It’s been more years than I care to remember since I played SHINOBI, sitting on my friend’s floor eating junk food. Still, the legendary ninja Joe Musashi returns to action this summer. After spending time with SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance at Summer Game Fest, I’m happy to say that SEGA and developer Lizardcube have crafted something truly special. While it easily could have been a standard revival, the team behind this title has done much more, delivering a testament to what the series has meant to people in a modern 2D action game that respects its heritage while pushing the genre forward.
Set to launch later this year for PC via Steam, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch, SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance finds Joe returning to his village just as a force of evil attacks, reducing it to ash and turning his clan to stone. The demo showcased two distinct stages that highlighted the game’s impressive range, from intimate character moments to explosive action sequences—and above all, it was incredibly fun.
The opening level of SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance serves as both a tutorial and an emotional hook, introducing players to Joe’s role as head of the Oboro clan while he teaches a student named Tomoe. It gives a clear sense of why the battle is raging and what, as players, we are fighting for. This peaceful scene shatters when Lord Ruse and his paramilitary organization, ENE Corp, launch a brutal assault on the school. The transition from tranquil training to desperate combat feels organic, immediately establishing the stakes and Joe’s motivation.
Combat in SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance strikes an impressive balance between accessibility and depth, all while harkening back to the classic title many lost countless hours to. Joe’s move set includes light and heavy attacks, ninjutsu abilities, dashing, jumping and sophisticated techniques that unlock as players progress. While button-mashing can carry you through early encounters, trust me—it does not work the farther you get into the game. Mastering the rhythm of combat transforms Joe into a fluid instrument of destruction. Chained attacks flow seamlessly into precision dodges and elemental finishing moves that can clear entire screens of enemies.
“Combat in SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance strikes an impressive balance between accessibility and depth, all while harkening back to the classic title many lost countless hours to.”
The rechargeable elemental Ninpo system found in SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance adds tactical depth without overwhelming newcomers and offers a welcome splash to the already solid action. Fire wheel attacks and lightning-based counters triggered by perfect dodges create spectacular visual moments while rewarding skilful play. These abilities require strategic buildup and careful timing, making each use feel impactful rather than routine, and the burst of action helps convey just how powerful these techniques truly are.
Lizardcube, known for its work on Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap, brings its signature hand-drawn art style to life in every frame with stunning detail. The visual presentation draws inspiration from French comics and Japanese animation, creating a unique aesthetic that feels both familiar and fresh. Environmental variety is showcased throughout the demo, from military installations to the breathtaking Lantern Festival stage, complete with floating Japanese lanterns and fireworks painting the night sky.
“SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance combines traditional upgrade paths with Metroidvania-style exploration in its progression system.”
There is a lot at play within SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance, but it all feels vital to the overall experience and thoughtfully executed. Even the Shinobi Execution system adds depth to combat, making each decision feel meaningful and encouraging players to go beyond simply mashing buttons as they fight through waves of enemies. When enemies become staggered through sustained attacks, players can trigger stylish instant-kill animations that can be chained into devastating combo sequences. This system adds a tactical layer beyond basic button combinations, rewarding players who learn enemy patterns and timing.
SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance combines traditional upgrade paths with Metroidvania-style exploration in its progression system. Currency collected throughout levels can be spent on new moves, kunai upgrades and health improvements, while story progression unlocks the most powerful abilities. Early stages include progression blockers that require later upgrades to access, encouraging replay and thorough exploration.
The collaboration between SEGA and Lizardcube feels like a perfect match, breathing new life into the classic franchise while preserving the spirit of the original. As someone who lost countless hours to the original installment, I’m here for it. The developers approached the project with genuine reverence for the SHINOBI legacy, while also recognizing the need to modernize it for today’s audiences. This balance between honouring the past and embracing innovation permeates every aspect of the experience.
SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance represents exactly what franchise revivals should aspire to achieve. It captures the essence of what made the original games special while introducing modern mechanics that enhance, rather than complicate, the core experience. With its August 29 release date approaching, this stylish ninja adventure looks poised to remind players why the SHINOBI series earned its legendary status in the first place.
For fans of 2D action games, SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance appears to offer everything they could want: fluid combat, gorgeous visuals, meaningful progression, and that indefinable quality that separates good games from great ones. Now, we just need to wait for the full release to see if it can live up to the promise shown in the preview.
