《武士刀零》（Katana ZERO）由美國獨立遊戲開發團隊Askiisoft製作，並由Devolver Digital發行的動作平台遊戲。最初於2019年4月登上多平台，Nintendo Switch版本同年同步推出。憑藉其緊湊的遊戲節奏、極具風格的美術與音樂表現，以及充滿懸疑與心理張力的劇情設計，在獨立遊戲界迅速成名，成為Switch平台上備受推崇的動作遊戲之一。

設定在一個架空、帶有賽博龐克與新黑色元素的世界中，主角是為「龍」（The Dragon）的刺客，他不僅身手矯健，擅長使用武士刀斬殺敵人，更因為服用一種神秘藥物Chronos而具備預知未來、操控時間的能力。主線圍繞主角執行一連串暗殺任務的過程展開，但隨著劇情推進，將逐步發現主角的記憶出現混亂，身世成謎，而背後牽涉的陰謀與實驗計畫也逐漸浮出水面。整體故事敘述極具懸念與深度，透過非線性敘事手法、對話選擇與夢境穿插，營造出一種虛實難辨的心理驚悚氛圍。

操作上，以2D橫向動作為主，關卡節奏快速且講究「一擊必殺」的精準與反應。玩家操縱主角在各種設計巧妙的場景中閃避敵人、反彈子彈、衝刺斬殺，每一次攻擊都需要在千鈞一髮之間作出最適當的判斷。若稍有失誤便會即時死亡，關卡將重置再試，因此具有一定挑戰性，但因為每個場景重試時間極短、節奏流暢，反而讓玩家產生強烈的「試錯→進步→通關」快感。

最大特色之一是時間操控機制。可以減慢時間以精確閃避攻擊，也能在思考如何過關時暫停並預演路線。這些設計不僅豐富戰鬥的變化性，也與劇情中的藥物效果產生強烈呼應。此外，還提供一些與NPC的互動與分支對話選擇，這些對話不僅影響主角的情緒狀態，甚至會稍微改變部分劇情發展，使遊戲在短小精悍的篇幅中充滿張力與再玩價值。

視覺風格方面，採用像素美術風格，細節極為講究。儘管是2D畫面，但角色動畫、光影表現與動作演出極具現代感，加上鮮豔強烈的霓虹色調，完美塑造出獨特的賽博龐克美學。音樂則由LudoWic與Bill Kiley等作曲家操刀，融合合成器電子音與復古節奏，不僅與戰鬥節奏完美同步，更強化了整體氛圍與劇情情緒。

從市場評價來看，在Metacritic與OpenCritic等評分網站上獲得極高分數。媒體與玩家普遍讚譽其快節奏、高自由度的動作玩法，以及富有心理深度與懸疑色彩的劇情設計。尤其是那種「像電影般剪輯」的敘事方式，以及每個關卡完成後播放「錄影回放」的設計，都令人印象深刻。不過也有部分玩家指出遊戲整體流程偏短，約3～5小時內可完成一輪，且主線劇情雖精彩，但結局略顯開放、未能解答所有謎題，讓部分人期待未來的DLC或續作來補完。

總體而言，《武士刀零》極具藝術感與設計巧思，在Nintendo Switch上的表現穩定且流暢，十分適合喜歡高強度操作挑戰、對心理懸疑劇情有興趣，或熱愛像素風格動作遊戲的玩家。不僅是視覺與節奏的盛宴，更是關於身份、記憶與宿命的驚悚旅程。

Katana ZERO is an action-platformer developed by the American indie studio Askiisoft and published by Devolver Digital. It first launched in April 2019 across multiple platforms, with the Nintendo Switch version released simultaneously. With its fast-paced gameplay, highly stylized art and music, and a story steeped in suspense and psychological tension, the game quickly rose to prominence within the indie scene, becoming one of the most acclaimed action titles available on the Switch.

Set in an alternate world with strong cyberpunk and neo-noir influences, the game centers around an assassin known only as “The Dragon.” Highly skilled with a katana, the protagonist is also affected by a mysterious drug called Chronos, which grants him the ability to manipulate time and foresee the future. While the core gameplay involves executing a series of assassination missions, the story gradually reveals that the Dragon’s memories are fractured, his identity uncertain, and his actions deeply entangled in covert experiments and conspiracies. Through nonlinear storytelling, dialogue choices, and dream sequences, the game creates a psychologically intense, reality-blurring narrative.

Gameplay-wise, Katana ZERO is a 2D side-scrolling action game emphasizing precision, reflexes, and one-hit kills. Players must navigate intricately designed levels, dodging enemies, deflecting bullets, and slicing through foes in a ballet of perfectly timed movements. A single mistake results in instant death and a level reset, but the ultra-fast respawn system and fluid pacing make trial-and-error progression feel rewarding rather than frustrating.

One of the game’s standout mechanics is time manipulation. Players can slow down time to avoid attacks or pause to plan their next move. This mechanic not only enhances the combat variety but also ties thematically to the effects of the Chronos drug, enriching the narrative experience. Additionally, conversations with NPCs offer branching dialogue choices that affect the protagonist’s emotional state and subtly influence the story’s progression, adding replay value and narrative depth to its compact runtime.

Visually, the game embraces a pixel art aesthetic, but with an exceptional level of polish. Despite being in 2D, the animations, lighting effects, and combat choreography convey a modern cinematic flair. The neon-heavy color palette further emphasizes its cyberpunk identity. The soundtrack, composed by LudoWic, Bill Kiley, and others, fuses synthwave and retro beats to synchronize perfectly with the game’s pacing and mood, enhancing both action and storytelling moments.

Critically, Katana ZERO has received high praise across review platforms such as Metacritic and OpenCritic. Both critics and players have lauded its tight controls, creative time-based gameplay, and emotionally complex story. The “film-editing” style of storytelling, including the “VHS replay” of each level after completion, has been particularly well received. However, some criticisms have emerged regarding the game’s short length—a single playthrough can be completed in around 3 to 5 hours—and its open-ended finale, which leaves several plot threads unresolved, prompting hopes for a future DLC or sequel.

In conclusion, Katana ZERO is a brilliantly crafted experience that balances high-intensity action, psychological depth, and stylistic storytelling. It performs smoothly on Nintendo Switch and is highly recommended for players who enjoy challenging gameplay, mystery-driven narratives, or pixel art with a modern twist. More than just a visual and rhythmic spectacle, it’s a thrilling exploration of identity, memory, and fate.