Sonokuni Review
Every so often, an indie game comes along that hits with such intensity it feels less like a video game and more like an experience. Sonokuni, developed by DON YASA CREW, is exactly that a dizzying mix of hip-hop rhythm, samurai precision, and cyberpunk brutality.
It’s a game that demands your full attention. Every slash, parry, and dodge happens at breakneck speed, pulling you into a flow state of rhythm and violence. Beneath its neon lights and pulsing beats lies a razor-sharp action experience that’s both punishing and exhilarating.
A Cyberpunk Assassin’s Tale
In Sonokuni, you step into the role of Takeru, a lone assassin on a deadly mission to raid a biotech-powered superstate. Her purpose is simple eliminate everything that stands in her way, but the emotional core of the story digs into much deeper themes.
The narrative draws inspiration from Japanese mythology, weaving in ideas of morality, sacrifice, and the blurred line between protector and destroyer. Unfortunately, while the story concept is intriguing, its execution is limited. Much of the plot takes a back seat to the action, and those seeking a deeply emotional or cinematic narrative may find it inconsequential.
That said, Sonokuni doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not. The storytelling is minimal by design, a backdrop to the chaos, not the focus. This is a game that speaks through its combat, music, and atmosphere rather than dialogue.
Fast, Brutal, and Addictive Combat
Combat is where Sonokuni truly shines. It’s a fast-paced, skill-driven action experience that demands reflexes, patience, and precision. Every enemy type has unique attack patterns, forcing you to read, react, and adapt. You can attack, parry, or bait enemies into overextending, and the satisfaction of nailing a perfect deflect in the middle of chaos never gets old.
The time-bending mechanic adds an extra layer of depth, letting you slow the world down at critical moments to chain together devastating combos or narrowly avoid death. It’s a clever twist that rewards aggression and precision equally, creating a rhythm of violence that feels uniquely satisfying.
Boss battles are another highlight, punishing, multi-phase encounters that test your mastery of every system the game has taught you. Each fight feels like a dance, where one mistake can end your run, but victory feels utterly earned.
The difficulty curve is intentionally steep. Sonokuni is not afraid to punish mistakes, and while this may frustrate some players, it’s exactly what makes each victory so rewarding. For those seeking an added challenge, multiple difficulty levels and a speedrunner-friendly structure make it highly replayable.
A Feast for the Eyes and Ears
If Sonokuni’s gameplay is its blade, then its presentation is the sheath, bold, sharp, and impossible to ignore.
Visually, the game is drenched in neon-soaked urban colour, blending cyberpunk grit with a modern Japanese hip-hop aesthetic. Every slash leaves a streak of light, every movement feels kinetic, and every level bursts with a sense of rhythm that ties directly into the game’s music.
The soundtrack, produced by DON YASA CREW, deserves special recognition. It’s an incredible fusion of Japanese hip-hop, industrial beats, and atmospheric synths that perfectly matches the tempo of the gameplay. Every moment feels like it’s choreographed to the music — you don’t just play Sonokuni, you feel it.
The combination of the visual style and sound design creates a sensory overload in the best way possible. It’s stylish, unapologetic, and confidently rooted in the urban identity it’s portraying.
Style Over Story, Substance in Skill
While Sonokuni’s narrative may not be its strongest point, it’s hard to hold that against it when the rest of the experience hits this hard. This is a game about flow, not exposition about mastering motion rather than following a plotline.
The high level of difficulty won’t appeal to everyone, but for players who crave challenge, it’s a thrill ride from start to finish. Every death feels like a lesson, every victory like a personal triumph.
What makes Sonokuni stand out in the crowded indie scene is its confidence. It knows exactly what it wants to be a visceral, rhythmic action game that refuses to compromise its identity. It’s punishing but fair, chaotic but precise, and above all, stylish to the core.
Sonokuni is a pulse-pounding, neon-lit symphony of violence that blends Japanese mythology, cyberpunk style, and high-tempo combat into a single, unforgettable experience. It’s not for everyone, the difficulty can be punishing, and the story takes a backseat, but for players who thrive on challenge and rhythm, this is a must-play.
The music is phenomenal, the combat is challenging and rewarding, and the aesthetic perfectly captures the urban chaos it aims for. It’s the kind of game that doesn’t just test your reflexes, it tests your patience, your rhythm, and your ability to stay cool under pressure.
Sonokuni proves that style and skill can coexist, and when they do, the result is electric.
Sonokuni delivers fast-paced, stylish combat, an incredible soundtrack, and a high skill ceiling that rewards mastery. While its story is minimal and its difficulty intense, its audiovisual design and gameplay precision make it one of the most memorable indie action games of the year.
Reviewed on PC