SONOKUNI
【Game details】
You are instantly ressurected by the power of God! Survive the loop of violence where a single blow means death.
There are only three actions to use: attack, parry, and slow-motion.
Enjoy logical and deep strategy with various enemies and complex room structures.
The world of Japanese mythology with advanced biotechnology.
Takeru, the hero of the game, becomes an assassin to protect his dying country. He will raid a large nation all on his own.
Can he protect his country and culture with violence? Takeru struggles to find a new answer.
Country/Life/DNA/Culture/Lore. What should be protected? What makes a soul?
What will become of SONOKUNI? See how it ends with Takeru, the protagonist.
【Game design】
The game is designed to be played as a hardcore action game, with repeated revivals.
Speedrunning: The speed run function allows you to compete with other players. Aim for the top in many rules.
Intuitive controls: Three actions (attack/guard/slow) allow anyone to play intuitively. An immersive experience.
In-depth strategies: The seven enemy types and complex room structures allow players to enjoy different strategies even in the same stage. There is always an alternate route.
【Contents】
Dope music and pixel art: Developed by “DON YASA CREW”, a J-HIPHOP group. Enjoy the combination of original Japanese rap music and a world illustrated by unique pixel art.
A thought-provoking story: the protagonist becomes an assassin as he struggles to find new solutions to protect his dying nation.
A Japanese myth and Biopunk crossover: The story is set in the world of Japanese myth, fused with elements of biopunk. It represents problems surrounding a developed society.
There is an EASY mode for those who want to focus ont he story. The slow-down ability will be strengthened which will make it easier to beat the game.
Game Discussion
Steam User 20
There are similarities to Hotline Miami. It's hard to not draw a comparison to the OG of the genre.
In SONOKUNI, each enemy type has different attacks you'll need to identify while you either attack, deflect, or bait out attacks with quick movement to clear each area in what is fast-paced, difficult, and addictive gameplay. This not only makes it distinct enough to be seen as separate to Hotline Miami, but in my opinion, surpass it. The OST is also extremely well produced, DON YASA CREW did an amazing job. Well worth the money at full price.
Steam User 4
This game is short but sweet. Highly recommend to folks who appreciate the puzzle-solving nature of a game like Hotline Miami. OST rules, visuals rule, bizarre world and story rule. I don't think this game is perfect by any measure but man it just oozes style. I'm so happy this game exists and I'd love to see it have some broader success because I haven't played anything quite like it before.
Steam User 5
what did hotline miami need to evolve? apparently, a parry.
if you played lies of p, you'll immediately slot into the game. if you haven't, you don't know that it's an immensly satisfying problem-solving action game. it's not a puzzle - the conditions are too difficult to have a sane solution, so you come up with your own ideas. it's an imsim where the options are parry or attack.
visuals are amazing, music is fantastic. can't wait to play more when i've calmed down
Steam User 5
It's like if Hotline Miami met Cruelty Squad and had a messed up kid conceived to Japanese hip hop. For sure the most unique thing I've played this year. Short but fun experience. Highly recommend for the sickos.
Steam User 4
Top down action + Japanese mythology - optimization = Hotline Miami on shrooms. Get pulled into psychedelic colors and graphics. Attack, reflect and slow motion your way through enemies.
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Steam User 1
Great Hotline Miami type game with its own unique style and story. Highly recommended.
Steam User 1
This honestly feels like an evolution of Hotline Miami with one of the coolest aesthetics that I've ever seen. The music would not usually be my genre of music but the songs are engraving themselves into my mind.