SONOKUNI (Switch) | REVIEW | Slashing Through A Neon Nightmare

SONOKUNI crash-landed on the Nintendo Switch on March 31, 2025, bringing with it a whirlwind of biopunk chaos, Japanese mythology, and a hip-hop beat that hits harder than a katana to the gut. Developed by the audacious DON YASA CREW, a collective of seven Japanese rappers turned game creators, and published by Kakehashi Games, this indie gem is a sensory assault that dares you to keep up. Having spent several hours slicing through it's vivid world, I'm here to breakdown why this game is both a thrilling triumph and a frustrating fever dream.

The premise is simple yet striking. You play as Takeru, a lone assassin carving a bloody path through a biotechnologically twisted superpower that threatens her people. The narrative pulls from Japanese folklore, weaving a tale of cultural preservation versus soulless progress. It's not a story that will win awards for depth as sometimes it feels more like a stylish backdrop than a fully fleshed-out epic, but it's compelling enough to keep you invested between the carnage. Takeru's inner struggle, guided by her "inner gods," adds a layer of intrigue, even if the dialogue leans too hard into it's philosophical musings. 

Where SONOKUNI truly shines is it's gameplay. Imagine Hotline Miami's relentless pace, but swap the synthwave for pulsating Japanese rap and the guns for a razor-sharp blade. This is a top-down twin-stick action game where one hit spells doom, and every room is a deadly dance of reflexes and strategy. Takeru's arsenal includes slashes, parries, and a time slowing mechanic that feels like a lifeline in the chaos. Mastering this flow is exhilarating, especially when you nail a run, dodging mutant freaks and deflecting projectiles to the beat, you feel untouchable. But the difficulty is brutal. Even on normal mode, expect to die repeatedly as you memorize enemy patterns and perfect your timing. It's a masochist's delight, though casual players might find the steep learning curve to be more punishing than fun.

Visually, SONOKUNI is a neon-soaked fever dream. The pixel art blends traditional Japanese motifs including crumbling shrines, and ethereal forests with a biopunk edge of oozing flesh and mechanical monstrosities. It's gorgeous, but the chaotic color palette and flashing effects can overwhelm, sometimes making it tough to track what's happening on-screen. On the Switch's OLED display, the vibrant hues pop, though I noticed occasional frame-rate dips in handheld mode when the action gets too hectic. Docked, it's smoother, but don't expect flawless performance either way.

The soundtrack, crafted by DON YASA CREW, is the game's beating heart. It's a raw, hip-hop fusion that syncs perfectly with the action, driving you forward like a battle anthem. Each track feels alive, blending traditional Japanese instrumentation with modern beats in a way that's utterly unique. It's the kind of music that lingers in your head long after you've put the controller down, though I did wish for a pause button that didn't mute it entirely.

That said, SONOKUNI isn't without it's flaws. The lack of mid-level checkpoints can frustrate, especially during longer stages, and the boss fights, while visually spectacular, feel underwhelming compared to the regular enemy gauntlets. Technical hiccups, like inconsistent slowdown, also crop up, though they're not deal breakers. At 6 - 10 hours, it's a tight experience, bolstered by branching paths and a speedrun mode for replayability, but it's definitely a niche taste.

In the end, SONOKUNI is a bold, unapologetic blast of creativity. It's not for everyone. It's high difficulty and sensory overload might turn some away, but for those who crave a challenge wrapped in a one-of-a-kind aesthetic, it's a must play. On the Nintendo Switch, it's a portable adrenaline shot that proves indie games can still surprise. Grab your headphones, steel your nerves, and dive in, if you can handle the heat.