Shinobi: Art of Vengeance shows exactly how to properly revive a franchise and bring it back to stardom. This title manages to innovate within a genre that, for years, has delivered rather modest gameplay.
At its core, the game follows the classic side-scroller concept, where you move to the right battling enemies and clearing platforming sections. However, here the formula has been reinvented with Metroidvania elements. Throughout the adventure, you’ll encounter locked areas that can only be accessed once you’ve acquired specific abilities, encouraging backtracking either through statues or by moving back to the left. On top of that, the level design features a map with multiple branching paths, similar to other genre heavyweights.
The combat is fast-paced, addictive, and constantly evolving. Across roughly 20 hours of gameplay, you’ll discover special abilities, new weapons, and upgrades that unlock fluid, spectacular combos leaving you stunned by what you just pulled off. Ninpō act as elemental super abilities with devastating impact, while Ninjutsu allow you to dismember enemies in the blink of an eye.
All of this gameplay is enhanced by hand-drawn animations that make the game look absolutely stunning. There’s no pixel art or retro-inspired visuals here what you’ll see is living, breathing artwork throughout. The level designs are varied, intriguing, and clearly crafted with great passion.
The narrative also starts strong: a group of enemies attacks a ninja village, slaughtering its inhabitants. Only Joe Musashi survives, swearing vengeance and taking the fight to extraordinary levels. The story includes moments so intense and over the top that you’ll hardly believe what you’re seeing on screen.
Beyond the main campaign, the game features two additional modes. The first is Boss Rush, where you face every boss one after another. The second is Arcade Mode, which splits the stages into segments and adds timed and scoring challenges, boosting replayability even further.
In short, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance perfects the side-scroller formula by blending it with mechanics from other genres, while delivering an intriguing story, solid voice acting, and phenomenal visuals. The result is a fresh and unforgettable experience in a legendary franchise.
Final Score: 5/5
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