Katanaut is an action-packed roguelite that blends cosmic horror with sharp, stylish combat. Developed entirely by one person—Voidmaw (aka Eugene)—it’s a passion project through and through. I always love seeing solo projects rise to a certain level of respect, but the real question is: does Katanaut earn that recognition?
How does Katanaut play?
If you’ve ever touched a certain “slightly popular” game called Dead Cells, you’ll immediately feel right at home here. In fact, it’s like Dead Space and Dead Cells just had a baby. And that’s absolutely a compliment.
There’s something inherently cool about a katana-wielding astronaut carving through cosmic horrors. Most cosmic horror games hand you a gun or some sci-fi gadget, but here, you’re just a lone warrior with a blade—and that makes every fight feel more personal.
Combat flows as smoothly as Dead Cells, but it still feels distinct. Each weapon has its own personality: heavy-hitting katanas for slow, devastating blows, or lighter blades for rapid combos. It’s the kind of system that lets you play your way. On top of that, abilities gained from enemies and treasure chests stack into creative, unique combos that keep each run fresh. I also loved the environmental touches—like kicking barrels into enemies before rushing in. Small details like this make a big difference.
What is Katanaut missing?
If there’s one area where Katanaut stumbles, it’s in the “horror” side of cosmic horror. Yes, the enemies look terrifying, but I never felt that creeping sense of dread or panic that usually comes with facing the unknown. The game is challenging and fast-paced, but I never truly feared what was chasing me.
Is Katanaut worth it?
When a game like Dead Cells blows up, plenty of shallow imitations pop up. Katanaut isn’t one of them. Katanaut is a Dead Cells tribute done the right way. The current launch discount drops it under $15, and for that price, it’s an easy recommendation for roguelite fans.
For a solo developer’s debut, Katanaut is impressive—stylish combat, clever design, and one of the best themes I’ve seen attached to a roguelite. Voidmaw clearly has talent, and I’m excited to see where he takes things next.
Katanaut is available now on Steam for $17.99 (or regional equivalent) and has a two-week launch discount of 20%! And thanks to Acclaim, you can expect Katanaut to release on consoles some time next year!
