Shinobi: Art of Vengeance

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a brilliant action game that plays just as wonderfully as it looks. It’s easy to pick up, yet packed with depth thanks to a combo system you learn organically. The game continuously expands both combat and exploration with new abilities. Above all, it looks breathtaking with a unique painterly style and stunning lighting effects. Every level is crammed with secrets and extra challenges that provide countless hours of fun. The bosses are tricky, but they never gave me the feeling I couldn’t overcome them. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is the kind of action game they rarely make anymore – and it plays even better than it looks.

It’s one of the most gorgeous, creative, and satisfying games of 2025 and has effortlessly clawed its way to becoming my frontrunner for Game of the Year.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is, honestly, the definition of a video game. It has an incredible and addictive combat system, stunning graphics, a well-executed metroidvania vibe in the levels, a cliché story that perfectly matches the theme, and challenging extra modes.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance‘s unparalleled art style is an intoxicating gateway into this incredibly engaging action game steeped in classic roots but offering undeniably modern touches. Lizardcube’s peak combat and level design are equally at the forefront, providing a masterfully crafted interpretation of a classic that will now be a triumph in its own right.

With its gorgeous hand drawn art and kinetic combat, Shinobi Art Of Vengeance is one of my favorite games of 2025, and one of the best 2D action-platformers in years.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is one of the best games of the year. There's no doubt about it. Lizardcube are geniuses, and they've proven that any SEGA franchise has the potential to make a spectacular comeback, as long as it's in their hands. So, the only question remains: when will they give Golden Axe the same treatment?

It should always be lauded when a classic series is brought back in peak form, and Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is an ideal representation of that notion. Between masterfully woven 2D platforming and action combat that leverages the extraordinary movement in place, alongside commendable optional challenges, there’s no shortage of meticulous quality for platforming enthusiasts to appreciate. If Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is indicative of the caliber we can anticipate from Sega’s incoming classic revivals, then I believe it’s fair to say that we’re in more than good hands.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance should serve as a blueprint for delivering a retro-facing experience of an absentee franchise while still leveraging modern technology and game design conventions.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is nothing short of incredible. Its layered combat system lets you stylishly cut down foes, while clever level design delivers platforming challenges that make full use of your abilities. The difficulty is demanding yet fair, rewarding you for learning and responding to enemy attacks. More than just a worthy reboot, it feels like the ideal starting point for Sega’s wider revival.

Shinobi Art of Vengeance is the next big thing for modernized 2D games. Combat, platforming and visual style are top notch, but the game also manages to capture what made the Shinobi games of yesteryear remembered until today.

SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance doesn’t aim to reinvent the genre — instead, it focuses on perfecting what’s already there. And in that, it’s successful. The combat is sharp and stylish, the platforming offers a satisfying challenge, and the ability to revisit sections of a level adds great replay value while giving players a chance to collect anything they may have missed. Art of Vengeance is also a great nod to the old-school Shinobi titles and the franchise as a whole, which is a nice plus for longtime fans.

Shinobi: Act of Vengeance is a near-perfect revival of a classic. It delivers razor-sharp combat, smooth platforming, and hand-drawn animations that make every move feel like an interactive anime. The game honors its 16-bit roots but enhances them with modern design choices that feel fresh and exciting. Storytelling remains minimal, and some platforming sections can feel unforgiving, but overall this is a stylish, exhilarating ode to Sega’s ninja legacy.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance marks a strong return for Sega's classic series, keeping its retro charm while delivering polished gameplay, engaging and complex combat, and exploration that invites multiple playthroughs. Coupled with its beautiful visuals and energizing soundtrack, it stands out.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is an action game that cannot be missing from your library. From a technical standpoint, it's a triumph of beauty and level design, while in terms of gameplay it's truly unrivaled even by much more renowned games, thanks to a deep study of the original brand's concepts, transformed into an essential and highly enjoyable game.

Shinobi Art of Vengeance is an absolute banger, both a heartfelt tribute to a legendary franchise and a smart modernization for a new generation of players who never experienced Joe Musashi in the era of 8-16-bit consoles and arcade halls. The French studio Lizardcube clearly understood how to strike the perfect balance between tradition and innovation, drawing on the fundamentals of the early games while enriching the gameplay with modern mechanics designed for fluidity, depth, and combat variety.

A slick and stylish revival that captures the spirit of classic Shinobi while adding modern polish. Tight combat, striking visuals, and smart level design make this a must-play for fans of ninja action.

Shinobi Art of Vengeance raised the bar too high for side-scrolling Hack n Slash games, with an extremely fun combat and museum worth visuals.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a near-perfect reintroduction to the classic Sega series, complete with an incredible art style, fast and stylish swordplay, and excellent platforming.

Shinobi Art of Vengeance is a sumptuous game and it reflects LizardCube's talent. Its artistic direction and its nervous and juicy gameplay offer a masterful and extremely satisfying experience, Not to mention its music which perfectly fits the deeply 90s DNA of the cult license. A successful return!

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance joins this year’s pantheon of ninja games, proving itself as a true metroidvania with deep exploration, stunning hand-drawn art, and fast-paced combat. Musashi shows he hasn’t aged a bit in nearly 40 years, seamlessly reinventing himself as a modern-day shinobi while never losing the essence that once made him a SEGA icon.

It’s so satisfying to move through this world, and to lay waste to Ruse’s army with your incredible moveset, that I can’t help but hope this is just the beginning of Joe Musashi’s comeback.

Shinobi: Art of Vengance is a vibrant reimagining of the beloved SEGA franchise. Lizardcube developed a masterpiece 2D platformer featuring metroidvania exploration and a solid, engaging combo based combat system.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a wonderful revival of the long-dormant franchise, and it combines excellent combat with an engaging pseudo-Metroidvania gameplay style. I had a rollicking good time from start to finish. My only real complaint comes from the somewhat finicky precision platforming, but even that is limited to some optional, late-game areas. If you're a fan of the franchise, there's a lot to like, but this latest ninja revival is good for newcomers and longtime fans alike.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance doesn’t settle for redoing the past. Instead, it brings the series forward with a distinct art style and bold new ideas. Art of Vengeance captures the spirit of Sega with a well-designed game that as an overly concerned Shinobi fanatic, I can muster only minor gripes about. It's good, it's fresh, and it's fun.

Everything about Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is such a spectacle to behold, so even though it did feel a bit longer than it really needed to be, clocking in at approximately 20 hours for a typical playthrough, there was enough nuance and consistent variety to keep me engaged throughout.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is the game that a legend like Joe Musashi deserves. Fast, frenetic and utterly absorbing, this is how you bring a long-dead series back to life. Lizardcube have set a new benchmark in 2D platforming and in the process have me salivating at the prospect of Sega franchises they could tackle next.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance once again puts us in control of the legendary Joe Musashi, and it's a genuine treat. Fast and fluid combat meets slick platforming and traversal, and when you add in the game's stunning art and excellent soundtrack, you're looking at game of the year material.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance triumphs at what it sets out to achieve. A side-scrolling action game, it brings intense, fast-flowing combat and some very light metroidvania elements for brief bouts of exploration. If you’ve played developer Lizardcube’s previous game, Streets of Rage 4, expect a similarly stunning hand-drawn art style here, as well as an excellent soundtrack that keeps the action feeling suitably engaging. Make no mistake, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a game of the year contender and essential play for action game fans.

While I can't speak for this game in comparison to its 16-bit heyday, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a thrill that stands on its own. It's a total master class in combat depth, level design, and story moments that leave enough to the imagination without completely halting the action. It's good enough that it'll make people wonder what took so long for this franchise to come back in the first place. It'll also make people wonder, between this and Streets of Rage 4, if there's another classic franchise that could use the Lizardcube touch, because this developer is clearly very good at what it does.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is hard to fault. We can take or leave the story, the platforming is occasionally frustrating, and levels can outstay their welcome sometimes — but that's basically it. This is otherwise a brilliant 2D action platformer that looks gorgeous and plays even better thanks to kinetic, satisfying combat that feels superb when you get in the flow. If this is any indicator of SEGA's other upcoming franchise revivals, we're in for some good times ahead.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance revives a beloved classic in spectacular fashion, combining high-octane action with stunning, art-worthy visuals. Its gameplay encourages you to unleash dazzling combos, uncover hidden secrets, and keep the adrenaline pumping without pause. Packed with unforgettable moments, this is an absolute must-play.

With Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, Lizardcube has created an excellent 2D action-platformer with a great combat system and cool platforming, featuring some rather tough scenes at times, but ultimately always remaining fair. Furthermore, the audiovisual presentation is almost beyond reproach, making the game a more than worthy heir to the venerable Shinobi series in virtually every respect. Anyone who likes this kind of game even the slightest bit has to get it.

Like Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap and Streets of Rage 4 before it, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance proves once again that Lizardcube knows how to bring Sega’s most beloved properties to the modern era with its crisp, combo-driven combat and fast and fluid platforming action. Whether you grew up with Joe Musashi or are stepping into his tabi boots for the first time, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a spectacular evolution for the series that cuts through the competition.

Joe Musashi re-emerges from the shadows to reclaim his title as a shinobi master with a smash-hit game that combines the depth and speed of modern hack-and-slash gameplay with the progression and arcade structure of classic titles. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is one of the best 2D action games of 2025.

SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance is fast, exciting, hard, satisfying, fun, beautiful and the perfect return for a franchise so legendary. It maintains the essence of the original game and also adds the perfect amount of modernity to make it stand out. It’s the full package, and one the best action-adventure games of 2025.

SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance is a fast-paced action adventure that will delight fans of the genre, marking the long-awaited return of a classic SEGA series.

Another ninja returns from the past offering an excellent experience. Musashi is a beast, thanks to a satisfying combat system that’s deep yet accessible. Strong level design elevates the platforming, while light metroidvania elements make backtracking a joy.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is very much a ‘what you see is what you get’ type of game, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The core experience is incredibly fun and the optional challenges can deliver a rush of adrenaline, even if they can feel a bit over-tuned. The biggest drawback is that once it’s over, you’ll wish there was more.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a whirlwind of combat and exploration: fast, fluid, and lethal. It forces you to learn and grow like a true ninja, with challenging confrontations and challenges. Its metroidvania-like level structure doesn't really play up these strengths, but it's the only thing that can be held against this triumphant return, for both fans of the classic franchise and newcomers.

Shinobi Art of Vengeance is a fantastic start to Sega’s Next Level program, and one that’s easy to recommend. Priced at a budget-conscious $48 AUD and offering around 15 or so hours of gameplay, fans of the franchise or the likes of The Lost Crown will certainly dig this.

From start to finish, the resurrection of the Shinobi franchise is one well deserved – with gorgeous visuals and a stellar ninja power fantasy that confidently (and silently) stands on its own two feet.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a thoroughly enjoyable and action-packed time that’ll satiate both series veterans who’ve long been awaiting a return and newcomers who’ve always wanted to check the franchise out. With Lizardcube utilising the best parts of their game design DNA while truly understanding what it means to be a Shinobi game, they have crafted this retro-infused adventure that celebrates the old and embraces the new. With kickass challenging platforming, combat, boss fights and setpieces that’ll take some mastering, meaningful progression that fits right into the series, and gorgeous, gorgeous sights that run the gamut on this shinobi-starring journey, Art of Vengeance is simply artful. It’s a pinpoint precision strike to the gut of those after some good old-fashioned ninja action chaos.

I had a blast with SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance as its modern gameplay approach, enjoyable combat, and stunning presentation really make it stand out as a worthwhile reimagining of an iconic series.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a love letter to SEGA’s classic saga, blending old and new in a masterful 2D hack ’n slash. Challenging, rewarding, and packed with secrets and style, it’s a must-play for action fans and a hopeful spark for a new SEGA renaissance.

Fast and fun ninja action revitalizes the Shinobi name, introducing enough fresh ideas to engage modern players, though the classic SEGA nostalgia is somewhat overshadowed by its contemporary indie approach.

Perhaps the biggest compliment we can pay to Sega is that even if you stripped away the IP and our memories of Musashi's prior missions, we would still have an exquisite action-platform game on our hands. [Issue#415, p.94]

Don't expect profound dialogues or a layered story. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance relies on its challenging mix of fighting game and platformer. It is a successful homage to the series and to the 80s and 90s, when ninjas, just like today's superheroes, were omnipresent in popular culture.

A successful relaunch of the Shinobi franchise that doesn’t attempt to do anything startlingly new but instead makes do with being a very well-constructed action adventure.

Lizardcube succeeds in resurrecting the iconic Joe Musashi from the past, crafting a stylish and original video game that is also respectful of the roots of the Sega series: Art of Vengeance is a side-scrolling action game that rewards players who want to conclude each battle in the most spectacular way possible, offering a fast-paced and deep combat system that, unfortunately, isn't fully enhanced by the experience's decreasing difficulty curve. The title's artistic direction is nothing short of exceptional, offering a visual richness unmatched in both form and substance, with a simple level design that always offers something new with every change of setting. During the main campaign, the platforming sections proved to be merely a pacing mechanism, but those seeking a stimulating challenge will find plenty to enjoy in the optional Ankou Portal levels and in some secret areas that will test the reflexes of even the most demanding players.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a fantastic experience from start to finish and a brilliant comeback for the classic franchise. The gameplay is stylish and will make players feel cool from start to finish. While it does suffer from a repetitive gameplay loop, players who want a 2D action game that brings out the best of modern and classic game design will not be disappointed.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a high-quality Metroidvania that reaffirms that the series still has a bright future ahead of it. It's a memorable experience with combat that raises my expectations for any new game coming to the genre.

Like a lovingly polished katana, Shinobi Art of Vengeance cuts hard. Pleasant to pick up and fun to play thanks to its multiple moves, it's such a robust action game that the platforming aspect seems more timid in comparison. Sure, the Metroidvania-lite aspect offers large levels to explore, but it doesn't transcend the experience. In any case, we feel the rigor of intensive training behind many gameplay mechanics, like a shinobi perfecting his art, even if all the techniques observed have already been seen elsewhere.

Off the back of 2017’s Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap and 2020’s Streets of Rage 4, developer Lizardcube had already proven itself to be a safe pair of hands when it comes to resurrecting classic Sega series’, and Shinobi: Art of Vengeance has only further cemented its reputation as a studio capable of making everything old feel new again. This is a genuinely engaging 2D action platformer, beautiful to behold and even better to play. It’s blessed with a combat system that expands in an invigorating way, as well as a healthy amount of secret side objectives that offer some serious optional challenges outside of the main story path. Like a ninja strapped onto a surfboard, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is eyecatching, deadly, and totally rad as hell.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance brings one of SEGA’s most beloved icons back to life. This 2D action-platformer, with a retro spirit and modern mechanics, strikes a perfect balance between hack-and-slash combat and metroidvania-style exploration, enhanced by stunning art and animations that are as fluid as they are epic.

SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance looks to revive the long-dormant Shinobi series after an almost fifteen-year hiatus. Developer Lizardcube brings Joe Musashi back into the limelight in one of the most stunning-looking games of the year, which is sure to make longtime fans of the series happy. Although there are a few stumbles along the way and design choices that I wish had been ironed out more, SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance is a great game that will hopefully kickstart this series back to life and work as a building block for future titles to come.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance loses its footing a fair number of times, but that doesn’t completely overwrite when it swiftly strikes its target with the kind of grace only a ninja can wield. Dropping combos because of sometimes unwieldy button combinations or unexpectedly long recovery periods is frustrating, but executing three goons at once after a lengthy juggle is always gratifying, especially when it’s consistently supported by some of the prettiest 2D art in the medium. Even though the “art” may be stronger than the “vengeance” in Art of Vengeance, they still come together to form an experience that’s still plenty sharp.