'Katana Zero (2019)' is a 2D action game in which you control an amnesiac assassin with the 'gift' of drug-induced precognition, which allows him to foresee any upcoming scenario an infinite amount of times before he actually undergoes. This, naturally, means that he always takes the best path. Until, that is, his perception of time and reality begin to distort themselves, seemingly in coincidence with the unravelling of a conspiracy surrounding his mysterious past and his present employer. What this equates to, gameplay-wise, is a series of relatively short levels that play out as pseudo puzzles, with each death 'rewinding the tape' and putting you back at the beginning so you can learn from your mistakes. It still has some reliance on twitch reflexes, though, and is very much an action-packed affair. With fluid movement and attack controls, the game is a blast to play. It's stylish, energetic and addictive from beginning to end. It also has a surprisingly engaging story which ought to keep you hooked all the way until its admittedly unfulfilling end (the plot sort of just stops part way through, with plenty of unanswered questions, which paves the way for a potential sequel but leaves a rather bitter aftertaste, for sure). This is helped by the fact that your choices matter, leading to things like secret boss enemies and alternate endings, and that the unique dialogue system feels dynamic in the best possible way. Pretty much everything is diegetic, which adds to the game's overall off-kilter, neon-infused, sci-fi aesthetic. That aesthetic is really distinct and appealing, too. The pixel art is fantastic and the animation is even better. The music is really good, too. Ultimately, the game is very entertaining. It's a bit short and comes to a close all too abruptly, but its well-written narrative and refined gameplay make it easy to recommend nevertheless. 8/10.
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