Hitokiri (2024, grifonchan)

A samurai game with the simple old classic graphics, but all the more exciting, including adventure and puzzle elements.

HITOKIRI is a new nerve-raking, mind-boggling puzzle game for the Commodore 64.

In the game, you have to go through levels of varying difficulty disguised as a monk, with whom you have to become a warrior at the right moments to progress.

This transformation part may remind many of the famous Usagi (Samurai Warrior) game, but here the transformation requires touching a special “jizo” statue.

The game’s unique immersive style and more than 20 levels – including several secret ones – are sure to keep players engaged for a long time.

The game is controlled by the joystick in port 2 or the WASD keys and spacebar. The fire button/spacebar will only be needed to navigate menus and advance to the next level. They won’t be needed during gameplay. To attack or collect items, just bump against them, like you would do on an old-school RPG, or an old Y’s title.

There are a really lots of features thanks to the developer:

• Exciting old school gameplay inspired by classics such as Eggerman/Lolo
• Feudal japanese atmospheric gameplay inspired by the works of Koike, Kojima, Inoue and Yoshikawa
• More than 20 levels (there are several secret ones: can you find them?)
• Escape the metsuke, kill the samurai, avoid guard dogs and don’t step on spikes!
• Meditative japanese-folk soundtrack
• Evocative sound effects of clashing swords, gurgling blood, and switching levers (are those a thing?)
• Collect extra lives, and money to raise your score
• Karma system: killing civilians may seem easier, but what about your honor?
• Difficulty settings: tailor the game experience to your liking
• Permanent blood stains across the level (in a puzzle game! That’s a first!)
• Race against time, or set the game without limits for a more casual experience
• Real haiku will make you feel very zen (or very bloodthirsty)
• 4 different endings will reward your different choices
• Reach true illumination through vengeance, and permanently unlock a new challenging real-time game mode!

Also don’t forget to read the included .pdf game manual for many more important information for playing the game.