Yokai Survivor positions itself as a compact but energetic auto-shooter built around the tension of surviving overwhelming supernatural assaults. Developed and published by KZ Games, it drops the player into a cursed underworld where a lone ninja must fight off increasingly aggressive waves of yokai drawn from Japanese folklore. From the very beginning the premise is simple to grasp—movement, survival, and constant growth—but the encounters quickly become dense enough to demand focus and adaptability. It is designed to be instantly playable, a game where a run can be launched in seconds, but those runs hinge on experimenting with builds, reacting to enemy patterns, and constantly choosing the right upgrades to stay alive. That balance between accessibility and rising pressure is what gives Yokai Survivor its early charm.
Moment-to-moment gameplay revolves around maneuvering through chaotic arenas while your chosen weapon and skills automatically attack nearby threats. The auto-combat design allows players to concentrate on positioning, timing dashes, kiting large enemy clusters, and harvesting resources that drop across the battlefield. Every defeated spirit, fruit collected, or item acquired feeds into the gradual transformation of your character—damage increases, cooldowns shrink, ninjutsu abilities evolve, and new attack patterns emerge as the run progresses. Between attempts, accumulated materials can be spent on permanent upgrades, reinforcing the roguelike loop of failing, improving, and coming back stronger. Even with only a few classes and weapons currently available, it is easy to lose track of time while trying to chase a more effective build.
Thematically, the game leans into stylized depictions of yokai rather than horror or realism. Its bright colors, exaggerated animations, and bold particle effects give each run a visually energetic personality, preventing the constant waves of enemies from blending together too soon. The environments available so far are simple but readable—important for an arena shooter where clarity matters more than environmental storytelling. KZ Games clearly wanted a fast, arcade-like experience rather than a narrative-driven one, and the presentation supports that ambition. The ninja theming and supernatural backdrop add flavor without getting in the way of pacing or flow.
As an Early Access title, Yokai Survivor openly acknowledges that the current content is limited compared to its long-term goals. At present, there are only a handful of biomes, enemy types, weapons, bosses, and starting characters to choose from, which means repetition eventually sets in if you play for long stretches. Runs can begin to feel similar once you exhaust the available upgrade options and discover the most efficient combinations. The foundation is promising—smooth controls, a clear gameplay identity, an upgrade system that feels rewarding—but much of its future appeal depends on whether the developer continues expanding variety, adding fresh mechanics, and deepening build diversity.
The low asking price reflects that early developmental stage, positioning the game as a small-scale experiment rather than a polished, fully realized action roguelike. It is easy to recommend to players who enjoy sampling indie survivor-style shooters, tinkering with upgrade paths, or seeking quick, satisfying gameplay sessions without a major time commitment. However, those who crave long-term progression, a large range of characters and weapons, or highly replayable roguelike depth may find that the current version does not yet deliver enough substance to sustain extended play. The very small player base also means community feedback, guides, and long-term support remain uncertain.
Despite those concerns, Yokai Survivor succeeds at what it attempts right now: providing short bursts of frantic, escalating combat wrapped in a lively supernatural theme. It shows an understanding of what makes the survivor subgenre appealing—power growth, enemy density, and quick iteration—while injecting its own identity through yokai designs and ninjutsu-themed abilities. If development continues and the planned content roadmap is fulfilled, it could mature into a stronger, more varied auto-shooter with broader appeal. For now, it stands as a light but engaging early access title best approached with tempered expectations and a willingness to watch it evolve over time.
Rating: 6/10
