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KATANA KAMI: A Way of the Samurai Story, the latest title from Acquire Corp. (known for Stein’s Gate and Danganronpa), puts you in the shoes of a wandering samurai who witnesses a local tyrant attempting to force a blacksmith’s daughter into marriage. Driven by a sense of justice (and perhaps the allure of the damsel), our hero decides to repay the blacksmith’s debt and win the daughter’s hand. However, things take a turn for the unexpected as he becomes the “chosen one,” tasked with clearing dungeons nightly and juggling various side hustles like trading, mercenary work, and debt collecting. This review explores the gameplay loop of katana forging and dungeon crawling, while also highlighting some significant flaws.

Katana combat in dimly lit dungeons is a core part of the gameplay loop.

Swords, Dungeons, and Endless Grinding

The initial gameplay loop of KATANA KAMI can be summarized in two words: relentless grinding. After a lengthy introduction and tutorial, the first in-game week consists primarily of diving into dungeons (Jikai) and slashing anything that moves. Each dungeon run resets your character level to one, and the dungeon layout changes daily. Death within the Jikai results in the loss of all experience points and collected items, reminiscent of roguelike mechanics. While character progression resets, thankfully, weapon levels are retained (unless discarded or broken).

Each katana offers a unique combat style, and players can equip up to three, switching between them mid-battle. Leveling up weapons unlocks new skills specific to that weapon, even within the same blade type. A special ability called “Katana Time” provides three tiers of power-ups, granting temporary invincibility and stat boosts.

The Art of the Blade

Outside the dungeons, katana forging is equally important. With over 100 weapon types and nine fighting styles (plus cosmetic outfits), finding the perfect blade is a significant undertaking. Swords degrade with use, requiring players to sacrifice old blades for sharpening or upgrading. Cursed or sacred swords demand special materials, further fueling the grind.

The game world offers a variety of activities beyond dungeon crawling, including interactions with different factions.

Factions and Shifting Alliances

To break the monotony of dungeon crawling, KATANA KAMI offers side activities like assisting villagers, debt collection, and deliveries. The game world features three factions: Post Town, Akadama Clan, and Kurofu Family, constantly vying for power. Players can exploit these rivalries for profit and favor by trading swords, undertaking mercenary work, and completing faction quests. Dialogue choices influence relationships, turning allies into enemies or maintaining neutrality.

Frustrating Flaws: Camera, Balance, and Inventory

Despite the engaging premise, KATANA KAMI suffers from significant issues. The fixed top-down camera, combined with poorly lit environments and numerous obstructions, makes combat frustrating. Enemies can easily ambush the player, and the “see-through” ability only activates after an enemy is defeated.

The fixed camera perspective and dark environments often lead to frustrating combat scenarios.

The game’s difficulty balance is also erratic. Enemies can feel trivially easy one moment and overwhelmingly difficult the next. Managing the inventory is another tedious chore, requiring manual sorting and discarding of items. After a night in the Jikai, overflowing inventories become common, and the lack of consistent selling opportunities exacerbates the issue.

The initial excitement of dungeon crawling eventually gives way to repetition. The constant cycle of grinding for resources and levels can feel like an endless, unfulfilling loop.

Conclusion

KATANA KAMI: A Way of the Samurai Story offers a unique blend of katana combat, crafting, and faction dynamics. However, its frustrating camera, uneven difficulty, and tedious inventory management significantly detract from the experience. While the initial grind might appeal to some, the repetitive gameplay loop ultimately hinders long-term enjoyment. Players looking for a deep and rewarding samurai experience may find themselves disappointed by the game’s numerous shortcomings.

Game Information

• Developer: Acquire Corp.
• Publisher: Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd.
• Genre: Action
• Release Date: February 20, 2020
• Platform: PC

System Requirements (Minimum)

• OS: Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10
• CPU: Intel Core i3-4170 @ 3.70GHz
• RAM: 4 GB
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 or better
• Storage: 3 GB

System Requirements (Recommended)

• OS: Windows 10 Home 64-bit
• CPU: Intel Core i5-9300h 2.4GHz
• RAM: 16 GB
• GPU: Nvidia Geforce GTX 1050ti
• Storage: 240GB SSD