A newly announced game called SlashZero on Steam has the anime art style of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and the side-scrolling action of the latest Shinobi game, Art of Vengeance. SlashZero is being developed by indie studio Streetlamp and is planned for release on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, as well as PS5, in Spring 2027.
For a limited time, SlashZero allows players on Steam and PS5 to test about 10 hours of gameplay through a free demo. Interestingly, the demo has proven quite popular among fans of anime-style games, and it now has 92% positive ratings on Steam and an average score of 4.41 out of 5 on the PlayStation Store.
SlashZero Is a Roguelike Platformer with an Anime Art Style
Developer Streetlamp describes SlashZero as “a 3D anime-style side-scrolling action roguelike game.” Similar to some retro ninja games’ counter-terrorism themes, SlashZero puts players in the role of a time traveler who needs to stop an evil force by traversing different timelines. This story premise also lays the groundwork for its roguelike philosophy, with every failure bringing the player back to where they started, albeit with some more information and a bunch of fresh skills.
The cinematic cutscenes in SlashZero trailers have serious Cyberpunk: Edgerunners vibes. The Netflix anime, which is based on CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077 game, depicts a futuristic world where humanoid robots and cyborgs are part of everyday life. SlashZero has an undeniably similar concept, and one could argue that even its typeface and UX/UI design have been heavily inspired by the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners universe. Neon lights, bold colors, and tech-heavy outfits can also be seen everywhere, giving fans even more reasons to compare the two IPs.
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Based on the free demo, gameplay in SlashZero can be compared to side-scrolling action games like Shinobi: Art of Vengeance. It features fast-paced melee and long-range combos across several different combat styles tied to its playable characters. So far, three characters have been revealed: Nyx, Fina, and Hamlet. Nyx is a close-quarters specialist who wields dual blades. Fina is a master of gun-kata and can use a wide range of firearms, while Hamlet is a tanky character equipped with a shield and sword.
Fans should note that the current free demo for SlashZero will be removed on September 23 at 03:00 PM PDT. It is unclear if the demo will return at some point in the future before the official release in Q1 2027. According to developer Streetlamp, the demo features some secrets, such as two hidden bosses, that can keep players engaged for of hours. It remains to be seen if the full release will match the current demo’s success and add more playable characters, which are already a major selling point. Fans of anime-inspired roguelike games can currently add SlashZero to their wishlists on Steam and the PlayStation Store. There has been no official word on a possible Xbox or Nintendo Switch port in the future.
- Released
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2027
- Developer(s)
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Streetlamp Studio
- Publisher(s)
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Skystone Games
- Number of Players
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Single-player
- Steam Deck Compatibility
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Unknown
Source: GamesPress
