SONOKUNI News

[p]We're excited to announce a new free content update to SONOKUNI! From today, you can dig deep into a vast collection of artwork, design notes, and music tracks as part of a new Gallery Mode. [/p][p]Boot up the game from today and you'll find a new option down at the bottom of the main menu. Select that and you'll get to peek behind the curtain to see how the final designs of SONOKUNI came to be, from time-bending power-wielding protagonist Takeru, to the bizarre biotech beings she battles against in her quest for vengeance.
[/p][p]Also included are a collection of music tracks from the game, giving players a chance to aurally drink in the eclectic Japanese hip hop tones of Don Yasa Crew while taking a break from the blood pressure-raising carnage of the main game.
[/p][p]And to celebrate this update - and the critical warmth the game has received since its launch earlier this year - there’s a new Accolades trailer! Check it out below![/p][p][/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][p]We've been bowled over by the positive response to SONOKUNI so far! As always though, we're keen to hear your feedback - feel free to share your thoughts on the game (or y'know, just give us a follow to find out what we're cooking next) via our socials (Twitter / X | Bluesky | TikTok), or via Steam Discussions.[/p][p][/p][p]Many Thanks,[/p][p][/p][p]Kakehashi Games[/p]

Hi everyone,

A quick note to let you know that Valve has completed its assement of SONOKUNI on Steam Deck and as you can see it has come out of the other side of that process with a shiny new 'Verified' badge!

We knew SONOKUNI would run just fine on the Steam Deck (we've been playing and testing it ourselves on the device for a long time prior to launch), but to have the stamp of approval from Valve is a nice slap on the back we thought worth celebrating!



Whatever device you're playing on: thank you for giving SONOKUNI a try! We hope this 'Verified' badge inspires you to take SONOKUNI with you on your next commute!

Many thanks,

Kakehashi Games

Hi everyone,

We've said it before and we'll say it again: thank you so much to everyone who has picked up SONOKUNI. It's been over a month since launch and we've been blown away by the positive reception!

Special thanks go to everyone that has left a review on Steam as well - every single one counts!

As mentioned in our previous patch note posts, we've got our ears to the ground and are listening to all your feedback. As such, please find the latest patch notes with a few more bug fixes and animation clean-ups below.

Many Thanks,

Kakehashi Games

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Patch 1.0.4 notes:

Bug fixes
Second boss stage

• Fixed an issue where some attacks caused the player to go outside the camera.
  

Third boss stage

• Fixed an issue where some attacks disappeared when using a certain method.
  

Stage 7

• Fixed an issue with moving between levels.
  

Stage 8

• Fixed an issue that made it impossible to clear hard mode.
  

Speed ​​run mode

• Fixed an issue where the time display was incorrect when clearing hard mode.
  

Presentation adjustments Third boss stage

• Changed the camera work during the defeat presentation.
  

Hi everyone,

As we mentioned in the last patch notes: a huge THANK YOU to everyone that has picked up SONOKUNI in the (almost) 2 weeks since launch. The positive feedback has been incredible (100% positive reviews on Steam at time of writing!).

That said, we're also listening for any and all feedback to help make the game better and better, so please do take to the Steam Discussion board with any thoughts - we're reading everything and even the smallest bit of feedback can help us improve SONOKUNI further.

If you're enjoying the game, please consider leaving a review on Steam. Every single review helps!

Many thanks,

Kakehashi Games

***

Patch 1.0.3 notes:

• Bug fixes: Boss stage, normal battle stage
  
• Presentation adjustments: Side-scrolling stage, title screen, boss presentation
  
• Difficulty adjustments: normal battle stage

Bug fixes

Third boss stage

• Fixed an issue where parts of the boss stage could be skipped in a certain way. -Fixed an issue where the number of attacks increased when using slow.
  
• Fixed an issue where the boss's behavior changed when entering the pause screen.

All stages (common)

• Fixed an issue where FPS dropped when repeatedly challenging the same room.
  
• Fixed an issue where loading occurred when approaching the last door in hard mode.

Presentation adjustments

• Side-scrolling stage & Wanokuni (bridge) - Changed the placement of residents.

Title screen

• When the hidden difficulty level is unlocked, the corresponding item is now highlighted.
  
• Added version notation to the title screen.

Boss performance Third boss stage

• Added SE (sound effects) to the manga performance.
  
• Added a cutscene before the performance.
  
• Adjusted the boss's appearance.

Fourth boss stage

• Added a cutscene to the conversation before the boss battle.
  
• Changed Takeru's position during the conversation.

Difficulty adjustments Stage 4 (Public bath stage)

• Changed the placement of some enemies on the main route.

Second boss stage

• Changed the placement of some attacks.

Hi everyone,

Before we get into the details of this 1.0.2 patch for SONOKUNI, we just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has picked up the game and especially to those who have left such awesome feedback. It's been just over a week since launch and we've been blown away by the positive responses (and head bopping emojis).

All that said, if you do have any additional feedback to share, or if you do run into any issues at all, please do feel free to share them with us, either by responding to this post, or by heading to the Steam Discussions board. We are reading everything and every little bit of feedback, no matter how small, helps us improve the game!

Speaking of help, if you haven't already, please do consider leaving SONOKUNI a review on Steam. Getting reviews early doors makes a big difference for plucky hip hop indie games.

Read on for the patch notes!

Many thanks,

Kakehashi Games

***

Patch 1.0.2 notes:

[Difficulty Adjustments]

Bosses

• Second boss stage
  
• Changed the coloring of bounceable and guardable attacks.
  

• Third boss stage
  
• Reduced enemy rotation speed in the first phase.
  
• Fixed unnatural movement during cutscenes.
  
• Fixed the hit detection of goldfish bullets and bullet slip (guard) detection.
  

• Fourth boss stage
  
• Adjusted the camera work.
  
• Adjusted the position of enemies that appear from outside the field of view at the bottom of the screen.
  

[Bug Fixes]

Battle Stages

• Stage 3 (Shrine Stage)
  
• Fixed an area where it was difficult to distinguish between floors and walls.
  

• Stage 4 (Public Bath Stage)
  
• Fixed an area where the main character would get stuck and become trapped.
  

• Stage 5 (Houseboat Stage)
  
• Fixed an issue where enemies on Main Route 3 would disappear and the player would become trapped in a room.
  
• Fixed an issue where players would get trapped by turning back after passing through a room on Main Route 1.
  

• Common fixes for all stages
  
• Fixed an issue where leaving the last room without defeating the Wanokuni people would prevent progress.
  
• Fixed an issue where the image of the defeated main character would show no gore when gore was on.
  

[Presentation adjustments]

Side-scrolling stage

• Sonokuni
  
• Fixed a display issue during the prayer cutscene.
  
• Changed the placement of residents in each stage.
  

Menus

• Options screen
  
• Changed the difficulty item on the options screen so that you can check the description.
  
• Changed the description of the hidden difficulty level so that it is displayed when selecting a chapter.
  

***