1000 Cuts: Jomaku

Adventure· Action· Hack and Slash· Souls-like

Released Mar 2024

A challenging 2D action platformer with brutal one-hit-kill combat, consequential choices, and a lore-rich story set in the dark fantasy world of Kurogawa, Japan. Inspired by Sekiro and Blasphemous, Jomaku is a free preview of One-Thousand Cuts, "raising the curtain" for the full game coming soon!

86% positive · 180 reviews

Not yet

Released, but development status unclear

Low confidence

Development Uncertain

Not yet

Released, but development status unclear

Low confidence

Development Uncertain

Where to get it

Free on Steam

Steam Free

Evaluation

1000 Cuts: Jomaku is explicitly designed and marketed as a free preview — a "proof of concept" for the full game One-Thousand Cuts. The store description calls it a "60-90 minute proof of concept experience" and the short description refers to it as "a free preview of One-Thousand Cuts, raising the curtain for the full game coming soon." This game is essentially a demo/teaser product, with the full game being a separate upcoming release. The developer (Banjo Toad Studio) was actively posting updates between March and July 2024, shipping a series of feature patches (Updates #1–4) that improved combat, art, UI, and added content. On July 9, 2024, they announced the launch of a Kickstarter campaign for the full game One-Thousand Cuts, with the campaign running until August 8, 2024. That post on July 9, 2024 is the last official communication from the developer on this game's Steam page. Since July 9, 2024, the developer has gone completely silent — no news posts, no patch notes, no Kickstarter outcome announcement, and no updates on the status of the full game. The Kickstarter campaign deadline has long since passed (August 8, 2024) with no public follow-up. Given that this product exists specifically to funnel players toward the full game, uncertainty about the full game's development directly affects the relevance and future of this preview. The developer has not communicated whether the Kickstarter succeeded or failed, whether the full game is still in development, or whether further updates to Jomaku are planned.

Evidence

Developer announces Kickstarter campaign for the full game One-Thousand Cuts, running July 9–August 8, 2024. This is the last official developer communication on record.

news post · Jul 9, 2024 source ambiguous

high

Game is described as a '60-90 minute proof of concept experience' and a free preview for the full game One-Thousand Cuts, which is described as 'coming soon'

store metadata · Mar 8, 2024 source content planned

high

Media

Details

Developer

Banjo Toad Studio

Publisher

Banjo Toad Studio

Achievements

Platform

Windows, macOS, Linux

Controller

full support

Steam Deck

Playable

Players

Single-player

Action Adventure Hack and Slash Souls-like Pixel Graphics Side Scroller 2.5D Cinematic Ninja Stylized Alternate History Dark Fantasy 2D Fighter Dragons Historical

About this game

Jomaku (除幕) "Curtain-raiser" a short act or monologue to introduce a longer kabuki play. A preview.

1000 Cuts: Jomaku is a 60-90 minute proof of concept experience of One-Thousand Cuts, with a short tutorial, plenty of exploration (over a dozen hidden pettable cats, an optional boss, bonus lore drops, three alternative video modes), unlockable upgrades, a three-phase final boss, and multiple endings based on which moral route you choose.

Combine instant-death combat with unique special abilities and environmental hazards to devastate your enemies, or die trying. Strategize efficient solutions or overwhelm with brute force as your slice your way through the Army of One-Thousand, one cut at a time.

Discover and fight a deadly collection of challenging bosses on your journey. Master each of their martial art styles to unleash powerful combat techniques on your enemies. If you can defeat them, that is.

Find hidden lore throughout a rich, dark fantasy Edo Japan. connect the shattered pieces of this expansive world, inspired by real Japanese history and folklore.

The time of the samurai is coming to an uncertain end. Exiled as a child by his father Hidetsugu, young Hiroyuki has grown up training at his Uncle Jiro's secluded dojo, hoping one day to prove himself worthy enough to return home. Now caught at the center of a hostile takeover within his clan, Hiro is torn between loyalty and honor.

Hiro has to choose: side with his father and kill his friends and Uncle Jiro - the only real family he's ever had - or side with Uncle Jiro and attempt to face down the fearsome army under his father's control. It only takes one cut to kill, but what is one man against the Army of One-Thousand?

Last evaluated Jun 20, 2026