Sick Samurai

About Sick Samurai

Sick Samurai is a fast-paced hack and slash game from indie developer Solideo, released on PC in September 2026. You play as a young trainee learning the brutal art of instant-death combat under a retired samurai. The game blends lofi hip hop beats with retro anime visuals, creating a vibrant but violent aesthetic. Set on the fictional island of Furikyu, the story follows your character's push to prove their worth through relentless duels. It’s a short but sharp experience, prioritizing speed and reflexes over story depth. If you like rhythm-driven brawlers like Killer7 or Streets of Rage with a modern twist, this one fits the bill.

Gameplay

Combat is the core here, every clash ends in a single hit. You spend most sessions dashing to avoid enemy strikes, then retaliating with precise slashes. The dash mechanic is crucial for positioning, letting you close gaps or escape tight situations. Boss fights test your timing, with each encounter requiring memorization of attack patterns. The game’s levels are linear and segmented, with each stage introducing new foes or environmental hazards. Controls are tight, with keyboard and mouse setups encouraging micro-level precision. Expect short sessions; most players finish the single-player campaign in 8, 12 hours. The soundtrack’s lofi beats sync with the action, but the lack of multiplayer or co-op keeps it niche.

What Players Think

Community feedback highlights the game’s intensity, with a 78% positive rating on Steam. Average playtime is 10.5 hours, and 32% of players complete the main story. Reviews praise the “addictive rhythm of combat” but criticize the lack of difficulty options. Some note the story feels underdeveloped, with one user writing, “It’s more about the fight than the finish.” Completion rate for optional challenges is 18%, suggesting a steep learning curve. The community mood leans excited (54%) and focused (31%), though 15% find it frustrating. Achievements are present but light, with 42% of players unlocking at least half.

PlayPile's Take

Sick Samurai is a must-play for fans of aggressive, skill-based brawlers. Priced at $19.99, it offers a punchy experience with replay value in mastering combat mechanics. While the story is thin and the replay modes limited, the core loop of dashing, dodging, and decimating is polished. If you enjoy games that reward twitch reflexes over grind, this one hits hard. But if you prefer slower, story-driven fights, pass. It’s not perfect, but it’s fast, free of bloat, and worth the time for its best bits.

Storyline

Sick Samurai tells the story of a young man who dreams of becoming the greatest fighter on the island of Furikyu. He seeks out Genyu, an infamous ex-samurai, in the hopes of learning from him. Genyu agrees to train him, though he has motives of his own, and their journey begins...