First Impressions - Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Delivers Fast-Paced Ninja Action with a Classic Soul
It’s a good time to be a fan of 2D action platformers. With Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound earning high praise and a full review on the way, and Shinobi: Art of Vengeance slicing its way into the conversation later this month, the genre is experiencing a genuine revival…and I am all for it!
From the same talented team that brought us Streets of Rage 4, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is shaping up to be a worthy continuation of the legacy Sega franchise. Returning once more as Joe Musashi, the legendary leader of the Oboro clan, players are thrust into a stylish, high-stakes battle against Lord Ruse - a new villain with a serious demonic streak. His private army of supernatural mercenaries, the ENE Corp, is wreaking havoc across the globe, and Musashi stands as the last line of defense between their chaotic rise and the rest of the world.
Of course, Ruse doesn’t wait for the fight to come to him. The opening level, Oboro Village, featured in the playable demo, shows us exactly what’s at stake. Ruse’s minions lay waste to your home, murder your students, and leave nothing but smoldering ruins. What follows is a ninja’s journey of pure vengeance, armed with a sword, a stack of kunai, and a growing arsenal of ninjutsu-based abilities.
I spent about 30 minutes (well, 40 if you count the time I spent stubbornly trying to clear a devilish optional platforming segment) with the demo, and walked away fully convinced: Shinobi is back, and it means business.
Where Art of Vengeance really shines is in its gameplay loop. The action is kinetic, responsive, and incredibly satisfying. Joe moves like a proper ninja: swift, deadly, and precise. You’ve got your double jump, air dash, short wall-run, and a crisp slash combo system that rewards aggressive play. Add to that a fluid stance-switching system that allows you to activate powerful ninpo techniques (like fire breath and air-slashes), and you've got a deceptively deep combat experience.
I’ll admit I occasionally fumbled remembering which combination triggered which ninpo ability, but that’s on me more than the game. The controls feel intuitive overall, and I was impressed by how seamlessly the stance-based actions fit into the broader gameplay. There’s a real flow to how you move between attacks, dodges, and magical abilities that kept me fully engaged.
Unlike some of this year’s narrative-heavy epics - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Death Stranding 2 come to mind - Shinobi embraces the value of focused, arcade-style design. It’s fast, insanely replayable, and hopelessly addictive. The first stage alone teases a world rich with side challenges, like eliminating elite ENE Corp squads or uncovering hidden rooms filled with treasures. Completionists are going to love chasing down perfect runs and high scores.
Aesthetically, Art of Vengeance does a stellar job modernizing the series without losing its roots. The sprite work and animation are gorgeous, and the stage design pops with color and detail. Combine that with a soundtrack that nods heavily to the classic Sega originals - complete with driving percussion and catchy melodies - and you’ve got an audiovisual package that truly honors Shinobi’s legacy.
With a full release set for August 29 and the demo available now, I strongly encourage platformer fans (or anyone craving a good old-fashioned revenge story) to give it a try. Whether you’re here for the twitchy combat, the sleek visuals, or the ninja aesthetic, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is looking like a must-play. If this demo is any indication, Joe Musashi’s return might just be one of the genre highlights of the year.
