SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance Review – Gorgeous Combat, Occasional Janky Platforming
I played SEGA & Lizardcube's hand-drawn return to Shinobi: razor-sharp combos, a gorgeous inked aesthetic and a Metroidvania-lite map — but the late-game platforming and some iffy hitboxes keep it from being perfect.
SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance brings Joe Musashi back in a slick 2D action platformer by the Streets of Rage 4 art team. If you love combo-driven combat and hand-drawn visuals, this one will pull you in—just be ready for some punishing platforming later on.
The core loop is pure action: dash, slash, juggle and use Ninpo to tear through enemy groups. Combat feels snappy and satisfying — the execution system and unlockable combos let you flow into air and ground strings that genuinely click. Levels are stage-based with Metroidvania-lite touches: new abilities open previously locked paths and the map marks purple areas for secrets, which makes revisiting painless. There are over a dozen visually distinct stages, rifts with optional challenge rooms, an arcade mode and boss rush for replayability. The hand-drawn backgrounds and animation are the game's star — often arresting and full of detail. Downsides show up in later levels: some platforming rooms lean on insta-death traps, awkward auto-climb behavior and inconsistent hitboxes that can turn a satisfying run into a test of patience. Boss design is hit-and-miss — several encounters are excellent, others feel padded or too easy. The Digital Deluxe edition bundles the Starter Pack, artbook, soundtrack and a SEGA Villains Stage DLC, which is a nice extra for fans. Overall it’s a combat-first action platformer with strong style and a few mechanical rough edges.
SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance is a stylish, combat-first 2D action game with gorgeous art and a handful of frustrating platforming moments. Buy it for the fights and visuals; wait for a sale if you're sensitive to janky platforming or want perfect pacing.
Pros
- Combat that clicks — fluid combos, excellent feedback and execution mechanics.
- Stunning hand-drawn art and animations; every stage is a visual treat.
- Metroidvania-lite exploration and useful QoL map/fast travel make backtracking painless.
Cons
- Late-game platforming can feel unfair: insta-death traps, finicky auto-climb and hitbox issues.
- Some bosses and enemy reuse leave the pacing uneven; a few fights are forgettable.
Player Opinion
Players love the combat, art and soundtrack — many call it a worthy revival of Shinobi with Streets of Rage 4-level polish. Common complaints focus on punishing optional platforming, occasional bugs and a late difficulty spike that feels more like poor collision than challenge. If you value fluid 2D combat and gorgeous visuals, you'll probably enjoy it; completionists and precision-platformer fans may be more frustrated. If you liked Shinobi III, Ninja Gaiden or modern indie action like The Messenger, this is worth a look.