Katanaut: Carving a path in the genre's rising tide

GAMING NEWS AlexP - 11-Sept-2025, 8:48 am

The action-roguelite genre, with its blend of high-stakes combat and replayable chaos, has surged in popularity, captivating gamers with titles like Hollow Knight: Silksong and other Metroidvania-inspired gems. Among these, Katanaut stands out as a visceral, stylish addition, delivering a heart-pounding experience that merges cyberpunk aesthetics with cosmic horror. Its fast-paced gameplay and unforgiving difficulty have quickly earned it a place in the spotlight, drawing players into its twisted, ever-shifting world.

Mastering the blade

In Katanaut, players take on the role of Naut, a lone survivor navigating a collapsing space station overrun by grotesque, once-human horrors. The game's premise is steeped in mystery, with a catastrophic event unleashing chaos across sprawling, interconnected levels. Gameplay blends the exploration and backtracking of Metroidvania titles with the unpredictable, procedurally generated runs of a roguelite. Combat is the heart of the experience, demanding precision and reflexes in a souls-like dance of katana slashes, limited-use firearms, and unlockable abilities. Players can experiment with diverse builds, combining weapons, skills, and perks to carve their path through hordes of enemies and brutal bosses. The station's shifting environments hide secrets and escalate challenges, ensuring no two runs feel the same. Pixel-art visuals, drenched in neon and gore, pair with a pulsating technopunk soundtrack to create an immersive, unsettling atmosphere.

Despite its niche appeal, Katanaut has garnered a small but enthusiastic wave of positive feedback on Steam. Players praise its addictive gameplay loop, with one review calling it ''a blood-soaked love letter to roguelites, with combat that feels like a dance of death.'' Others highlight the satisfying build variety and the thrill of uncovering new paths, though some note the steep difficulty—limited health and no checkpoints—can be punishing. The game's ability to balance exploration with relentless action has resonated, earning it admiration as a standout in the genre. For fans of Silksong and similar titles, Katanaut offers a fresh, adrenaline-fueled adventure that pushes the boundaries of what action-roguelites can achieve. Make sure you use our price comparison tool to find the best prices for Katanaut.

Why Katanaut is your next roguelite obsession

Mastering the blade

AlexP

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