PC Critic Reviews

The sharp and snappy arcade action of KAZ is so simple, and yet it's so compelling as you build up your score through round after round. It’s a fun game that can really get its hooks into you, and definitely deserves attention from score chasers.

Most importantly, Kaz is compellingly fun. You quickly discover dexterity you didn’t know you had, especially when trying to fling yourself around levels without hitting the sides (for various upgrade reasons). The entire time I’ve played I’ve found myself in the midpoint of extraordinary skill and just hammering the buttons like a child (or me) playing Mortal Kombat. There are always quests you’ve nearly completed, giving you a reason for just one more go, and that’s even more tempting when you can pick from one of the many characters you’ve unlocked to keep adding variety.

KAZ is dedicated to players who are willing to spend hours chasing a high score, scrutinizing the upgrade options, theorizing about their perfect build, and hoping for that extra bit of luck that separates a good run from an impressive one. Newcomers to the run-driven universe should play the No Stress mode first, and then move on to Too Many Items to unlock extra heroes quickly. The basic action of moving to kill and rack up points will become repetitive. The constant flow of completed quests and unlocks keeps the experience interesting for the first four to five hours. KAZ then becomes more about mastery than discovery, with a focus on understanding exactly how different heroes, weapons, and upgrades interact with each other.

KAZ is a simple yet dangerously addictive game to play with plenty of reasons to come back for more.

Kaz is a fantastic example of smart game design. It knows exactly what it wants to be, and the result is a wonderfully crafted, and extremely rewarding dopamine delivery of a game. Underneath that deceptively simple design lies an addictive and gorgeous indie gem that just feels great to play. With a ‘just one more go’ attitude, Kaz is easy to pick up, hard to master, and is an easy recommendation for anyone with a keyboard to hand.

Kaz turns an approachable premise into an engulfing sensorial experience unlike anything else out there. While it largely plays it safe with its core mechanics, not really offering much complexity, there are layers upon layers of mechanics and abilities to unlock, as themes add much needed visual variation and reasons to continue playing. It might not be roguelite to revisit for long periods of time, but as long as you're on its hook, you'll inevitably be mesmerized by its charms.

When the hand moves on its own to replicate the movements of playing KAZ while lying down, one knows for certain it is a winner! This is an addictive game that mixes the physical sensation of high-dexterity games with the psychological push of modern unlock systems. While it is addictive, it is important to remember to take frequent breaks and maybe limit the amount of time played per day in the main modes, as KAZ can otherwise cause pain if played on a high level for too long. Thankfully, KAZ offers a break with its no-stress mode.

Developed by Kalinarm and published by HAKURO, KAZ does a good job of triggering the “one more round” mentality in its gamers, partially due to rounds taking a mere 15-20 seconds, but also because it always feels like you’re completely capable of clearing the next round. That hook is what keeps KAZ going, the game doesn’t really change round to round, only the score needed to pass. So as long as I feel confident in how I’m playing, I will click that “Next” button over and over until my hand cramps or my keyboards gives in.

KAZ delivers on its core promise: providing short, immediate matches packed with the kind of quick decisions that keep players engaged during brief sessions. However, the game does suffer from a degree of fatigue over the medium term. The combination of high speed, intense visual effects, and the constant sound of keystrokes can become tiring during longer sessions, and the actual variety between modes is more limited than it first appears. KAZ lacks the element of surprise needed to elevate it beyond being just a fun way to pass the time.

Sure, it probably isn't the game you'll sink the most hours into, but Kaz has a raw, aggressive edge that makes it perfect for a laid-back, popcorn-style experience. The roguelite mechanics might lack a bit of depth—preventing the game from achieving the strategic dimension that could have truly bolstered its overall gameplay loop—but Kaz remains a polished title in terms of visuals and sound, and a heck of a good way to blow off steam and give your fingers a workout.