Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Reviews
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a genuinely engaging 2D action platformer that’s beautiful to behold and even better to play
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a solid 2D action platformer with a few shortcomings that keep it from reaching its full potential.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a home run on the first pitch. It’s one of the most gorgeous, creative, and satisfying games of 2025 and has effortlessly clawed its way to becoming my frontrunner for Game of the Year.
I've found myself pretty dejected over just how little the levels capitalize on the strength of the basic action
This is Lizardcube’s finest work to date, and it further excites me for the rest of the dormant-franchise revivals Sega has planned. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance should serve as a blueprint for delivering a retro-facing experience of an absentee franchise while still leveraging modern technology and game design conventions.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance revitalizes a classic by combining excellent combat and platforming with a gorgeous art style, reaching new heights for the long-dormant series.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a fantastic experience from start to finish and a brilliant comeback for the classic franchise.
A successful relaunch of the Shinobi franchise that doesn’t attempt to do anything startlingly new but instead makes do with being a very well-constructed action adventure.
Joe Musashi re-emerges from the shadows to reclaim his title as a shinobi master with a smash-hit game that combines the depth and speed of modern hack-and-slash gameplay with the progression and arcade structure of classic titles. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is one of the best 2D action games of 2025.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is the game that a legend like Joe Musashi deserves. Fast, frenetic and utterly absorbing, this is how you bring a long-dead series back to life. Lizardcube have set a new benchmark in 2D platforming and in the process have me salivating at the prospect of Sega franchises they could tackle next.
While I can't speak for this game in comparison to its 16-bit heyday, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a thrill that stands on its own. It's a total master class in combat depth, level design, and story moments that leave enough to the imagination without completely halting the action.
Art of Vengeance is a title capable of redefining what a 2D action platformer can offer today. Lizardcube succeeds once again, blending technique, style, and pacing with a mastery that captivates both longtime nostalgics and those approaching the Oboro Clan for the first time.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Sure, the story is somewhat straightforward and there could be a touch more underling enemies to fight, but this in no way detracts from Lizardcube’s second successful revival of a classic Sega arcade series, one that takes the merits of the past and updates them to create an immensely tight modern 2D action-platformer.
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.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is one of the best games of the year. There's no doubt about it. Lizardcube are geniuses, and they've proven that any SEGA franchise has the potential to make a spectacular comeback, as long as it's in their hands. So, the only question remains: when will they give Golden Axe the same treatment?
Review in Spanish | Read full review
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.