Zemore Indie Games has announced Katanagari, a single-player fantasy RPG built by solo developer Jucheh. The game is in development, and no release date has been set.
According to the publisher, Katanagari is designed around exploration, discovery and player-driven adventure, aiming to recapture the feel of early-2000s MMORPGs without the grind. Progress comes from observation, curiosity and experimentation rather than repetitive tasks, and the game is set in a handcrafted, non-procedural world.
The world draws on Asian history and folklore alongside medieval elements. Players train skills, complete quests, fight creatures, gather resources and upgrade equipment using a five-element magic system. The publisher describes the NPCs, minigames, random events and easter eggs as well-written and charming despite simple graphics.
The official Steam playtest is expected to arrive by the end of 2026, according to the announcement. Players who want updates can join the game’s official Discord server.
About the developer
Jucheh, who has played RuneScape since childhood, spent years living in Japan. He holds a degree in East Asian studies, worked as a translator and interpreter, and completed a master’s in analytics and machine learning. According to the publisher, he taught himself programming along the way and now works on the game alone.
