Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Reviews
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is hard to fault. We can take or leave the story, the platforming is occasionally frustrating, and levels can outstay their welcome sometimes - but that's basically it. This is otherwise a brilliant 2D action platformer that looks gorgeous and plays even better thanks to kinetic, satisfying combat that feels superb when you get in the flow. If this is any indicator of SEGA's other upcoming franchise revivals, we're in for some good times ahead.
With its gorgeous hand drawn art and kinetic combat, Shinobi Art Of Vengeance is one of my favorite games of 2025, and one of the best 2D action-platformers in years.
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.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is very much a ‘what you see is what you get’ type of game, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The core experience is incredibly fun and the optional challenges can deliver a rush of adrenaline, even if they can feel a bit over-tuned. The biggest drawback is that once it’s over, you’ll wish there was more.
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.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Even with the additional depth that it brings to the Shinobi experience, this is a game that doesn’t let you forget that it’s about ninjas being chased around by fighter jets, surfing the high seas and jumping over mines, and being hunted by demonic skulls in the desert.
Overall, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a magnificent comeback for the legendary SEGA franchise. This new game is a wonderful love letter to the franchise, with a well-crafted Metroidvania twist. However, the lifespan is artificially inflated by limiting the player to the main story and adding unnecessarily frustrating phases. If you loved the original games or enjoy 2D action platformers with stunning artistic direction, we wholeheartedly recommend this sumptuous martial arts masterpiece.
Review in French | Read full review
Lizardcube succeeds in resurrecting the iconic Joe Musashi from the past, crafting a stylish and original video game that is also respectful of the roots of the Sega series: Art of Vengeance is a side-scrolling action game that rewards players who want to conclude each battle in the most spectacular way possible, offering a fast-paced and deep combat system that, unfortunately, isn't fully enhanced by the experience's decreasing difficulty curve.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Anyone familiar with the genre and a fan of action-packed side-scrollers/Metroidvanias should definitely check this one out. If you're still unsure, feel free to check out the demo available on all platforms.
Review in German | Read full review
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a wonderful return for the classic franchise, featuring fluid combat with tons of variety, as well as exciting boss encounters. While combat is definitely the highlight, its art design is a sight to behold and is undeniably one of the most stylish games of 2025. While its platforming needs a bit of fine-tuning, it isn't enough to hinder how much fun it is to combo the heck out of foes.
In Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, protagonist Joe Musashi speaks only in monosyllabic grunts. You could see it as a mark of disdain for all the years SEG...
Boasting an unparalleled art style, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is steeped in its classic roots but offers incredibly engaging modern touches. Peak combat and level design should keep players hooked the entire journey.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is an excellent 2D action platformer, and is a must play for fans of ninjas, action titles, or fans that want a great game for half price.
Shinobi Art of Vengeance is a fantastic start to Sega’s Next Level program, and one that’s easy to recommend. Priced at a budget-conscious $48 AUD and offering around 15 or so hours of gameplay, fans of the franchise or the likes of The Lost Crown will certainly dig this.
Channeling everything that made the classics great while enhancing with new mechanics, stunning visuals, and sublime controls, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is an incredible revival and stellar action side-scroller in its own right.
After waiting for decades, Shinobi and Joe Musashi have not just made a proper return, but are a shining example of what SEGA can do with its older titles, should it want to. It’s simply flawless, full of enjoyable combat, tricky sections, and plenty to keep ninja gaming fans happy from start to finish. Welcome back, Joe. We’ve missed you.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a thoroughly enjoyable and action-packed time that'll satiate both series veterans who've long been awaiting a return and newcomers who've always wanted to check the franchise out. With Lizardcube utilising the best parts of their game design DNA while truly understanding what it means to be a Shinobi game, they have crafted this retro-infused adventure that celebrates the old and embraces the new. With kickass challenging platforming, combat, boss fights and setpieces that'll take some mastering, meaningful progression that fits right into the series, and gorgeous, gorgeous sights that run the gamut on this shinobi-starring journey, Art of Vengeance is simply artful. It's a pinpoint precision strike to the gut of those after some good old-fashioned ninja action chaos.
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.
Lizardcube has perfected its craft of elevating retro games for the modern era. The gorgeous 2D graphics feel fresh yet oddly nostalgic, which is mirrored by the fast, fluid movement that feels like the natural progression for 2D platformers. Not everything is polished. Some parts of the level design, menus and UI don't live up to the heights of other aspects of the game, but this doesn't wholly retract from an experience that will delight 2D platforming fans new and old.
If you were once hooked on the SHINOBI series or enjoy challenging side-scrolling action games focused on combat and difficult platforming, SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance delivers a nostalgic thrill that's enough to overlook its rough design.
Review in Chinese | Read full review