Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Review – Fast, Fluid, and Fiercely Fun

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Review

After the resounding success of Streets of Rage 4, Sega has once again enlisted the talented team at Lizardcube to spearhead its revival of iconic franchises. Starting with Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, their goal is to capture the series’ essence while updating it for a new generation. But will they strike the perfect balance between nostalgic homage and bold reinvention, to create an adventure worthy of both veteran ninjas and first-time recruits?

As the legendary ninja Joe Musashi, leader of the Oboro clan, you’re respected throughout society and serve as a mentor to those hoping to follow in your footsteps. When Ruse, the ruthless head of ENE Corp, sets his sights on global domination, your village becomes his next target. Your goal is to protect its people and drive back the full-scale attack. But after learning that many of your clan were killed during the assault, your mission becomes one of vengeance. You must now hunt every member of Ruse’s rogue’s gallery and deliver deadly justice. While the narrative is conventional, it serves as a suitable premise for the high-intensity, fast-paced action that dominates the gameplay.

A Perfect Slice

Combat sits at the core of the adventure, and it’s executed with precision. With light and heavy attacks, you can unleash visceral combos that cut through multiple enemies in an instant. As you progress, new manoeuvres expand your arsenal, keeping battles fresh. Lizardcube has built a system that’s both accessible and deep, rewarding players who master its nuances. There’s a satisfying rhythm to the flow of combat, making it a joy to dart from one opponent to the next.

While the katana is central to your offensive output, you also have other methods to eliminate foes. From range, you can pick off opponents by launching your kunai, a helpful tool when trying to manage the crowd. Landing combos fill your Ninpo gauge, which allows you to hit a special attack. These vary; some deliver a strong strike, whereas others shield and parry incoming attacks. Taking advantage of these is vital, requiring you to consider where and when you initiate these attacks.

Chipping away at an enemy’s armour eventually triggers glowing Kanji above their heads, signalling the chance to finish them in one swift motion. Not only does this look stylish, but it also rewards you with useful items to aid your mission. The flashiest visuals come from your Karyu specials, powerful techniques unleashed when your meter is full. These can devastate the entire screen, restore your health, or grant other large-scale advantages. Presentation plays a key role, with dramatic flourishes like bold title cards introducing each boss fight and other cinematic touches woven throughout.

Die By The Sword

Boss fights are intense and demanding, testing both your offensive prowess and defensive reflexes. Success depends on well-timed rolls, carefully executed combos, and knowing when to retreat. Equipping amulets provides valuable bonuses that can tip the scales in tougher encounters. Each battle is expertly designed, with bespoke patterns and memorable set pieces. Enemy attacks are diverse, forcing you to read their movements, respond quickly, and counter with precision.

Traversing the environment is a breeze due to the tight and responsive controls. You can double jump, dash and later on, climb walls, grapple and more. As you unlock new abilities throughout, you’re able to revisit early levels and discover areas that weren’t accessible before. While Shinobi: Art of Vengeance isn’t a Metroidvania, it does have plenty of paths for you to explore and discover the secrets within. Hidden challenges dotted throughout place you against multiple enemies, testing your skills and rewarding you with items that improve your arsenal. With completion percentage at the end of each level, there’s plenty of reason to revisit stages.

Bold and Beautiful

The comic-book style visuals and fluid animation create a truly remarkable aesthetic that towers over most adventures in the genre. Its use of foreground and background creates a level of depth that makes each area feel alive and dynamic. Backing each stride is a wonderful soundtrack that feels like a genuine evolution of the incredible music of the originals. Together, they combine to create a truly inspiring experience that lingers long after you put the controller down.

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.

***PS5 code provided by the publisher***