Shinobi Art of Vengeance isn’t just a nostalgic throwback—it’s a masterclass in modern action platformer design that honors the classic Shinobi legacy while introducing innovative mechanics that feel fresh and exciting. After extensive playtime, we can confidently say this is one of 2025’s standout releases that every action game enthusiast needs to experience.
Table of Contents
Shinobi Art of Vengeance: Game Overview & Specs
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | SEGA & Lizardcube |
| Publisher | SEGA |
| Release Date | August 29, 2025 |
| Platforms | PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC |
| Genre | Action Platformer/Metroidvania |
| Protagonist | Joe Musashi (Oboro Clan) |
| Main Antagonist | Lord Ruse |
| Visual Style | Modern 2.5D with classic aesthetics |
| Performance | Flawless on PC (reviewed platform) |
| Our Score | Masterpiece-tier |
What Makes This Shinobi Special?
Shinobi Art of Vengeance is part classic action platformer, but also has some very serious Metroidvania roots to it. This hybrid approach creates a gameplay experience that’s both accessible to newcomers and deeply rewarding for completionists.
You can rush through stages if you prefer linear progression, but the real magic happens when you embrace the exploration elements. You’ll miss out on amazing skills, cool costumes, including one inspired by Sonic the Hedgehog, health and kunai boosts, and so much more if you don’t take time to thoroughly explore each environment.
The variety is staggering—from riding around on his gigantic dog, surfing across the seas, or climbing up mountains, every stage offers something unique that keeps the experience fresh throughout the campaign.
Combat System: Where Excellence Meets Innovation
The combat in Shinobi Art of Vengeance truly shines with its fluid combo system and responsive controls. Joe Musashi has a basic sword attack, and a heavy attack, and you can combo these together, alongside your kunai toss, but this barely scratches the surface.
Combat Highlights:
- Cancel System: You can dive kick in, hit the heavy combo follow-up when you’ve unlocked it at the Shop, cancel into an air dash, and start attacking again from the other side before ever hitting the ground
- Execute Mechanics: Build pressure on enemies to trigger devastating finishing moves
- Flexible Combos: Combos in Shinobi Art of Vengeance are whatever you want them to be! It’s a pretty flexible system
- Ninpo & Ninjutsu: Powerful special abilities that add strategic depth
The only minor complaint is the inconsistent invulnerability frames during dodging, but this doesn’t significantly impact the overall excellent combat experience.
Movement & Level Design: Platforming Perfection
Movement in Shinobi Art of Vengeance feels phenomenal. Beyond basic running and jumping, Joe has access to double jumps, air dashes, wall climbing, gliding, and grappling hooks that create incredibly dynamic traversal possibilities.
This leads to some of the most bonkers, hair-pulling movement puzzles I’ve seen in years, but importantly, they are all fair and completable. It just depends on how well you know the game’s mechanics.
The level design brilliantly balances main path accessibility with optional challenges that reward skilled players with meaningful upgrades and collectibles.
Visual & Audio Excellence
Each stage delivers a unique aesthetic experience. The Fish Market was dingy, filled with huge crates that were being moved around, alongside awesome neon signs that advertised their wares, while The ENE Corp Laboratory looked like an Evil Scientist Laboratory should, except with a few unorthodox surprises.
Technical Performance:
- PC Performance: No lag, no slowdown, no glitches or bugs for my entire time playing the game
- Visual Quality: Stunning 2.5D graphics with fluid animations
- Audio Design: The Kunai throws sound great, as do the satisfying crunches of breaking an enemy’s guard
Boss Battles: Unpredictable and Engaging
Unlike traditional pattern-based boss fights, Shinobi Art of Vengeance takes a refreshing approach. The bosses, while they have specific attacks, really didn’t seem to have patterns… from one attempt to the next, the variations in what they did were pretty serious.
This unpredictability keeps encounters fresh and prevents battles from becoming memorization exercises, though some may find the bosses slightly easier than expected.
Why This Matters for Gaming in 2025
For action game enthusiasts and platformer fans, Shinobi Art of Vengeance represents everything done right in modern game development. It respects its legacy while innovating fearlessly.
Lizardcube did fantastic work on putting this game together, creating what might be an action-platformer masterpiece. Every attack, every movement matters.
The game successfully bridges the gap between classic arcade sensibilities and modern design philosophy, creating an experience that feels both nostalgic and contemporary.
Final Verdict: Must-Play Masterpiece
I haven’t felt this good about an action platformer in such a long time. Shinobi Art of Vengeance delivers on every front—combat, exploration, visuals, audio, and most importantly, pure fun.
Whether you’re a longtime Shinobi fan or someone discovering the series for the first time, this game offers an exceptional experience that showcases why action platformers remain one of gaming’s most enduring genres.
Who Should Play: Anyone who enjoys challenging action games, Metroidvania exploration, or simply wants to experience one of 2025’s finest gaming achievements.
Bottom Line: If you’re a fan of Shinobi, or classic action platformers, this is not a game you want to pass on.
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Sources: Official SEGA | Steam Store | Nintendo eShop
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Shinobi Art of Vengeance suitable for newcomers to the series?
A: Absolutely! While longtime fans will appreciate the numerous references and familiar gameplay elements, the game is designed to be accessible to newcomers. The fluid combat system and excellent tutorials make it easy to learn, while the optional exploration elements provide depth for those who want more challenge.
Q: How long does it take to complete Shinobi Art of Vengeance?
A: The main campaign can be completed in 8-12 hours, but completionists looking to find all secrets, costumes (including the Sonic-inspired outfit), and master all the challenging movement puzzles should expect 20-25 hours of gameplay. The Metroidvania elements encourage multiple revisits to stages with new abilities.
