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0 Katanaut is a new 2D horror roguelite by Voidmaw now available on PC. Enter a massive drifting space station and explore the horrors within while discovering enhancements and unlocks to increase your combat prowess. With publishing assistance from the newly resurrected Acclaim, Inc., you can pick it up only on Steam.
If Dead Space and Dead Cells Had a Baby…
Anyone breezing over info about Katanaut may also make the same comparison I did to Dead Cells. Both are pixel graphic 2D action roguelites with seemingly similar mechanics. So then, what sets them apart? What makes each worth playing in their own right? Comparisons slightly aside, I dove into Katanaut to find out. Read up on my thoughts below.
Gameplay
Katanaut is an action roguelite that will challenge your ability to be quick, responsive, and deadly. You’ll explore procedurally generated areas while searching for answers aboard a massive drifting space station. While searching for answers, you’ll also encounter abominations and horrors mindlessly wandering the halls. Pick up and enhance skills and weapons to take them down via fluid, fast-paced combat.
As in any quality roguelite, death is not the end in Katanaut. Exploration through repeat runs will reward memory fragments that then convert to weapons, skills, perks, and passives to further your ability to delve deeper into the station. Progression will take a combination of skill and reflexes — as well as setting up the best build that suits you.
Much like Dead Cells, Katanaut has a bit of a learning curve. At least for me, it does. I struggle with advancing through areas while picking up on the particulars of the different abilities and weapons. I still have yet to be able to defeat the first boss. The difficulty does not deter me, as I continue to discover hidden areas, memory fragments, and random NPCs as I explore. I found it much more rewarding fully exploring areas to find more unlocks rather than just trying to rush directly to the boss. Becoming more adept at the combat will just take time with my ageing reflexes.
Graphics & Audio
Katanaut brings a dark, cyberpunk pixel art style that fits very well with the gameplay. This in combination with the horror elements and looming audio track makes for a unique aesthetic. However, it also does at times result in enemies overlapping one another, making it difficult to see every incoming attack. Other than that, I didn’t note any issues from the visual or audio quality throughout my time playing thus far.
My time with Katanaut has primarily been on my Steam Deck, where it plays just as well as on my PC. Playing with a controller on my PC feels the same too for controls on either platform. I do wonder why it isn’t at least flagged as Playable on Steam Deck, if not Verified for it. Maybe Voidmaw simply hasn’t put in an application for it? Get on that!
Longevity
At this time, I cannot say what the longevity looks like for Katanaut. This is a full release rather than just early access, so the majority, if not all, of the base content is already available. If anything, it is a game for those die-hard gamers who want a challenging roguelite experience with a vast number of collectibles to be found. Personally, I will have to keep playing it consistently if I want to ever progress — so that my skill at playing the game doesn’t fall off like it did for me with Dead Cells.
Final Thoughts
Katanaut is a great and challenging addition to the roguelite space. However, apart from the setting and faster-paced combat and difficulty level, it doesn’t do much to distinctly separate it from similar titles. It does check that Steam Deck library box for me though and will remain on my deck for some time to come. Definitely deserving of our Thumb Culture Gold Award!
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.
If you enjoy this review, be sure to check out my other reviews here.
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