Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Reviews
The visuals and music are fantastic, the combat stellar and invigorating, and the platforming and exploration elements are masterfully done. Plus, you'll get access to Boss Rush and Arcade Mode upon clearing the game, adding even more replayability to a modern masterpiece. This revival hits all the marks with glittering, sharp kunai - what more can you ask for?
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a remarkable 2D action game. For $30, it provides substance and fun, and Lizardcube escalates difficulty just enough to make finishing a level satisfying. If you're rebooting a 2D action franchise to appeal to fans of its older games, Art of Vengeance is a perfect example of how to do it.
I can’t remember the last time I had as much fun with this sort of game as I did with Shinobi Art of Vengeance, and for fans of 2D action games, it is a must-play. Fans of ninjas continue to feast.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a 10 when it comes to combat and visuals. Incredible replayability, a decent story, and a good soundtrack are let down by frustratingly imprecise platforming. Still, the other parts are so strong that I can easily recommend this game to damned near anyone.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance features exceptional combat, compelling exploration and gorgeous visuals, and I couldn't recommend it more.
With "Shinobi: Art of Vengeance," Lizardcube has created an excellent 2D action-platformer with a great combat system and cool platforming, featuring some pretty tough scenes at times but ultimately always remaining fair.
Review in German | Read full review
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a fully reimagined tribute to a beloved classic. With its stunning visuals, satisfying combat, smooth controls, and thoughtful modern QoL features, it’s the complete package and might end up being one of my favorite games of the year.
SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance isn’t just a game; it’s a journey that reaches back to the golden age of gaming and pulls you in with a stunning, modern grip and is a confident return for the franchise.
So much love and attention to detail were put into Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, which, honestly, given Lizardcube did do Street of Rage 4, I shouldn’t be surprised by. But I am, and I’m thoroughly impressed by what the studio has created here. A game that pays homage to its legacy, while evolving it in every meaningful way. It’s a true love letter to the fans, capturing the spirit of the franchise in a new, modern tale that’s both faithful and perfect for newcomers to discover the legend of Joe Musashi.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a masterclass is how to properly reboot a dormant gaming IP, as it honors the tenets of the iconic series, but decisively plants a flag as the new identity for the franchise moving forward. Shinobi Art of Vengeance is freight train of excellence with zero filler. The controls are precise, visuals are stunning, pacing is perfect, balance is fine tuned, soundtrack is great and best of all, it didnt need to change its identity as success was within all along. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a fantastic return to form, as it will easily be the best Ninja game of the year, possibly the best 2D platformer of the year, and makes a strong case to be a game of the year candidate.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is truly fantastic, and the type of game I had wished Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound had been. It hits all the right beats for the genre, and its combat progression keeps Joe Musashi powerful without feeling unstoppable, due to some fantastic work with its roster of enemies and bosses. As Shinobi is the first step in Sega’s big ‘Power Surge Program’, it hopefully stands as a testament of the quality to come.
Like Streets Of Rage 4 before it, Lizardcube have taken a beloved classic and made it their own. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a triumphant return of a classic.
Any other year, and SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance could have easily been considered as a Game of the Year contender. It's that good. From the stunning visuals to its fast-paced combo-based gameplay, the game is pure bliss and such an audiovisual treat from start to finish. It understands what makes action platformers great and executes its vision with style and precision. Despite its short runtime of about 10 hours, there's enough replayability to keep players coming back. From optional collectibles to combat and platforming challenges, all of these work toward improving Joe as he becomes a force to be reckoned with. The game can be tough, and while some challenges can be frustrating, they never seem so unfair that they feel out of reach.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance excels with its combat system, level design, and visual art. It's packed with exciting moments, and while it suffers from a slight personality crisis due to some ill-fitting Metroidvania-esque elements and some performance issues (at least in PS5), it's well worth a try for fans of 2D action platformers.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
If you’re a fan of action-platformers, this one is a no-brainer. SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance shines in its visual presentation, showcasing incredible style and attention to detail. Combat is a standout, allowing you to feel like a master Shinobi as you bounce from foe to foe, unleashing your arsenal of attacks.
Art of Vengeance is a triumphant return for the series. Leveling up the formula with excellent traversal and combat. Its richly layered, hand-drawn backgrounds are as inviting as they are detailed. Lizardcube has modernized the series while honoring its 1987 roots, forging a fresh path for Joe Musashi that respects the lessons and legacy of their peers and predecessors. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is sharp, fluid, and pure, and a perfect blend of nostalgia and modern design.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is not just the return of a classic franchise. It’s an example of how to bring an icon from the past into the present, without losing its identity and without being afraid to take risks. It’s a challenging, beautiful, addictive, and heartfelt game. For veterans, it’s a gift. For newcomers, it’s a gateway to the magic that Shinobi has always represented. No exaggeration: this is already, for me, the best game of the year.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Like a ninja, Shinobi: Act of Vengeance sneakily delivers one of this year's best 2D action games. It smartly and stealthily showcases its brutal and spectacular mechanics that consistently up the stakes. While the story is the weakest aspect, the stylish action shows how promising 2D action games can be today.
SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance looks to revive the long-dormant Shinobi series after an almost fifteen-year hiatus. Developer Lizardcube brings Joe Musashi back into the limelight in one of the most stunning-looking games of the year, which is sure to make longtime fans of the series happy. Although there are a few stumbles along the way and design choices that I wish had been ironed out more, SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance is a great game that will hopefully kickstart this series back to life and work as a building block for future titles to come.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a fantastic action game with remarkable depth, built on long combo chains, the tactful use of Kunai, and a wide range of Ninpo skills that offer strategic value during combat. LizardCube has expanded the series in scope, delivering the longest Shinobi game yet, with extensive exploration and challenging platforming woven into the experience. The art direction and animation quality stand well above most contemporaries, though the generic story and thin characterization hold it back.