Kunai (video game)

{{Infobox video game

| title = Kunai

| developer = TurtleBlaze

| publisher = The Arcade Crew

| engine = Unity

| platforms = {{ubl|Microsoft Windows|Nintendo Switch}}

| released = February 6, 2020

| genre = Action, platform

| modes = Single-player

| producer = Bram Stege

| designer = Benjamin de Jager
Richard Lems

| programmer = Benjamin de Jager

| artist = Richard Lems

| composer = Pongball

|image = Kunai cover art.jpg

|caption =

|alt =

}}Kunai is an action-platform video game developed by TurtleBlaze and published by The Arcade Crew. The game was released on February 6, 2020 for Windows and Nintendo Switch. In the game, the player controls Tabby, a robot tasked with defeating Lemonkus, an AI that nearly causes the extinction of humanity. In July 2020, The Arcade Crew partnered with Limited Run Games to release physical copies of the Nintendo Switch version. The physical copies were released in October 2020. The PC version received generally favorable reviews, while the Nintendo Switch version received mixed reviews.

Gameplay

File:Kunai gameplay.gif

In Kunai, the player controls Tabby, a robot awakened by a group of resistance robots. Early on in the game, Tabby finds a katana and a pair of kunai. The katana can strike downwards, allowing Tabby to bounce off enemies. It can also be used to deflect bullets.{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Martin |date=10 February 2020 |title=Kunai review - not the greatest Metroidvania, but a good reminder of what makes Metroidvanias great |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/kunai-review-not-the-greatest-metroidvania-but-a-good-reminder-of-what-makes-metroidvanias-great |access-date=15 June 2022 |website=Eurogamer |language=en-gb}} Tabby is healed when they attack an enemy with the sword. A blacksmith will upgrade the katana if Tabby has enough coins. Coins are collected when Tabby destroys enemies or objects with the katana. The kunai are used as grappling hooks, allowing Tabby to traverse the world easier. Tabby's health is restored at save points.

As Tabby progresses, they collect more abilities, such as machine guns, shuriken, and an additional mid-air jump. The machine guns can be used as a way to cross gaps, and the shuriken can stun enemies or activate switches. Tabby receives a hat when they defeat a boss. Secret rooms can be found in the game's world. Chests can be found in these areas. They contain hats, currency, or heart pieces. Upgrades can also be purchased from WiFi routers found in each area.

Development and release

Kunai was developed by TurtleBlaze, a three-man indie studio based in The Hague.{{Cite web |last=Drake |first=Sophia Aubrey |date=18 February 2020 |title=80s inspired neon-punk shooter Project Downfall takes the Big Indie Pitch PC / Console Edition crown at White Nights Amsterdam |url=https://www.pcgamesinsider.biz/news/70479/80s-inspired-neon-punk-shooter-project-downfall-takes-the-big-indie-pitch-pc-console-edition-crown-at-white-nights-amsterdam/ |access-date=13 June 2022 |website=pcgamesinsider.biz}} Kunai started out as a mobile game. The team was looking for a publisher for their prototype, and bought tickets to the 2018 Game Developers Conference. The team planned multiple meetings with publishers, but decided to not make a mobile game. The team wanted to create a "premium gaming experience". When the Nintendo Switch released in 2017, the team decided to pivot the prototype towards the console. TurtleBlaze received game development kits from Nintendo. In four weeks, the team turned the mobile prototype into a Nintendo Switch prototype. They had to change the game from portrait-based to landscape-based, rework the controls, and learn how to use the development kit. Since Kunai used the Unity engine, porting the game to PC was easier, according to producer Bram Stege. Tabby originated as a robotic monkey, but the team chose to create something more "unique".{{Cite web |last=Parton |first=Mitchell |date=2 April 2019 |title=Kunai is a Promising Tablet-Ninja Platformer with Endless Potential |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/hands-on-preview/50191/kunai-is-a-promising-tablet-ninja-platformer-with-endless-potential |access-date=13 June 2022 |website=Nintendo World Report}}

In 2018, Kunai was featured at Gamescom and the Tokyo Game Show.{{Cite web |last=LeClair |first=Kyle |date=26 August 2018 |title=Screenshot Saturday: Special Gamescom 2018 Edition - Hardcore Gamer |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/features/screenshot-saturday-special-gamescom-2018-edition/310323/ |access-date=12 June 2022 |website=Hardcore Gamer}}{{Cite tweet |number=1043357438831878149 |user=TurtleBlaze |title=We’re at Tokyo Game Show! Come play KUNAI in hall 1-N21 at the Dutch pavilion! #TGS2018 #gamedev #indiedev #pixelart #NintendoSwitch |date=22 September 2018 |access-date=16 June 2022}} The Arcade Crew announced Kunai on March 13, 2019, with a planned launch on PC and Nintendo Switch.{{Cite web |last=LeClair |first=Kyle |date=13 March 2019 |title=The Arcade Crew Announces Robot Ninja Metroidvania Game Kunai - Hardcore Gamer |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/news/the-arcade-crew-announces-robot-ninja-metroidvania-game-kunai/326823/ |access-date=13 June 2022 |website=Hardcore Gamer}}{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=13 March 2019 |title=Ninja Metroidvania Kunai announced for Switch, PC |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2019/03/ninja-metroidvania-kunai-announced-for-switch-pc |access-date=12 June 2022 |website=Gematsu}} The game was included in the Fanatical Platinum Build Your Own Bundle.{{Cite web |last=Peeples |first=Jeremy |date=11 November 2020 |title=Fanatical Platinum Build Your Own Bundle Now Available - Hardcore Gamer |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/news/deals/fanatical-platinum-build-your-own-bundle-now-available/392071/ |access-date=12 June 2022 |website=Hardcore Gamer}} Kunai was showcased at the 2019 Game Developers Conference and at PAX East 2019.{{Cite web |last=Sheehan |first=Gavin |date=14 April 2019 |title=We Get a Good Amount of Slashing Action With KUNAI at PAX East 2019 |url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/we-get-a-good-amount-of-slashing-action-with-kunai-at-pax-east-2019/ |access-date=13 June 2022 |website=Bleeding Cool |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Vincent |first=Brittany |date=13 March 2019 |title=Kunai side-scrolling tablet-powered ninja game looks awesome |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/110497/kunai-side-scrolling-tablet-powered-ninja-game-looks-awesome |access-date=15 June 2022 |website=Shacknews |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Tarason |first=Dominic |date=13 March 2019 |title=Kunai proves anyone can be a ninja, even an iPad |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/kunai-turns-a-tablet-into-a-ninja-metroidvania-hero |access-date=15 June 2022 |website=Rock Paper Shotgun |language=en}} The game was featured at E3 2019 and PAX West 2019.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Mike |date=21 September 2019 |title=Kunai Is The Best Feeling Platformer I've Played Since Dead Cells |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/kunai-is-the-best-feeling-platformer-ive-played-since-dead-cells |access-date=13 June 2022 |website=USgamer |language=en |archive-date=16 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616212338/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/kunai-is-the-best-feeling-platformer-ive-played-since-dead-cells |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |last=HG staff |date=20 June 2019 |title=Best of E3 2019 - Day Two: Indie, VR, Racing, Sports, Platforming - Hardcore Gamer |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/features/best-of-e3-2019-day-two-indie-vr-racing-sports-platforming/350276/ |access-date=13 June 2022 |website=Hardcore Gamer}}{{Cite web |last=Lopez |first=Alan |date=16 September 2019 |title=The Best Nintendo Switch Games Of PAX West 2019 |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/09/feature_the_best_nintendo_switch_games_of_pax_west_2019 |access-date=13 June 2022 |website=Nintendo Life}} In October, Kunai was given a release window of early 2020.{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=16 October 2019 |title=Kunai launches in early 2020 |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2019/10/kunai-launches-in-early-2020 |access-date=13 June 2022 |website=Gematsu}}{{Cite web |last=Helm |first=Jordan |date=16 October 2019 |title=Turtle Blaze's Ninja-like Metroidvania Kunai Releasing Early 2020 - Hardcore Gamer |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/news/turtle-blazes-ninja-like-metroidvania-kunai-releasing-early-2020/359919/ |access-date=13 June 2022 |website=Hardcore Gamer}} Four minutes of Kunai's gameplay was also released in October.{{Cite web |last=LeClair |first=Kyle |date=19 October 2019 |title=Check Out Four Minutes of Kunai Gameplay - Hardcore Gamer |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/news/check-out-four-minutes-of-kunai-gameplay/360135/ |access-date=13 June 2022 |website=Hardcore Gamer}} It showed off the game's world and a boss battle with Furious Ferro. The game's demo was available at the 2019 Day of the Devs event.{{Cite web |last=LeClair |first=Kyle |date=31 October 2019 |title=Day of the Devs 2019 Lineup Announced - Hardcore Gamer |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/news/day-of-the-devs-2019-lineup-announced/361130/ |access-date=13 June 2022 |website=Hardcore Gamer}} Kunai's release date was announced on January 14, 2020.{{Cite web |last=Craddock |first=Ryan |date=14 January 2020 |title=Save The World As A Sentient Tablet In Kunai, A Fast-Paced Metroidvania Coming To Switch |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/01/save_the_world_as_a_sentient_tablet_in_kunai_a_fast-paced_metroidvania_coming_to_switch |access-date=13 June 2022 |website=Nintendo Life}}{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=14 January 2020 |title=Kunai launches February 6 |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2020/01/kunai-launches-february-6 |access-date=13 June 2022 |website=Gematsu}} A boss trailer was released on the same day.{{Cite web |last=Sheehan |first=Gavin |date=14 January 2020 |title="Kunai" Receives A New Boss Trailer Before February Release |url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/kunai-receives-a-new-boss-trailer-before-february-release/ |access-date=13 June 2022 |website=Bleeding Cool |language=en}}

The game was featured again at PAX South 2020.{{Cite web |last=LeClair |first=Kyle |date=14 January 2020 |title=Release Date Revealed For Kunai in New Boss-Filled Trailer - Hardcore Gamer |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/news/release-date-revealed-for-kunai-in-new-boss-filled-trailer/365177/ |access-date=13 June 2022 |website=Hardcore Gamer}} Kunai was released for Microsoft Windows and Nintendo Switch on February 6, 2020. A launch trailer was released on that day to celebrate the game's launch.{{Cite web |last=Craddock |first=Ryan |date=6 February 2020 |title=Video: Watch The Launch Trailer For Kunai, Switch's Latest Metroidvania |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/02/video_watch_the_launch_trailer_for_kunai_switchs_latest_metroidvania |access-date=13 June 2022 |website=Nintendo Life}} In July, The Arcade Crew partnered with Limited Run Games to release physical editions of the Nintendo Switch version.{{Cite web |last=Sheehan |first=Gavin |date=4 July 2020 |title=Kunai Is Getting A Physical Release From Limited Run Games |url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/kunai-is-getting-a-physical-release-from-limited-run-games/ |access-date=13 June 2022 |website=Bleeding Cool |language=en}} The physical editions were released in October 2020, and came with a stickers set and a standard box. A Tabby pin was included as a pre-order gift. In July, Kunai was one of the free Twitch Prime games.{{Cite web |last=Nunneley |first=Stephany |date=26 June 2020 |title=July's free games for Twitch Prime members include Turok 2: Seeds of Evil, Dear Esther, more |url=https://www.vg247.com/twitch-prime-free-games-july |access-date=15 June 2022 |website=VG247 |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Petite |first=Steven |date=30 July 2020 |title=Amazon Prime Members: Last Day To Grab These Free PC Games |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/amazon-prime-members-last-day-to-grab-these-free-p/1100-6478984/ |access-date=15 June 2022 |website=GameSpot}} In 2022, Kunai was one of 20 games available during Fanatical's Build Your Own Easter Bundle event.{{Cite web |last=Peeples |first=Jeremy |date=15 April 2022 |title=Multi-Tier Build Your Own Easter Bundle Hits Fanatical - Hardcore Gamer |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/news/multi-tier-build-your-own-easter-bundle-hits-fanatical/421565/ |access-date=12 June 2022 |website=Hardcore Gamer}}{{Cite web |last=Bitner |first=Jon |date=15 April 2022 |title=Get 10 Steam Games For 5 Bucks This Weekend |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/get-10-steam-games-for-5-bucks-this-weekend/1100-6502523/ |access-date=15 June 2022 |website=GameSpot}}

Reception

{{Video game reviews

| title = Reception

| MC = PC: 78/100{{efn|Score based on 18 reviews.}}{{Cite web |title=KUNAI for PC Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/kunai/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |access-date=12 May 2022 |website=Metacritic |language=en}}
NS: 73/100{{efn|Score based on 32 reviews.}}{{Cite web |title=KUNAI for Switch Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/kunai/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |access-date=12 May 2022 |website=Metacritic |language=en}}

| EZA = 7.5/10{{Cite web |last=Bloodworth |first=Daniel |date=11 February 2020 |title=Review: Kunai |url=https://easyallies.com/#!/review/kunai |access-date=12 May 2022 |website=Easy Allies}}

| Fam = 32/40{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=5 February 2020 |title=Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1627 |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2020/02/famitsu-review-scores-issue-1627 |access-date=21 May 2022 |website=Gematsu}}

| GI = 6/10{{Cite magazine |last=Juba |first=Joe |date=12 February 2020 |title=Kunai Review – Swinging Low |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/kunai/kunai-review-swinging-low |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215023954/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/kunai/kunai-review-swinging-low |url-status=live |archive-date=February 15, 2020 |access-date=12 May 2022 |magazine=Game Informer |language=en}}

| GSpot = 7/10{{Cite web |last=Barbosa |first=Alessandro |date=11 February 2020 |title=Kunai Review - Throwing Knives |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/kunai-review-throwing-knives/1900-6417405/ |access-date=12 May 2022 |website=GameSpot}}

| HCG = 3.5/5{{Cite web |last=Helm |first=Jordan |date=6 February 2020 |title=Review: Kunai - Hardcore Gamer |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-kunai/366976/ |access-date=12 May 2022 |website=Hardcore Gamer}}

| NLife = {{Rating|6|10}}{{Cite web |last=Sledge |first=Ben |date=24 February 2020 |title=Review: Kunai - Pacing Problems Undermine This Otherwise Likeable Roguelike |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/kunai |access-date=12 May 2022 |website=Nintendo Life}}

| NWR = 9/10{{Cite web |last=Ronaghan |first=Neal |date=6 February 2020 |title=Kunai (Switch) Review |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/52808/kunai-switch-review |access-date=12 May 2022 |website=Nintendo World Report}}

| TA = 4.5/5{{Cite web |last=Musgrave |first=Shaun |date=13 February 2020 |title=SwitchArcade Round-Up: Mini-Views Featuring 'Kunai' and Others, 'Goblin Sword' and Today's New Releases, the Latest Sales, and More – TouchArcade |url=https://toucharcade.com/2020/02/13/switcharcade-round-up-mini-views-featuring-kunai-and-others-goblin-sword-and-todays-new-releases-the-latest-sales-and-more/ |access-date=15 June 2022 |website=TouchArcade}}

| USG = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Mike |date=6 February 2020 |title=Kunai Review: This Game Boy is Real Good at Swinging |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/kunai-review |access-date=12 May 2022 |website=USgamer |language=en |archive-date=5 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705121249/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/kunai-review |url-status=dead }}

| rev1 = Windows Central

| rev1Score = {{Rating|5|5}}{{Cite web |last=Palmer |first=Jordan |date=6 February 2020 |title=Review: Kunai is a hilariously fun metroidvania for PC and Nintendo Switch |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/kunai-review |access-date=12 May 2022 |website=Windows Central}}

}}

Kunai's PC version received "generally favorable" reviews, while the Nintendo Switch version received "mixed or average" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic. It received a score of 32 out of 40 from Famitsu, based on individual reviews of 8, 8, 8, and 8.

Shaun Musgrave from TouchArcade praised the gameplay mechanics, believing that the combat was solid. However, Musgrave felt that the exploration could have been improved, and called the game's backtracking "tiresome". Gamespot's Alessandro Barbosa commended the visual style, combat, and aerial movement. He also described the backtracking as "tiresome". Barbosa called the setting "interesting", but was disappointed by the lack of depth. Joe Juba from Game Informer felt that Kunai had the right components, but did not believe that it was assembled into a "cohesive whole". Daniel Bloodworth from Easy Allies gave Kunai a 7.5/10, writing that the visual style "stands out", and felt that it was "reminiscent" to that of a Game Boy. Bloodworth called the controls "fantastic", but was disappointed by the difficulty of the bosses.

Hardcore Gamer's Jordan Helm felt that the game may "stumble" from a lack of earlier detailing, but called it a "fun, if brief, adventure". Jordan Palmer from Windows Central wrote that Kunai was "polished", and "funny". He praised the design, combat, exploration, and soundtrack. Palmer described the visuals as "unique", but criticized the keyboard controls, writing that they "feel awkward".

Nintendo Life's Ben Sledge called the weapons "interesting", but criticized the amount of backtracking. Sledge did believe that the game fit well on the Nintendo Switch. Nintendo World Report's Neal Ronaghan praised the "Spider-Man-esque" movement, levels, and minimalist presentation. Ronaghan described the boss battles and exploration as "smartly designed". USgamer's Mike Williams wrote that Kunai "stands out" with "exceptionally fluid" combat, and praised the "Game Boy Color aesthetic". He criticized the amount of backtracking in Kunai, and felt that the level design did not offer many branching paths. Williams believed that Kunai had a great foundation for sequel.

= Nominations =

Kunai won third place at the 2020 Big Indie Pitch PC/Console Edition.

class="wikitable"

!Year

!Award

!Category

!Result

!Ref

rowspan="2" |2020

|NAVGTR Awards

|Outstanding Game, Original Family

|{{nom}}

|{{Cite web |title=2020 Winners NAVGTR |url=https://navgtr.org/2020-winners/ |access-date=12 June 2022 |website=navgtr.org}}

Webby Awards

|Best User Experience

|Honoree

|{{Cite web |title=KUNAI |url=https://winners.webbyawards.com/2020/games/features/best-user-experience/125470/kunai |access-date=21 May 2022 |website=Webby Awards |language=en}}

rowspan="1" |2021

|Dutch Game Awards

|Best Art

|{{nom}}

|{{Cite web |date=6 September 2021 |title=And the nominees are... |url=https://www.dutchgameawards.nl/2021/09/06/and-the-nominees-are/ |access-date=21 May 2022 |website=Dutch Game Awards}}

= Review bombing =

In February 2020, Kunai was review bombed on Metacritic, decreasing its user rating from 8.1 to 1.7 in a day. The studio found out that the review bombing was caused by a single user. The user used several email addresses to create around 200 accounts on Metacritic to bring the user rating down.{{Cite web |last=Valentine |first=Rebekah |date=21 February 2020 |title=Kunai becomes the latest title review bombed on Metacritic by a single person |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-02-20-kunai-becomes-the-latest-title-review-bombed-on-metacritic-by-a-single-person |access-date=12 June 2022 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}} At the time, Metacritic had no policy to identify or handle review bombing. The team reached out to Metacritic, sharing the information they had about the lack of security measures in the user review process.{{Cite web |last=de Jager |first=Benjamin |date=19 February 2020 |title=Our indie game KUNAI got review bombed to a 1.7 |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/our-indie-game-kunai-got-review-bombed-to-a-1-7 |access-date=16 June 2022 |website=Gamasutra |language=en}}