Sektori from Kimmo Lahtinen is a fast-paced, arcade-style twin-stick shooter set to an energetic techno soundtrack that fuels its non-stop action. The experience is both stylish and demanding — a challenge that rewards precision, adaptability, and rhythm. Check our Sektori review!
Sektori is an intense, fast paced twin-stick shooter infused with hard hitting techno music. Choose your upgrades carefully and create powerful builds to take on the relentless enemies and epic bosses on a constantly evolving battlefield. Sektori is a game that requires your complete focus, a game where the high-adrenaline visuals, music, and gameplay come together to transport you into another state of consciousness.
Gameplay
Sektori from Kimmo Lahtinen brings six different modes: Campaign, Classic, Gates, Assault, Surge, Crash, and Boss Rush, ensuring plenty of variety for fans of high-energy arcade shooters. The controls follow the traditional twin-stick format: you move with the left analog stick and aim and fire with the right one.
In the Campaign mode, you’ll progress through a series of levels that unlock one by one. The enemy flow is relentless — even on “Experience”, the easiest difficulty setting, I often found myself overwhelmed by the constant barrage of enemies. It’s surprisingly challenging, and while that may be by design, it’s worth noting that more casual players might struggle early on.
One thing that stood out during my time with the game is that movement with the base weapon feels slightly floaty. It’s not quite as tight or responsive as Super Stardust HD, which remains one of my all-time favorite space shooters. That said, the flow of action and enemy density still keeps you locked in from the very first wave.
A key mechanic is Evolve, which lets you pick new cards or power-ups as you go. Enemies drop triangular currency upon destruction, which you must collect to upgrade your ship. My only gripe is that once you’ve gathered a power-up, you still need to press X to activate upgrades which is a small but noticeable interruption in the middle of the chaos. I would’ve preferred automatic activation to help maintain the game’s flow.
Level Design and Presentation
The level design in Sektori is stylish and surprisingly dynamic. Each stage continuously morphs, forcing you to adapt to ever-changing layouts. When parts of the arena start flashing in dark red, that’s your signal to move — fast. Stay there too long, and it’s instant game over. It’s a creative way to keep players alert and makes every run feel slightly different.
Visually, Sektori is one of the game’s clear highlights. Its energetic blend of pulsing effects, rapid camera shifts, and neon color palette perfectly matches the high-tempo soundtrack. The result is a striking visual identity that makes each run feel alive. Combined with an outstanding techno soundtrack, the presentation shines. I played the game through my sound bar and subwoofer, and that’s definitely how I recommend experiencing it, since regular TV speakers can’t do the bass or intensity justice. The DualSense controller also adds subtle vibrations that further enhance the immersion.
And now, let’s talk about the trophies! This release features a full trophy list, including a Platinum trophy… and it’s going to be a very challenging trophy run! The list is split into 28 Bronze trophies, 9 Silver trophies, and 4 Gold trophies for you to work on. Some of the objectives include completing each of the worlds in the campaign on any difficulty, beating 3 different Gen 1.0 bosses, reaching a maximum chain on any boss, surviving 120 seconds straight without a shield, getting a 10x strike combo, and getting an A rank or better in all challenge modes.
Sektori delivers an electrifying, fast-paced twin-stick experience that blends rhythmic energy with visual chaos. It’s not for the faint of heart, but players who thrive on intensity will find a lot to love here. If you’ve been craving something in the vein of Super Stardust HD but with its own stylish twist, Sektori deserves a look. The game is out today on PlayStation 5.
Disclaimer
This Sektori review is based on a PlayStation 5 copy provided by Kimmo Lahtinen.
