Katana Kitsune: A Free-to-Try Yokai Roguelite With Katana Counters and Four-Player Co-op, Made in Uganda

Katana Kitsune is an isometric action roguelite inspired by Japanese folklore: you play a kitsune fox-spirit warrior, draw your katana, time your counters and fight through ever-changing floors of yōkai. It's made by Emanzi Kamugisha, an independent developer in Uganda working as 9-K9, and it's a finished, released game. You can play it free in your browser, solo with AI companions or in co-op for up to four, and the desktop version for Windows, macOS and Linux is on itch.io.

This is an Indie Spotlight, not a review: we haven't played it. Here's what the developer has shown and told us.

Katana Kitsune at a glance

How does Katana Kitsune play?

Combat is fast and isometric. Keep your katana drawn for aggressive fighting, or sheath it to move more carefully; sprint, dodge, jump, raise your guard and time a block to open a counterattack. Charged strikes cost stamina, and stealth shortens the distance at which enemies spot you, so you can strike first. On each floor you break objects to find scrolls, healing items, charms and food, defeat every enemy, pick an upgrade and move on: there are no stairs, the next floor starts when the last enemy falls.

Does Katana Kitsune have co-op?

Yes, for up to four characters. Play local multiplayer on one computer, set up online co-op from the lobby at katanakitsune.com (it works across the browser and desktop versions), or fill empty slots with AI companions. You can give each companion a combat style (Aggressive, Defensive, Stealth or Passive). They navigate hazards, revive fallen teammates and get upgrades between floors, and you can take control of an AI ally if yours goes down.

What yōkai do you fight?

The bestiary draws on Japanese mythology: Yuki-onna, the deadly snow woman; the spider yōkai Jorōgumo; the fiery cat Kasha; river-dwelling Kappa; Tengu warriors; brutal Oni; crow-like Karasu Shinobi; and Yōkai Lords. Floors range from sakura gardens and bamboo forests to abandoned shrines, desert ruins and frozen passes, with rain, snow, petals and sandstorms, and day-and-night effects.

Is Katana Kitsune free?

The browser version is free at katanakitsune.com and on itch.io. The developer describes it as a lighter instant-play build of around 200 MB that leaves out some desktop features and content. The desktop edition for Windows, macOS and Linux costs $7.99 on itch.io (it was $5.99 in a sale when we checked) and adds offline play, local multiplayer and smoother performance, while keeping online co-op.

Does Katana Kitsune use AI?

Yes, and it's disclosed. The itch.io page lists AI-assisted development for code, graphics, sounds and text, and Emanzi told us development used AI assistance, including generated audio.

Who makes Katana Kitsune?

Emanzi Kamugisha, an independent developer in Uganda who publishes as 9-K9 and also makes game jam entries and experiments. Japanese site TechGame Lab has already covered the game.

Watch the Katana Kitsune trailer

More Indie Spotlight on iGame Magazine

• Escape From Chronos: The $4.99 Tower Defense Where the Greek Gods Are Your Towers: another folklore-inspired indie
• Anvira: Forge Defense Is Out Now: Price, Launch Discount and the Golem Tower Defense Roguelite Explained: another indie roguelite
• Cartoon Crime: The $2.99 Open-World Crime Game From a Two-Person Studio in Istanbul: another small indie studio

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