Shinobi: Art of Vengeance

Steam reviews are thumbs up or down. In the average, thumbs up counts as 5 stars and thumbs down as 1.

• QUETZAL

  Steam review Recommended2 h played

  To be honest, I really enjoy 2D action side-scrolling games like this yet, paradoxically, whenever play games in this genre, tend to struggle whether it’s due to a lack of skill, impatience, or other issues. This has been my experience with titles like Hollow Knight, Silksong, and etc. Every animation from the slashes of the Oborozuki katana and the throwing of kunai to the transitions between ninpo techniques is rendered with highly dynamic, hand-drawn artistry. The environments, ranging from modern military bases to classic Japanese-style temples, feel incredibly vibrant and alive. The combat system demands more than just mindless button mashing. It integrates close quarters katana strikes with ranged kunai attacks, fluid movement mechanics like dash and wall jump, and the use of Amulets and ningi gear to unlock a diverse array of abilities. Boss encounters are both deeply satisfying and challenging. The audio and background music perfectly capture the vibe of SEGA’s golden age of arcade gaming the pulse pounding soundtrack keeps the adrenaline flowing through every stage and boss fight.

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  October 14, 2026 on Steam·View on Steam
• locust

  Steam review Recommended37 h played

  Stellar. A total knockout. Here's what this game is NOT: it's not a next-gen, new school Metroidvania in the mold of Hollow Knight, 9 Souls or Blasphemous. Nowadays, modern entries into the genre prioritize vast, labyrinthine, exploration-driven experiences combined with souls-like combat... and while they're cool (and sometimes downright incredible), they play nothing like the side-scrolling platformers I grew up on in the 80s and 90s. Many modern Metroidvanias feature retro aesthetics, but there's little/nothing about them which play like arcade classics or the NES, SNES and Genesis games I grew up on. That's fine, but I realized a while ago that while games like Hollow Knight are gorgeous achievements, they don't scratch my itches. I'm a busy guy with a career and a family - I don't have the bandwidth to chart my way across massive, borderline open-world platform mazes. I can't spend all night backtracking with various keys and learning the lightning-fast attack patterns of dozens of mini-bosses. I need simpler pleasures. Shinobi 2 is a perfectly-calibrated masterpiece of arcade-style platforming action, straight up. There's exploration, sure, and there are areas to unlock and spaces to revisit, but the game ultimately propels the player through a linear series of levels that play with all the vintage tropes: a moving train; a vast underground lab; a mountain ascent. Enemies are occasionally difficult, but there's nothing souls-like about any of this - instead, the developers prioritized combat that feels explosive, satisfying and fun, just challenging enough to demand your focus but never punishing. In every respect, it feels like a sexy, juiced-up SEGA Genesis title - expansive and updated enough to be worth your time as a modern gamer, but always geared towards a propulsive, arcade-like adventure that's easy to enjoy and never feels like a job. For the right kind of gamer looking for a nostalgic blast, it's a pure 10/10.

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  June 26, 2026 on Steam·View on Steam
• Muad´dib

  Steam review Recommended30 h played

  After playing for several hours, I can confidently say that Sega is back. I’ve completed The Revenge of Shinobi and Shinobi 3 on the Sega Mega Drive, as well as GG Shinobi 1 and 2 on the Sega Game Gear. This new version of Shinobi incorporates elements from all its predecessors. It features action, skill-based gameplay, and puzzles, much like the Game Gear version where you had to revisit levels after acquiring new skills to uncover hidden treasures. Thanks to Yuzo Koshiro, the music turned out quite well, though not quite as good as in the originals. Does anyone remember the Chinatown music from The Revenge of Shinobi? Unfortunately, I couldn’t find anything quite like it here. Still, it’s a fantastic game, and I hope it’s successful enough to encourage Sega to release more remakes. Imagine seeing classics like Nights into Dreams, Last Bronx, or Golden Axe get the same treatment. Let’s hope we get to experience those gems as well! EDIT: After finishing the game, I can confidently say that I really enjoyed it. All the combos, jumps, and mechanics are incredibly fluid and well-executed. The playability is smooth and exceptionally well done. I must also admit that I absolutely loved the music—my personal favorite is "Broken Hourglass." I highly recommend this game!

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  August 29, 2025 on Steam·View on Steam
• Kaleemu

  Steam review Recommended5 h played

  All these Don't recommend reviews - They don't know what the heck they want. This game is amazing and it plays like a dream on the deck. Please support this game. We need more arcade fun like this and illDamage I like switches and infinite dash.

  August 29, 2025 on Steam·View on Steam