The Ninja Gaiden franchise began nearly 40 years ago on the original Nintendo console. Back then, the gameplay was side-scrolling, battling enemies as you moved left or right. Ninja Gaiden Ragebound is the latest installment in the series and marks a return to those roots, moving away from the modern 3D versions.
In Ragebound, you play as Kenji Mozu, a ninja from the Hayabusa Clan tasked with protecting the village while Ryu Hayabusa is away on a mission. You’ll also control Kumori, a shinobi from the rival Spider Clan. While both characters share the same control scheme, Kumori focuses on ranged attacks, while Kenji excels in close combat with his katana.
Throughout the campaign, you’ll unlock new weapons and abilities after each mission, but to do so, you’ll need to collect hidden artifacts scattered throughout the game. In some cases, you’ll have to replay missions multiple times to acquire a necessary skill for progressing the story.
The narrative follows both characters through a journey of betrayal, growth, and unexpected acceptance, as they share the same physical body while their souls clash internally. While not an entirely original concept, its execution makes the dynamic compelling.
Combat is fast-paced, with a constant mix of enemy types and scenarios. Some enemies are strategically placed so you can use them as tools to reach otherwise inaccessible areas. The difficulty is well-balanced: standard demons can be taken down in a single hit, while bosses require strategy and patience. There are also enemies that seem immortal at first until you discover the special ability that breaks through their defenses.
Not everything works in its favor. The level design feels repetitive, with only the visuals changing between stages. Graphically, the game isn’t particularly impressive, aside from a few standout animations. Combined with a short runtime of around 6 hours and little incentive to return aside from beating your personal record or trying a higher difficulty this hurts the game’s overall longevity.
Ninja Gaiden Ragebound is a highly entertaining game with addictive combat that successfully brings the franchise’s roots into a modern format. However, its flaws many of which are common in the genre hold it back from becoming something truly memorable. Games like Strider show just how far a title like this could have gone.
Final Score: 3/5
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