Shinobi: Art of Vengeance

After Streets of Rage 4, I wasn’t sure bringing back another of the 16-bit classics would have quite the same impact, but I was wrong. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is an incredibly fun action platformer, with fantastic combat design, enemy encounters, optional challenges, and the audio visual presentation to really make it sing. I’m done with the story but am already itching to get back and play the unlocked Arcade and Boss Rush modes, and whether you have nostalgia for the old days or not, this is quite simply one of the best games of the year, so get it played.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance marks the triumphant return of a legendary series that had been silent for too long. SEGA and Lizardcube have achieved what seemed almost impossible: bringing back the essence of Shinobi without falling into mere nostalgia , offering a game that works for both veterans and new generations. Comparing it to series like Ninja Gaiden is inevitable, but also unfair. While Ninja Gaiden always opted for more frenetic gameplay and a high level of difficulty, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance offers a more balanced pace, with an emphasis on combat and strategy . They are two distinct offerings that, in reality, complement each other.

A masterclass in how to resurrect a dormant and beloved series. Like Streets of Rage 4 before it, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is another beautiful, fluid, and endlessly gratifying game that stays true to its classic forebears, while providing something that feels fresh and vital. Superlative stuff.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a strong return for the series, bringing together incredible art direction, strong level design, and a combat loop that's both endlessly satisfying and addictive. Sprinkle in some light Metroid-inspired backtracking and some incredibly challenging optional content, and you've got an experience that goes above and beyond anything offered by previous Shinobi games. And while the original soundtrack is average, the voice work is sterile and the story even more so, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is an incredibly entertaining and satisfying action platformer that's well worth your time.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance doesn’t reinvent the genre, but it successfully blends its best elements into a worthy tribute to both the series and the genre itself. At its core, it still feels like Shinobi, yet the new developers add their own touch, delivering solid action with good length, replayability, and challenge. While cluttered fights, uneven checkpoints, and a weak story hold it back, it’s still a worthy tribute to the series.