Katanaut

Katanaut is fast-paced, good-looking, and pretty fun despite its overall sci-fi horror tone.

If you’re a fan of challenging combat, rich atmosphere, and games that respect your ability to figure things out on your own, Katanaut is easily one of the most memorable titles of 2025. It’s not for everyone — players looking for a relaxed or straightforward experience might bounce off its harsh learning curve.

Overall, I had a fun time playing Katanaut. Those seeking an action game about a space samurai slicing through icky monsters should consider it.

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!

Is Katanaut an evolution on roguelites in general? No. But is it a good game? Absolutely! While it may not change the minds of those who want a more easier time, Katanaut manages to impress with it’s fast-pace and bloody action into the unknown corners of the dreaded space station.

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.

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.

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 proves to be a work with a dual soul, a title capable of offering a well-designed combat system with great artistic direction and an apt synthwave soundtrack, but which also has several imperfections. Katanaut is a raw weapon, at times repetitive due to procedural level design that is not always top-notch and a narrative that serves as a mere pretext, but in the right hands, it can be immensely satisfying. Recommended for roguelite lovers looking for a challenging experience.

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.