Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound [Review] A Crisp, Compact Return to Form
Ninja Gaiden has always been synonymous with tight controls, punishing difficulty, and a flair for the dramatic, and Ragebound proudly carries that torch into the 2D action platformer revival we’ve been seeing lately. In an era where games are often bloated with content, Ragebound delivers a lean, focused experience that can be completed in under ten hours - provided you’re not chasing S-ranks, of course.
From the first stage, it’s clear that gameplay is king here. The controls are crisp and responsive, making each jump, slash, and evasive maneuver feel precise. The guillotine kick/jump in particular isn’t just a flashy attack - it doubles as a traversal tool, adding vertical and lateral mobility that feels both intuitive and satisfying. Difficulty is well-balanced, rarely feeling unfair. Sure, there are moments that can seem overly punishing, but more often than not, those failures trace back to player error rather than bad design.
Boss encounters stand out as the highlight of the enemy roster. Each one offers unique mechanics and a rhythm that rewards patience and adaptation. It’s a shame that the standard enemies and stages between these fights don’t reach the same level of variety or challenge, as they can feel a bit one-note in comparison.
Visually, Ragebound pops with a vibrant aesthetic that captures the retro spirit while taking advantage of modern pixel art techniques. The soundtrack is equally impressive, pairing fast-paced action with memorable melodies that stick long after you’ve turned the console off. For those who want more out of their runs, the stage rank system is an excellent hook for replayability, though players who skip this chase may find the experience over too soon.
Not every element hits as hard as the combat. The upgrade system feels underdeveloped, with talismans that fail to significantly change your approach. Likewise, the story, while perfectly serviceable for the genre, never rises above basic narrative beats - though for a retro throwback like this, that’s hardly unexpected.
Still, in a month already packed with strong 2D action releases, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound stands tall. It’s a fun, tightly designed platformer that respects your time and delivers a satisfying challenge without bloating the experience. As someone excited for the upcoming Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, Ragebound has been the perfect appetizer - a reminder of just how exhilarating quick-hit titles can be in a gaming climate obsessed with 60+ hour epics.
In short - for a polished, nostalgic slice of ninja action, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is well worth your time.
