Why You Should Care About Katana Zero

[@haartrich]

I think if I would have said the word 'Game' one more time, then this video would have been truly great.

[@Earthium]

Katana Zero is just a ridiculously well made game and is one of my favorites. It really goes to show that a solo or small team development with passion can produce games better than AAA studios with multi-million dollar budgets and hundreds of developers. A recommendation about the game is mention the length of the game especially with Katana zero because it's only 3-4 hours for the first play through but it has a lot of replay value with both speedrun and hardmode.

[@haartrich]

Ah! Thanks for the feedback! That's super helpful. I'll make sure to keep game length in mind for future videos. I definitely agree with your points. I've found that I love way more indie games than AAA just because you can feel the passion and care that went into the creation of the them.

[@housesg5981]

He does not have time manipulating abilities. The director said he has hyperfocus which seem to slow down everything, including himself; and foresight, which causes the "reset" that prevents him from dying.

[@haartrich]

For sure. I was just trying to quickly explain the gameplay without getting too into the weeds. In hindsight, I probably should have fully explained it so my explanation wasn't misleading.

[@deankaraniya7422]

The receptionist's fate changes based on your dialogue choices.

[@haartrich]

Ah! Gotcha, I've always done the same dialogue with her because I thought the cosplay options were funny. Good to know!

[@Ozone946]

how so?

[@Shin1_42]

@@Ozone946 if you make her angry or have non-matching stories when being questioned by the cop (e.g. telling the receptionist you're a cosplayer first and telling the cop the blood is bath products later), the psychiatrist's organization has to off her to keep it all hush hush. Move onto the Bunker level to see the consequence of your action.

[@Ozone946]

@@Shin1_42 oh damn. In all my times playing this game, till the end I always played along with whatever she said.

[@landoncroft4142]

I really liked the editing. Good work!

[@haartrich]

Thank you! I really tried to up my editing for this one. I'm glad the effort was noticable! Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment. It means a lot.

[@Istreakilaz]

Katana ZERO feels a lot like a hybrid of the design perspective and movement fluidity of Mark of the Ninja and the fast paced combat (+ aesthetic design) of Hotline Miami. It's so well made and for a team of that size, it's a real blessing how well polished it came out to be. always worth playing

[@haartrich]

I never picked up Mark of the Ninja, but I think I'll have to check it out if it's similar to the gameplay of Katana Zero! I completely agree with you. This game is incredible given the circumstances of staffing and funding. Even though it has been out for years, I still think about it more than most AAA titles I've played over the last few years.

[@theoneslayer8560]

High quality video, subscribed bro

[@haartrich]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it and the sub means a lot to me!

[@Ougerosity598]

So glad this video finally dropped! Hanging out with family rn, but I wanna drop a comment for the almighty algorithm.

[@haartrich]

Thank you! It means a lot that you'd take the time to comment even when you're busy. Enjoy your day!

[@Ozone946]

I love games that I can try to speed run casually, same thing with celeste.

[@haartrich]

I can relate. I'm not determined enough to really dial a speed run in, but it's fun to compare and beat your previous time if the game is something you're really into.

[@hotcoco2413]

katana 0 and celeste need more love

[@haartrich]

100% agree! Great games!

[@Ougerosity598]

Alright, just finished the video, and you've got a new subscriber! My best guess is to why few people have talked about this game is Hotline Miami. As a HUGE Hotline Miami fan myself, when I FIRST played Katana Zero, I liked it a lot, but it didn't have that same, "hit by a force of nature" that playing the former from start to finish can create. I, and I imagine a lot of people noticed the similarities between the games; Katana Zero was clearly inspired by Hotline Miami, but it was by no means a ripoff. Hell, both are published by Devolver! When I first played Katana Zero, I got really into it...for about month after I beat the game twice. About a year has passed since then, and after getting into it again? I am LOVING the lore. Not quite as intensely as I did with Hotline Miami, but I feel like I am appreciating the game OUTSIDE of it's inspiration for the first time. I'd highly recommend that anybody who played Katana Zero second, to give it another shot after a while. I get the feeling a lot of gamers experienced a similar feeling regarding these two great series.

[@haartrich]

Thanks for subbing! It means a lot to me! I can totally relate. I loved both hotline Miami (1 and 2) and Katana Zero and for a lot of similar reasons. I find the combat to be incredibly exhilarating and super satisfying to pull off correctly. It's funny how both series are so similar in tone, combat, and story, but their differences make them still feel distinct. I haven't played katana zero for a couple years now after beating it several times on release in 2019, but picked it back up on a whim the other day and it inspired this video. Now that I started it again, I can't put in back down. I imagine it would be the same if I picked up Hotline Miami again. I definitely don't want the creators to rush, but I'm so hyped for the free DLC for Katana Zero. I'm ready for more lore and gameplay to dive into! Thanks again for watching the video and taking the time to write out such a thorough comment!

[@Ougerosity598]

@@haartrich What makes both series interesting, is that they MUST be told through the medium of videogames for their stories to be effective. So many AAA titles these days feel like interactive movies. Incredibly high quality movies with stunning visuals, but stories that could easily be told without a controller. Compare that to these indie titles, where losing control as the player is KEY storytelling tool that only works in a videogame story. And hey, happy to reward actual quality content on KZbin. Bonus points for covering a game I really like!

[@haartrich]

I didn't think of it that way but I really like that. This point actually works for the next video I'm making too 🤣. I might need to shout you out in that video and launch into a tangent on the topic! Also thanks for all the comments! It helps a ton! Appreciate you!

[@Ougerosity598]

@@haartrich NGL; I've never been shouted out before. I'd really appreciate it.

[@haartrich]

Well I'd be happy to be the first! I just subbed! Btw is your channel name pronounced Der-kus? I don't wanna butcher it 🤣

[@ZenthrixYT]

i think the game is very good but for me the game is kinda short

[@haartrich]

I can totally understand that. Just out of curiosity, would you have been content with the length of the story if the game was cheaper, or did you want more story, no matter what the price was?

[@cmd2973]

My all time favorite Indie game. And there are so many good ones. But I never get tired of playing the speedruns and will tweak some settings and the weapon to create a new challenge.