Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound Image
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83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

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  • Summary: From the acclaimed team behind Blasphemous, NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound successfully unites the classic lore and gameplay of the Tecmo-developed (now KOEI TECMO GAMES) NINJA GAIDEN series from the 8-bit era with the depth and intensity of the modern 3D entries. The best of both eras comeFrom the acclaimed team behind Blasphemous, NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound successfully unites the classic lore and gameplay of the Tecmo-developed (now KOEI TECMO GAMES) NINJA GAIDEN series from the 8-bit era with the depth and intensity of the modern 3D entries. The best of both eras come together to create an epic and thrilling adventure.

    Our story begins when Ryu Hayabusa journeys to America to honor his father's will. While he is away, the barrier between the human and the demon worlds suddenly shatters, unleashing a terrifying army upon the Hayabusa Village, which now faces an unprecedented threat in Ryu's absence.

    To stand against this new threat, Kenji Mozu, a young ninja from the Hayabusa Village, rises to the challenge!
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Aug 11, 2025
    90
    If you are after a breathless ride through a lovingly crafted world, NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound may well be the game for you.
  2. Jul 31, 2025
    90
    I would be surprised if Ragebound is not the best of Koei’s Ninja Gaiden revivals in 2025.
  3. Aug 8, 2025
    90
    Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound doesn’t try to be everything, unlike many games nowadays; no, it just tries to be damn good at what it is. And that’s exactly why it works. This is the most focused, confident entry the series has seen in years. No bloated cutscenes, no watered-down combat, no unnecessary frills. Just you, your blade, and a demon army to cut through. It’s not perfect though, the short runtime and limited build variety may leave some wanting more but what’s here is tight, polished, and relentlessly fun. For fans of Black, Sigma, or even the NES originals, this is the closest we’ve gotten to the true spirit of Ninja Gaiden in over a decade.
  4. Aug 1, 2025
    80
    Don't be afraid to take on this Ninja Gaiden imagined by The Game Kitchen. While the name of the license may make you tremble, Ragebound has more than one talisman up its sleeve to ensure that all players find pleasure in it, from the brave young Genin to the invincible Jônin. Very pleasant to play, both technical and fun, it is pure arcade fun like we rarely see. With a little more inventiveness in its level design and some better exploited ideas, it would have reached the coveted rank of Ninja Master. Ryu can in any case be proud of Kenji, his protégé defended the house very well in his absence.
  5. Aug 1, 2025
    80
    Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a thrilling revival that successfully channels the spirit of the classic series while also building upon it with some inspired new mechanics. It remains to be seen if the upcoming Ninja Gaiden 4 will likewise live up to the series' standards, but Koei Tecmo's Year of the Ninja is off to a good start.
  6. Aug 21, 2025
    78
    Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound proves to be not only an excellent 2D side-scrolling action-platformer with engaging gameplay and high-quality ‘90s-inspired visuals, but also a strong spin-off that fits neatly into Ryu Hayabusa’s saga. Greater variety and better difficulty balance could have elevated it further, yet it remains a highly recommended experience for fans of the series and the genre.
  7. Jul 30, 2025
    70
    Dotemu and The Game Kitchen deliver a solid homage with Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound - a throwback to classic action-platformers whose gameplay still cuts sharp. If you're after a pure trip down memory lane with pixel-perfect precision front and center, this game hits the mark. But if you're hoping for an explosive, innovative experience to sink countless hours into, Ragebound falls just a bit short - though in the year of the ninja, it's still a worthy addition to the Gaiden legacy.

See all 11 Critic Reviews