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Step back into the world of ninja lore with Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, where classic combat meets stunning 2D artistry and thrilling metroidvania exploration.
A Ninja Saga Reawakened
If you grew up with the pulse-pounding thrill of Shinobi, the series’ 2025 revival by Lizardcube is bound to spark some serious nostalgia. Since 2017, Lizardcube has become the maestro of retro Sega revivals, dazzling fans with titles like Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap remake and Streets of Rage 4. Now, with Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, they’ve breathed new life into a franchise that had been silent since Shinobi on the 3DS fourteen years ago.
The game plunges you straight into the chaos with an attack on the Musashi clan by the villainous ENE Corp, led by Ruse — a baddie who’s stolen “the power of death” to up the ante on evil. Helping ninja Joe Musashi on his journey are a colorful cast: the eager prodigy Tomoe, the rebel leader Chiyo, and even the grim reaper himself, the Ankou. And yes, Joe’s wife Naoko makes a long-awaited return, though she’s far too pregnant for any ninja stunts this time!
Once the opening mission wraps up, you’re dropped onto a map screen where you choose from several stages. Fourteen stages beckon, including bonus levels and a massive final battle to test your skills.
Visuals That Slash Beyond Expectations
Lizardcube’s signature style shines brilliantly through Art of Vengeance. Their knack for crisp, high-res 2D animation is simply breathtaking. The sprites move with comic book flair, animated smoothly enough to make you feel like you’re inside a graphic novel. But it’s the backgrounds that steal the show — a lush, layered spectacle that nods to Shinobi III’s legendary parallax scrolling.
The opening level alone is a masterpiece: the grassy fields of the Musashi estate stretch out in stunning detail, backed by towering mountains and a gigantic monster rampaging ominously in the distance. This layering of depth and detail creates a living, breathing world that’s a feast for the eyes.
Classic Themes with Modern Twists
Journeying through the stages feels like a tour through the best Shinobi memories mixed with fresh twists. From traditional Japanese villages lit by lantern festivals and fireworks, to the neon-lit urban chaos of Neo City, and even eerie bio-horror underground labs — the environments are diverse and immersive.
Keep your eyes peeled for subtle nods to Sega legends, such as Ryo Hazuki from Shenmue making a cameo by the fish market docks. Classic foes and bosses return as well, including Mandara, the spinning statue from the original arcades, and a star-studded DLC stage featuring characters like Dr. Eggman from Sonic the Hedgehog and Goro Majima from Yakuza. Near the finale, you confront a titanic monster — but instead of a direct brawl, you take the fight inside its body for a unique, multi-stage showdown.
The game also lovingly pays homage to Shinobi III with bonus stages, like riding a giant dog through fields (a cheeky twist on the horse rides of old) and surfing down a river beside a cityscape. Checkpoints throughout stages make the journey manageable, and defeated enemies and puzzles stay cleared, making repeated runs less frustrating.
Combat Refined with Depth and Flair
If you thought Shinobi combat was simple button-mashing, think again. Art of Vengeance deepens the formula with combo chains, varied sword strikes (weak and strong attacks), and a gradually expanding moveset. Kunai throwing is back but now capped initially at five, with pickups and enemy drops replenishing them.
Ninja magic, or Ninpo, is split into two tiers. The weaker spells enhance your main attacks—flame breath, counters, bombs, giant shurikens—though they require some finger gymnastics with trigger-hold and button combos, making them tricky but satisfying to pull off. The stronger ninjutsu moves are fan favorites like Karyu (screen-wide damage) and Mjjin (a high-risk, high-reward explosion move).
Joe’s agility is a joy to control, with moves inspired by Shinobi III but expanded: double jumps, dodge rolls, and mid-air dashes add fluidity to combat and platforming alike.
Enemies That Keep You on Your Toes
The variety of foes is impressive—old favorites and new threats alike. From the boomerang-shield-wielding enemies of the first arcade game to suits of armor straight out of Shinobi III, plus snipers, archers firing lightning bolts, hulking ogres, and healing support units that prolong battles. Armor mechanics add a strategic layer, requiring you to break defenses before landing hits.
Without a block button, dodging is your best friend, and the ninja magic counterattack helps balance the odds. Plus, an execution gauge fills as you land hits; when full, enemies become vulnerable to stylish, brutal finishers that reward you with extra loot. Kunai throws help build this gauge faster, encouraging you to weave them into combos.
Exploration and Challenges That Reward Skill
Initially, stages feel linear but soon open up as you unlock new abilities—grappling hooks, gliders, and barrier-breaking attacks—allowing you to revisit old levels and uncover secrets. Platforming challenges require precision and timing, sometimes demanding a full minute of flawless movement through spike-filled caves or falling platforms.
These platforming sections are punishingly difficult, often more so than combat or boss fights, punishing one misstep with a restart and a minor health penalty. Mastering them feels immensely rewarding though, like pulling off a perfect ninja stunt.
Secrets abound in every stage:
- Oboro symbols unlock new shop items and abilities.
- Amulets grant bonuses like enhanced attacks.
- Elite Squad encounters are optional enemy gauntlets that reward special items.
- Ankou Rifts challenge you with brutal ethereal platforming.
- Collecting lab keys unlocks a showdown with the secret boss—the Shadow Master from Shinobi III.
Soundtrack That Sets the Mood
The soundtrack is crafted by Tee Lopes, known for Sonic Mania and TMNT Shredder’s Revenge, with contributions from legendary Yuzo Koshiro. Tracks dynamically shift between exploration and combat, though sometimes the music is drowned out by sound effects. Highlights include boss battles, bonus levels, and the eerie Ankou Rift themes, the latter recalling the pulse of Streets of Rage.
Joe’s voice work comes from Sega icon Takenobu Mitsuyoshi, adding authentic charm to the game’s atmosphere.
The Verdict: A Ninja Revival Worth Your Time
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance delivers a fresh yet faithful experience that combines slick combat, challenging platforming, and gorgeous 2D visuals. While the game’s sprawling levels and metroidvania elements sometimes overstretch the pacing (with first-time levels taking about an hour each), the overall quality and depth make it a worthy addition to the series.
For fans craving a modern ninja adventure with roots in classic 16-bit action, this is the best Shinobi has been in decades. It might test your patience with its length and tough platforming, but the thrill of slicing through enemies and uncovering secrets makes every moment worthwhile.
“The combat system feels fantastic and never stops being exciting, even once you’ve mastered it.”
FAQ
- What platforms is Shinobi: Art of Vengeance available on?
The game was released on current-generation consoles and PC, embracing high-res 2D art to bring the ninja action to life. - How long does it take to complete the game?
Expect around 12 to 15 hours to fully beat the game and uncover most secrets, which is substantial for a Shinobi title. - Are there any notable cameos in the game?
Yes, characters like Ryo Hazuki from Shenmue and villains like Dr. Eggman make appearances, especially in bonus stages. - Does the game favor combat or platforming?
While combat is deep and engaging, some platforming stages are extremely challenging and require precise timing. - Can you replay levels to find missed items?
Absolutely! The game encourages exploration with abilities that unlock new paths in previously completed levels.
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