Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 76 | 46 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 90% | 84 | 269 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 82% | 76 | 9 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Aug 29, 2026) · 8 reviews sampled · 9 total reviews in window · weighted 5.6 up / 1.2 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (23)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 85
“Katanaut is one of the most exciting indie roguelites of 2025. It blends the rewarding progression of Dead Cells, the atmospheric dread of Dead Space, and the precision combat of a Souls-like into a package that feels fresh and addictive. It isn’t perfect, combat can feel awkward at first, and some systems could use fine-tuning, but these flaws are minor compared to the sheer fun of diving into the station’s haunted corridors run after run. Whether you’re slashing through abominations with a katana, unlocking bizarre new upgrades, or just petting the cat before another doomed attempt, Katanaut delivers a memorable experience. For roguelite fans, sci-fi horror lovers, or anyone craving a game with style, substance, and plenty of replayability, Katanaut is absolutely worth the plunge.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“Katanaut proves to be a work with a dual soul, a title capable of offering a well-designed combat system with great artistic direction and an apt synthwave soundtrack, but which also has several imperfections. Katanaut is a raw weapon, at times repetitive due to procedural level design that is not always top-notch and a narrative that serves as a mere pretext, but in the right hands, it can be immensely satisfying. Recommended for roguelite lovers looking for a challenging experience.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Katanaut delivers a stylish cosmic horror atmosphere and hints at an intriguing story inside a space station full of mutated horrors, but those elements never get enough room to grow thanks to the game’s relentless, fast-paced combat. While swordplay and gunfights are satisfying, the speed and constant action kill any sense of tension or dread that the setting tries to build. Players looking for scares or deeper lore may wish the game was slowed down to explore its world, but fans of quick, action-heavy roguelikes will find the mechanics solid and replayable. It’s a technically impressive indie with promise, though its horror gets overshadowed by non-stop adrenaline, making it a slightly above average experience in general.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“One of the standout indie experiences this year, blending Souls-style combat, roguelite progression, and Metroidvania exploration. The game is challenging, immersive, and rich in enchanting artistic details. Some difficulty spikes may feel excessive, but overall it’s an impressive achievement, especially from a solo developer.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“A well-made roguelite at a more than reasonable price.”
read full review ↗ - 68
“A solid title for those who are quite familiar and accustomed to roguelikes, although Katanaut suffers from a lack of great variation in the gameplay loop and relies on repetitiveness for much of the journey.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“I’m incredibly impressed by how much Katanaut has to offer, especially for a solo developer project. It’s an easy tagline to call it Dead Cells meets Dead Space, but it’s so much more than that. Katanaut is a fantastic action-roguelike that elegantly uses cosmic horror to intensify combat and amplify the emotions felt while playing. I hope it gets attention amidst a crowded September. It absolutely deserves it.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Overall, I had a fun time playing Katanaut. Those seeking an action game about a space samurai slicing through icky monsters should consider it.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Katanaut is a perfectly fun but ultimately rather forgettable Dead Cells-style title. It's perfectly competent at what it sets out to do, and the strong presentation goes a long way, but at the end of the day, it doesn't manage to carve out its own identity. It's absolutely worth a shot if you're burned out on similar games, but don't expect quite as much replay value.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Katanaut is a quick, stylish, and violent roguelike that action, strategy, and atmospheric horror fans will enjoy. This shows how a single developer can use well-known games as motivation to make a game that is both familiar and fresh. With its never-ending challenges, deep customizable options, and hauntingly beautiful world, Katanaut is one of the best games of 2025. It’s a game that rewards skill, exploration, and persistence, and it makes you want to come back for one more run.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“With light-speed combat, oodles of customisation, and slick presentation, this is one of those "just one more run" games that will consume all your time before you realise it.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“If you’re a fan of challenging combat, rich atmosphere, and games that respect your ability to figure things out on your own, Katanaut is easily one of the most memorable titles of 2025. It’s not for everyone, players looking for a relaxed or straightforward experience might bounce off its harsh learning curve.”
read full review ↗
TheBigBois
STWGames Italia
Cubed3
ReGame It
Gamesource Italia
Manual dos Games
Minimap
Forever Classic Games
Worth Playing
GamesCreed
GameGrin…and 11 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Katanaut Patch 1.212Aug 29, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.211Aug 21, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.205Aug 15, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.202Aug 10, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut - Into the Void - Major UpdateAug 7, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.140Jul 18, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.137Jul 1, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.136Jun 27, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.133Jun 7, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.130May 31, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.127May 22, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.125May 15, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.124May 1, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.123Apr 25, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.120Apr 5, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.118Apr 3, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.117Mar 27, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.116Mar 9, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.110Jan 31, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.108Jan 23, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.107Jan 17, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.104Jan 12, 2026
- Katanaut Patch 1.103Jan 10, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.102Jan 7, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut v1.1 Major UpdateJan 5, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.100Jan 5, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.024Dec 5, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.023Nov 13, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.022Nov 8, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.021Nov 3, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.020Nov 1, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.019Oct 26, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.018Oct 19, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.017Oct 11, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.016Oct 4, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.015Sep 29, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.014Sep 28, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Katanaut Patch 1.013Sep 23, 2025significant · resets scoring window
…and 6 earlier patch announcements.