguelite that relies heavily on the katana: rapid, brutal slashes deliver a powerful impact, with the ability to reload only by hitting in melee, creating an aggressive and satisfying gameplay loop.
Review in Italian | Read full review
With light-speed combat, oodles of customisation, and slick presentation, this is one of those "just one more run" games that will consume all your time before you realise it.
Katanaut delivers a stylish cosmic horror atmosphere and hints at an intriguing story inside a space station full of mutated horrors, but those elements never get enough room to grow thanks to the game’s relentless, fast-paced combat. While swordplay and gunfights are satisfying, the speed and constant action kill any sense of tension or dread that the setting tries to build. Players looking for scares or deeper lore may wish the game was slowed down to explore its world, but fans of quick, action-heavy roguelikes will find the mechanics solid and replayable. It’s a technically impressive indie with promise, though its horror gets overshadowed by non-stop adrenaline, making it a slightly above average experience in general.
Katanaut is a perfectly fun but ultimately rather forgettable Dead Cells-style title. It's perfectly competent at what it sets out to do, and the strong presentation goes a long way, but at the end of the day, it doesn't manage to carve out its own identity. It's absolutely worth a shot if you're burned out on similar games, but don't expect quite as much replay value.
Katanaut delivers enough to keep you floating through a very scary space station. This roguelike has just enough intrigue to keep you coming back. Perfect for those who excel at these, but those who don't may face a lockout.
A solid title for those who are quite familiar and accustomed to roguelikes, although Katanaut suffers from a lack of great variation in the gameplay loop and relies on repetitiveness for much of the journey.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Katanaut is one of the most exciting indie roguelites of 2025. It blends the rewarding progression of Dead Cells, the atmospheric dread of Dead Space, and the precision combat of a Souls-like into a package that feels fresh and addictive. It isn’t perfect—combat can feel awkward at first, and some systems could use fine-tuning—but these flaws are minor compared to the sheer fun of diving into the station’s haunted corridors run after run. Whether you’re slashing through abominations with a katana, unlocking bizarre new upgrades, or just petting the cat before another doomed attempt, Katanaut delivers a memorable experience. For roguelite fans, sci-fi horror lovers, or anyone craving a game with style, substance, and plenty of replayability, Katanaut is absolutely worth the plunge.
Katanaut is a good roguelite: the fun comes from experimenting with different character builds. You will have various melee weapons, firearms and abilities at your disposal, which often lead to a completely new gaming experience. If you love this genre of games, don't hesitate to try the latest work from Voidmaw!
Review in Italian | Read full review
Katanaut is a quick, stylish, and violent roguelike that action, strategy, and atmospheric horror fans will enjoy. This shows how a single developer can use well-known games as motivation to make a game that is both familiar and fresh. With its never-ending challenges, deep customizable options, and hauntingly beautiful world, Katanaut is one of the best games of 2025. It’s a game that rewards skill, exploration, and persistence, and it makes you want to come back for one more run.
Katanaut is a stylish, bloody, and fast-paced roguelike with a strong identity and straightforward mechanics. While its visual and audio flair excites, the game can feel held back by readability issues and an adherence to the Metroidvania format, which emphasizes backtracking in a game that otherwise wants to feel fast.
Katanaut is a must-try for fans of games that demand quick reflexes, keep you on edge, and reward perseverance. The game is worth playing whether you want to learn how to parry perfectly, dive headfirst into dangerous dashes, or explore its creepy hallways in search of answers.
Overall, Katanaut feels like a solid roguelike that delivers on its promises, but doesn't really add any new ideas to the genre. The mouse-controlled katana combat is fun and quick to pick up, the pixel art looks good, and the dialogue adds a touch of dimension. However, it lacks the innovation, strategy, and impactful upgrades to make it truly memorable. For fans of fast-paced, roguelike action, Katanaut can be entertaining for a few hours, but for those looking for a game that refreshes or surprises the genre, it all remains a bit too predictable. It's primarily a game for those who enjoy fast, fluid melee action, less so for those seeking a deep strategic challenge.
Review in Dutch | Read full review