Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is one of those rare revivals that understands exactly what made the series special while refusing to lean too heavily on nostalgia. It is a slick, stylish and demanding action platformer that feels right at home on the current crop of consoles, bringing a classic franchise into the modern era with confidence.
The first thing that strikes you is how sharp and fluid the combat feels. Movement is quick and responsive, with every sword slash, shuriken throw and evasive roll animated to perfection. This is not a button-mashing hack and slash… Enemies require precision, patience and timing, forcing you to learn their patterns and react accordingly. Combat rewards careful play and punishes reckless behaviour, but never in a way that feels unfair. The tight controls ensure that if you fail, it is because you’ve been a dumbass and made the mistake, not the game.
Boss encounters stand out as some of the best in the genre. Each one is unique, with attack patterns that push you to use every skill you have learned. One fight might demand quick reactions and parries, while another forces you to balance stealth and aggression. They are tough and tricky to learn, but definitely rewarding, and each victory feels earned rather than handed out.
Level are really nicely varied too, with some stages are built around verticality, encouraging wall climbing and precise jumps, while others are more combat heavy, throwing waves of enemies at you in confined arenas. Hidden paths and collectibles are scattered throughout, rewarding exploration and replaying levels with new abilities. It is a structure that keeps the game feeling fresh across its campaign, and encourages you to revisit areas rather than simply ploughing forward – for someone like me who has a tendency to want to find everything, there’s plenty to go hunting for.
The presentation though really stands out as a highlight, and is nothing short of stunning. Environments are rich in detail, with glowing lanterns, misty forests and neon-soaked cityscapes that blend traditional Japanese style with a modern edge. Character models are bold and expressive, and the animation work sells every slash and counter. Performance holds up throughout, with a steady frame rate that keeps the action silky smooth even when things get chaotic, and even on our trusty backup Series S it was ticking long at a beautiful pace. The same goes for the audio in the game as well, where the soundtrack mixes traditional Japanese instruments with modern beats, creating an atmosphere that is both authentic and energetic. Sword clashes, shuriken strikes and stealth takedowns all sound crisp, adding to the immersion whether you are playing on speakers or a headset. And let’s be honest, is there a finer sound in gaming than two swords clashing with that satisfying “shhhting”?
One of the most welcome features is the way the game handles difficulty. By default it is a challenging experience, but there are accessibility options that allow players to adjust certain aspects without dulling the thrill of combat. Checkpoints are generous enough to stop things from becoming frustrating, yet not so frequent that the challenge is diminished. It is a fair balance that makes the game approachable without compromising the identity of the Shinobi series, and means that most people will find some kind of compromise to keep them playing.
So as an overall package, this newly realised Shinobi title strikes the balance between respecting its roots and embracing modern design. It delivers tight combat, stylish presentation and a consistently rewarding challenge. Fans of the series will feel right at home, and newcomers will find one of the most polished action platformers you can get your hands on.
Reviewed on Xbox Series X
