Katana ZERO

Katana ZERO is a fast-paced 2D action platformer by Askiisoft. In a gloomy big city, a mysterious swordsman works as a hitman. His jobs follow a simple, merciless rule: one hit is usually enough to take out enemies, and the main character also dies from a single blow.

The game combines precise combat with a neo-noir story about memory, manipulation and violence. The plot continues between missions through dialogue and cinematic scenes.

Katana ZERO was released on Apr 18, 2019 for PC and Nintendo Switch. A standalone Xbox One version followed on Oct 15, 2020. On Xbox Series, this older Xbox version can be played through backward compatibility.

On May 21, 2024, Askiisoft and Netflix released versions for iOS and Android. The mobile versions were removed from the Netflix games catalogue in 2025. The original game remains available for PC, Switch and Xbox One.

Askiisoft is still working on a large additional story. In October 2026, the studio stated that the expansion should now reach the size of a full sequel.

Katana ZERO was released for PC, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One. The PC version supports Windows and macOS. On Nintendo Switch 2, the Switch version can be played through backward compatibility. The Xbox One version can run on Xbox Series, but it is not a standalone Xbox Series release.

There were also iPhone and Android versions in the Netflix games catalogue. These are no longer regularly available.

Each stage is a short, hand-built combat puzzle. With the katana you defeat enemies, deflect bullets, dodge attacks and use objects from the environment as weapons. If you make a mistake, you restart the stage right away.

The ability to slow down time helps you control bullets, movement and attack chains. Reaction speed and choosing the right route still matter. The player can solve some rooms in different ways by taking out enemies in a different order or using traps to their advantage.

The expansion for Katana ZERO is still in development. Askiisoft said on Oct 22, 2026 that the additional content is now expected to reach roughly the size of a standalone sequel. A soundtrack with more than 30 new tracks is also planned.

An official teaser from Devolver Digital had already shown new story content and combat in 2025. At the time, the expansion was announced as free. However, the latest announcement does not confirm a release date or the previous pricing plan again.

According to Steam, the Windows version requires at least a Pentium E2180 or comparable processor, 1 GB memory, a GeForce 7600 GT and about 200 MB of free storage. Recommended are a Core i3-3240, 2 GB RAM and a GeForce 8800 GTS. Current use of Steam requires Windows 10 or newer.

The game also supports macOS. A native Linux version is not among the platforms listed on Steam.

Between the violent encounters, the protagonist's past increasingly takes centre stage. Conversations can be held or interrupted in different ways. The narrative combines psychological tension, memory fragments and short scenes from the protagonist's everyday life, without permanently pausing the flow of play in the action-heavy sections.

Katana ZERO is designed as a single-player experience. The PC version offers Steam achievements and cloud saves. Menus and subtitles are available in German, English, French, Spanish, Japanese and Korean, among others. Full German voice audio is not included.