CheekySasquatch

The game works well with some major exceptions. Characters with lots of particle effects will slow down the game making some of the roster impossible to play properly. Gameplay was given priority over graphics but the stability is still below what most players want or expect. Crashes are far too frequent even if progress doesn't tend to be lost. This is also definitely one of the weaker stories in the series and the big single player feature towers of time can end up being tedious and frustrating and rely far too much on your consumables rather than any real skill. Overall a solid attempt of a port but nowhere near the quality of doom or even the recent dragon's dogma port. I sincerely hope future updates can fix this game.

"The game, is fun. If it isn't fun, why bother?"- Ancient Japanese proverb This game gives some of the absolute best fast paced Hotline Miami style killing puzzle gameplay while also knocking it out of the park in the story department. Whereas Hotline had more of a satirical relationship between the two, Katana Zero gives you a much more detailed and immediately compelling tale to take you between levels. The game feels perfectly balanced and levels that you might blaze through in one playthrough may offer a ton of options you missed out on in a subsequent one. Graphically the game is gorgeous as well and has some fantastic world and character designs with some really fun to look at sprites and animations. An absolute gem and a ton of fun to play in handheld mode.

While I found a point early on to be a bit of a hurdle to get through, overall this is a short and sweet game that marks a glorious return to form for director Goichi Suda. Writing and Story are near perfect in keeping the tongue in cheek tone of the original series as well as capturing some of Suda's classic introspective sombre moments. The combat starts deceptively simple before getting much more deep and enjoyable. However, I found Coffee and Doughnuts in particular overstayed its welcome. I'm looking forward to both the dlc packs and feel a wonderful renewed enthusiasm for whatever Suda and Grasshopper put out next.

Love love love this game. Even more accessible to beginners than the original IV yet offering just as much challenge as other games in the series. A must own for any 3DS owner. Somehow they managed to outdo SMT IV