NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound Reviews
Ragebound is tough to complete and even harder to master, but it’s hardest to put down. It’s demanding with little frustration, engaging with few lulls, and ultimately, a reminder that while Ryu’s modern-day adventures can be great, there’s still Ki to be found in Ninja Gaiden’s original dimensions.
Ragebound is a relentless and challenging revival that ably channels the spirit of early Ninja Gaiden games.
The Game Kitchen's excellent retro revival preserves the swift action of its NES predecessors while leaving their rage-inducing elements behind
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound brings a stylish new entry to the classic franchise owned by Koei Tecmo.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is the kind of game that makes you want improve. Chaining death with balletic grace feels so liberating that you don't want to be interrupted in your flow. The way it implements all of its mechanics, along with increasingly interesting, beautiful, and ever-taut stage design, is a treat, and a truly linear arcade-style DLC would be a blessing should one ever transpire. While some Talismans can be purchased to actually make the game harder, the base challenge will certainly test you. It's a real shame about that frame-rate judder, but in terms of seductive 2D Ninja action, it lands squarely on catlike feet. SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance, you have been challenged to a duel.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a little uneven at times, particularly in the second half of the game, but it's still an enjoyable side-scroller.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a perfect entry in the series that makes for a great entry point and a standout experience in its own right. Smooth controls, fantastic level design and some perfectly judged boss battles make for one of the best 2D action-platformers you'll find. With the extra layer of replaying levels for better ranks and the unlockable hard mode for the bravest ninjas, Ragebound provides plenty of enjoyment and challenge for those who want it, while also being approachable for newcomers.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound achieves something extraordinarily difficult: completely honoring a classic legacy while creating something that feels completely contemporary. The Game Kitchen has demonstrated that their experience with Blasphemous translates perfectly to established franchises, creating an experience that satisfies both purists and new fans. This is not simply a good Ninja Gaiden game; it's a statement that classic franchises can evolve without losing their identity. It's the demonstration that 2D and modern are not contradictory terms, and that intelligent nostalgia can coexist with genuine innovation.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
The Game Kitchen shows its love for the golden age of 16-bit action with an irresistible game, boasting fabulous design and pace.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound brings the series back to its roots with incredible style. The core gameplay feels fantastic, with satisfying, fast-paced combat and platforming that'll put your skills to the test. With a wealth of challenges to meet and things to find, there's a real richness to each level that gives it plenty of replay value. The wonderful art style is the icing on the cake, and aside from one or two small nitpicks, fans should be very pleased with this throwback adventure.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a love letter to 2D action platform games, fusing arcade heritage with modern solutions and a kick-ass mise-en-scene. Short but dense, the game manages to impress with inspired design gimmicks, fiery direction and two protagonists perfectly integrated into the gameplay. The challenge is not brutal at first, but those who want to go further will find bread (and katanas) for their teeth. A return in style for a legendary saga - and a damn promising taster in anticipation of the real Ninja Gaiden.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The result is a near-perfect concoction that makes roleplaying a ninja not only something to be enjoyed in the moment, but also something not afraid to test these skills by offering up a decent challenge.
Ninja Garden: Ragebound is the perfect return to the franchise’s 2D roots. Each area, encounter, and boss fight is meticulously crafted to challenge players while letting them fully embrace the fantasy of being a ninja.
The excellent momentum of the initial episodes is unfortunately lost in a repetitiveness caused by a lack of variation, while the few missions available leave the title's longevity dependent on the individual player's desire to obtain the highest ratings in each mission.
Review in Italian | Read full review
It's a must-have game in the Xbox catalog, a gem that proves that past and present can come together to provide a fresh and unique experience. It's fast, lethal, and, without a doubt, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a firm and worthy step for a series that deserves it all .
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is an adrenaline-pumping action platformer with killer pixel art and fast-paced gameplay. Levels are challenging -- especially in hard mode -- and bosses are not to be underestimated. Stages feel dynamic and always have something new to offer, so I was hooked from start to finish.
At the start of Ninja Gaiden (1989), two men stood in a field under a full moon. This being a game on the Nintendo Entertainment System, with its bou...
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound features 18 main stages and eight secret ops, or challenge levels, with the game taking around 9-10 hours to complete.
Paying homage to the classics while simultaneously serving as a breath of fresh air, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound masterfully builds on the side-scrolling format of the older titles while adding its own twists.
Ninja Gaiden Ragebound is a fun, action-packed homage to the classic series that blends retro charm with a few modern twists. While it doesn’t reinvent the formula, it delivers a solid experience that longtime fans will appreciate and newcomers can still enjoy; punishing difficulty, with a bit of cheapness and all.