After years of anticipation for a new 2D action platformer featuring ninjas, two have emerged within a month: Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound and Shinobi: Art of Vengeance. Both games successfully revive their respective franchises, yet they differ significantly. While Ragebound leans towards an old-school vibe, Art of Vengeance offers a modern twist, honoring traditional elements while adapting the series for today’s gaming landscape.
Developed by Lizardcube, known for revitalizing classic Sega titles, Art of Vengeance features a beautiful hand-drawn art style and complex combat mechanics. Players once again control Joe Musashi, the legendary ninja, who embarks on a quest for revenge after his village is attacked by the ENE Corp, led by the villainous Lord Ruse. Although the story provides more context than the original 1987 Shinobi, it remains simplistic and resembles the simplistic narrative structures seen in 90s video games.
Lizardcube’s aesthetic brings Art of Vengeance to life with vibrant visuals that combine European and Japanese artistic influences. The game draws parallels to beloved retro titles from the 90s while maintaining a contemporary feel. Players can expect stunning backgrounds, diverse environments, and a general appealing simplicity in its level design, ensuring every stage feels distinct.
The gameplay incorporates classic left-to-right movement but allows for exploration through branching paths and different objectives, enhancing player engagement. Joe Musashi’s progression is marked by an impressive range of movement abilities, from double jumps to wall climbs and powerful attacks. Players can unlock new abilities to revisit previous stages and discover hidden secrets, enriching replayability.
Combat is fluid and dynamic, featuring a mix of light and heavy attacks that allow players to string together combos creatively. Joe also possesses powerful Ninpo and Ninjutsu skills, further diversifying combat strategies. These abilities charge through combat engagement, adding a strategic layer to the action.
Stretching approximately eight hours, the campaign wraps up before becoming monotonous. However, completing the game unlocks additional content like boss rush and arcade modes, which enhance replayability and excitement.
In conclusion, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance stands out in the realm of 2D action platformers, showcasing fluid combat and beautiful artistry. This game successfully revives the Shinobi series and reintroduces Joe Musashi, offering a fresh and electrifying experience that marries nostalgia with modern game design elements.
