Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Reviews
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a perfectly prepared omakase menu: the individual ingredients are not revolutionary, but the presentation and game design make it something special. The story may be trivial, but when the gameplay is so satisfying and the visuals so impressive, I am happy to forgive the game for its narrative failure. Lizardcube proves once again that they understand what retro revivals are really about: not nostalgic romanticization or cheap exploitation of brand rights, but distilling the essence of the original and spicing it up with a modern polish.
Review in German | Read full review
SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance is a wonderful revival to the Shinobi series, welcoming both fans and newbies alike with its stunning visuals complemented by adrenaline-pumping and engaging action-platforming gameplay. It does have its slight weaknesses, such as its servicable narrative and finicky hitboxes, yet it doesn't entirely derail the experience from being enjoyable and immersive.
SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance delivers exactly what you would expect from a modern ninja action game. The battles are fast, fluid and really satisfying, the Metroidvania elements provide variety and additional motivation, and the platforming passages bring crisp challenges to the game.
Review in German | Read full review
The game blends a linear stage structure with Metroidvania-inspired design, adding value to both replayability and exploration. Its sharp action and striking artistic direction create gameplay so engaging that players may not even notice the underlying structure. More than just the revival of the Shinobi franchise, it firmly establishes itself as a game that is simply, and purely, fun.
Review in Korean | Read full review
It should always be lauded when a classic series is brought back in peak form, and Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is an ideal representation of that notion. Between masterfully woven 2D platforming and action combat that leverages the extraordinary movement in place, alongside commendable optional challenges, there's no shortage of meticulous quality for platforming enthusiasts to appreciate. If Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is indicative of the caliber we can anticipate from Sega's incoming classic revivals, then I believe it's fair to say that we're in more than good hands.
Even though the “art” may be stronger than the “vengeance” in Art of Vengeance, they still come together to form an experience that’s still plenty sharp.
This is what a franchise revival should look like. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance honors its heritage while confidently establishing its own identity in the modern gaming landscape. It is a masterful blend of style and substance that feels both familiar and new.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is everything a series revival should be: faithful to its roots, but unafraid to evolve in absolute style. The team at Lizardcube has crafted a razor-sharp action platformer that thrives on its fluid combat, smart level design, and stylish presentation, all whilst giving players reasons to keep coming back after the credits roll. The story may be light and a few encounters can frustrate, but none of that overshadows just how exhilarating the experience is from start to finish. Joe Musashi is back, and he’s better than ever, with Shinobi: Art of Vengeance one of SEGA’s finest revivals to date.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance not only features incredible gameplay mechanics and an exciting storyline but also boasts some of the finest hand-drawn visuals I've ever encountered in a game.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance brings Joe Musashi back with fast combat, smooth platforming, and a sharp visual style. The story keeps things light but still adds personality, thanks to Joe’s silence and the over-the-top villains. Extra modes like boss rush and challenge stages give you plenty to do once the credits roll. A few small hiccups don’t change the fact that this is one of Sega’s best revivals in years.
If you can get over the fact that it doesn’t play EXACTLY like its past games but can appreciate the steps in direction the game has taken to play like both a retro and modern game in 2025, you might find a candidate for Game of the Year.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance manages to balance tradition and novelty in a convincing way. Joe Musashi's tale of revenge sets the tone for an intense journey, where agile combat and special techniques come together with well-designed levels full of secrets. The pace of the action, boss fights, and the hand-painted visual style are the standout elements, keeping the essence of the series alive while embracing modern ideas. Although it repeats enemies and stretches some stages longer than necessary, the game compensates with a variety of situations, extra modes, and a deep combat system. In the end, it's an experience that honors the Shinobi legacy and shows there’s still room for classic ninjas in today’s gaming landscape.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Shinobi: Art of Vegeance becomes yet another classic game that has been exceptionally well recreated. I had no doubts that Lizardcube would do great work, given their success with Streets of Rage 4. It retains what made the original games so memorable and becomes a well-polished experience. It’s visually stunning, combat is super satisfying, and the story is well told. There is plenty of bang for your buck here as well, depending on how much you want from the game. If you want to achieve everything on offer, then you’re easily going to push 30-40 hours of gameplay. But if you’re just after ticking through the levels and seeing out the story, then you’ll still have a reasonable 15-20 hours. They say it’s all about quality instead of quantity, but here you get both with a big green tick. This is a beautiful game and will be one of my most memorable of 2025 for sure. A must buy!
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is the ultimate 2D ninja experience and one of the best action platformer experiences of recent memory due to its impactful combat with ample customization options and an unforgettable art style.
SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance is a fantastic first game for SEGA’s reboots. The action platforming sports solid movement mechanics, and very enjoyable combat and combo systems. The medallion and Ninpo can sometimes feel unnecessary, but there’s still some motivation to explore these due to new attacks for your moveset needing to be purchased at the store. The story does a good job setting the stage, and the artwork is just awesome to see. It also runs wonderfully on the Steam Deck. The best way to play will be at 60 FPS, but nothing else is needed otherwise. It’s a great game through and through, and one worth adding to your portable libraries.
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.