Welcome to Katana ZERO, a stylish neo-noir assassination platformer where you play as a one-armed samurai with precognitive abilities. You'll be diving into action-packed levels, from the Factory and Hotel to the Club and Chinatown, using your sword, slow-motion, and the ability to rewind time to dispatch enemies with brutal efficiency. It’s a game that demands precision, quick thinking, and a willingness to retry levels until you achieve that perfect, stylish run.
This guide is here to help you master the art of neo-noir assassination. We’ll cover everything from basic controls and advanced combat techniques to conquering every level and boss, including challenging encounters like the Secret Boss. We'll also delve into the game's secrets, such as the Five Keys and Five Swords, and help you achieve those tricky Steam Achievements and unlock all the game's endings.
Guide and Walkthrough (PC) by ExtremePhobia
Katana ZERO PC walkthrough by ExtremePhobia, covering missions from Factory to Government Lab. Updated 05/21/2019.
- 1Factory
- 2Hotel
- 3Club
- 4Prison
- 5Studio
- 6Mansion
- 7Chinatown
- 8Dragon Tape
- 9Slaughterhouse
- 10Bunker Part 1
- 11Bunker Part 2
- 12Government Lab
Appendix:
- Five Keys and Five Swords
- Secret Boss
- Enemies
- Achievements and Trophies
Contact: Information available.
Version History: Version 1.0, Updated 05/21/2019.
Legal: Information available.
Walkthrough
Navigate the neon-drenched streets of New Mecca with our comprehensive Katana ZERO walkthrough. Learn combat, find keys, defeat bosses, and unlock achievements.
Welcome to our Katana ZERO walkthrough and guide. Katana ZERO is a stylish action platformer where you play as a samurai with precognition, working as a sword-for-hire in the dystopian city of New Mecca. Slash your way through enemies and environmental hazards, utilizing quick reflexes, throwable items, and the environment itself to reach your target. Be warned: most foes are one-hit-kills, and so are you.
Saves and Checkpoints: The game features permanently unlocked checkpoints after significant sections and temporary soft checkpoints saved on a screen-by-screen basis when exiting the game. Progress is generally saved at the start of a stage and after completing significant sections.
Variable Events and Replaying Stages: Your choices impact later events and achievements. Replaying stages or checkpoints allows you to alter outcomes. Meaningful choices will be highlighted in the walkthrough.
Contents of this guide include:
- A walkthrough of the game's single-player campaign.
- How to find all Keys and the Swords they unlock.
- How to defeat all bosses.
- Information on alternate paths/endings/objectives.
- Details on how to earn the game's achievements.
Controls:
| Action | Keyboard | Controller (Xbox) | Switch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right | Right Arrow/D | Right Analog/D-Pad Right | Right Analog/D-Pad Right |
| Left | Left Arrow/A | Right Analog/D-Pad Left | Right Analog/D-Pad Left |
| Up | Up Arrow/W | Right Analog/D-Pad Up | Right Analog/D-Pad Up |
| Down | Down Arrow/S | Right Analog/D-Pad Down | Right Analog/D-Pad Down |
| Jump | Up Arrow/W | A | B |
| Slash | Left Mouse Button | X | Y |
| Pick Up/Throw | Right Mouse Button | B | A |
| Walk | Ctrl | Y | X |
| Roll | Enter | RB/RT | R/ZR |
| Slo-Mo | Shift | LB/LT | L/ZL |
| Interact | Spacebar | Y | X |
| Confirm | Enter/Spacebar | A | A |
| Back | Esc/Backspace | B | B |
| Replay FF | D/Right Arrow | RB/RT | R/ZR |
| Replay Rew | A/Left Arrow | LB/LT | L/ZL |
| Replay Pause | Left Mouse Button/Spacebar | A | B |
| Replay Eject | Right Mouse Button | Y | X |
- 1Tutorial
- 2Factory Hideout
- 3Murdower Hotel
- 4Club Neon
- 5Mutual-Nil Prison
- 6Studio 51
- 7Mansion Hideout
- 8Chinatown
- 9The Dragon's Tape
- 10Slaughterhouse
- 11Bunker - Part 1
- 12Bunker - Part 2
Guide and Walkthrough (PC) by ExtremePhobia (2)
Katana ZERO walkthrough for PC, covering Factory, Hotel, Club, Prison, and more. Includes secrets and achievements.
- 1Factory
- 2Hotel
- 3Club
- 4Prison
- 5Studio
- 6Mansion
- 7Chinatown
- 8Dragon Tape
- 9Slaughterhouse
- 10Bunker Part 1
- 11Bunker Part 2
- 12Government Lab
Appendix:
- Five Keys and Five Swords
- Secret Boss
- Enemies
- Achievements and Trophies
Factory
Navigate the Factory level in Katana ZERO. Learn to find the Prism Key, defeat Brawlers and Suits, dodge lasers, and overcome the Scientist.
- 1Outside the Factory: Start by killing two enemies. Jump to the rooftop on the left and search the body to find the Prism Key, unlocking the 'Prism Key' achievement/trophy. Proceed right, jump over boxes onto stairs, and continue until a dead end. Use wall-jumping to reach the roof on the left, then jump across the gap to the right. Alternatively, swing your sword up and right to skip a step. Climb small rooftop ledges to the right, drop from the clothesline, and continue right. Swing your sword downward to break the floor and enter a hallway. Open the door and run to the vault door on the far right, interacting with it to proceed.
- 2Factory Hideout: After a phone call, you'll be introduced to the Factory Hideout. You can unlock the 'Don't Hang Up' achievement/trophy by repeatedly hanging up the phone during conversations, but this is recommended for a second playthrough. Swing your sword to start the level proper.
- 3Zone 1 - Brawlers: Run up the stairs to the right and defeat the approaching Brawler. Head left, smash open the door with your sword to kill a Suit, and then kill a second Brawler. Follow the arrow out of the room.
- 4Zone 2 - Lasers: In the next room, use the roll button (R or ZR) to dodge laser beams. Use your 'pre-cognitive' ability (hold L or ZL) to slow time and navigate a moving laser. Find a Lever on the wall and use it (X button) to turn off the lasers and open the path to the right.
- 5Zone 3 - Climbing: Run right and wall-jump to the top. Cut through the wooden slab at an angle to kill the first Brawler. Angle your next aerial swing to kill a second Brawler to the right, being careful of the laser on the far side. Roll through the laser, then wall-jump up. Use slow-motion to pass the fan.
- 6Zone 4 - The Scientist: Open the first door and defeat the two Brawlers with two swings. Go up the stairs and right to find another Brawler behind a door. Kill him quickly, then head left. Roll through the double laser.
- The Prism Key is required to unlock the 'Prism Key' achievement/trophy.
- Repeatedly hanging up the phone can unlock the 'Don't Hang Up' achievement/trophy, but may have other consequences.
- Brawlers are basic melee enemies; they often appear in groups and can be dangerous when staggered.
- Use the 'pre-cognitive' ability (slow-motion) to navigate laser grids and time your dodges effectively.
- Cutting through doors can maintain momentum and damage enemies on the other side.
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