Test Shinobi: Art of Vengeance – The Legendary Ninja’s Mastery, and It’s French!

Shinobi’s Revival: French Masters Unleash Art of Vengeance

In 2025, Koei Tecmo is heralding a “Year of the Ninja” with a significant comeback for the Ninja Gaiden franchise, releasing three titles within the year: a Ninja Gaiden 2 remaster, Ninja Gaiden Ragebound in July, and Ninja Gaiden 4 by the end of October. SEGA, in turn, enters the arena with Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, a game that is part of their recent strategy to revive classic IPs, buoyed by the 2020 success of Streets of Rage 4. This new Shinobi installment, developed by the French studio Lizardcube, in collaboration with Guard Crush Games, with Lizardcube independently handling Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, successfully blends tradition and modernity, creating what many consider an awesome game.

Revitalizing Nostalgia: French Masters’ Shinobi Rebirth

For years, SEGA hesitated to fully leverage its own licenses. While Sonic maintained the company’s Japanese image, most other cult franchises from the 8- and 16-bit eras gathered dust or were outsourced to external studios. This situation intensified when SEGA licensed its IPs to more adept publishers like DotEmu. DotEmu notably revived interest in Streets of Rage, a game many considered lost to time. The fourth installment became a massive success, selling over 2.5 million copies in its first year and likely far more today. DotEmu demonstrated how to create a genuine comeback game by tapping into nostalgia and a commitment to quality—a feat Microids, despite its larger presence, never achieved, attributed by some to a lack of motivation and talent. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance embodies this fusion of old and new. Developed by the French studio Lizardcube, it aligns with SEGA’s initiative to revitalize its classic properties. This game promises a unique blend of traditional elements and modern gameplay, with a focus on impressive power progression, marking the return of the iconic ninja.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance – Retro-Techno Ninja Revival

Set in 2025, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance immerses players in the world of Joe Musashi. The story follows Musashi, a member of the Oboro clan whose peaceful life is disrupted when the ENE Corporation attacks his village and massacres his loved ones. To seek vengeance, he must unleash his skills as a master swordsman and ninja, utilizing katanas, ninjutsu techniques, and other abilities unlocked throughout the game. Players can anticipate action-packed platforming within a retrotechno environment. The game seamlessly integrates combat and various ninja skills into its gameplay and combo system. Fans of studios like Lizardcube, DotEmu, and Guard Crush Games are familiar with their passion for arcade games, particularly NeoGeo-era brawlers. This expertise in combos is evident in Shinobi: Art of Vengeance. Joe Musashi, the silent protagonist, can execute a wide array of skills, including running, jumping, double jumps, wall climbing, ground rolls, dashing, grappling hooks, paragliding, diving kicks, armor-piercing punches, and integrated ninjutsu combos. Players will discover unexpected defense and break capacities within Ninpo, progressively unlocking more abilities to diversify combo possibilities with cancels, aerial movements, two launchers, and finishers.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance – Tactical Ninja Puzzles in Retro-Techno World

Lizardcube’s Shinobi: Art of Vengeance delivers impactful gameplay. Enemies attack in groups or waves, demanding strategic and tense play. Brute force alone is insufficient; adversaries are intelligent and cunning, with some featuring armor that must be broken before their health bar depletes. This requires thoughtful attack planning and coordinated waves. Each battle serves as a stimulating tactical puzzle rather than a frustrating obstacle. The game’s high difficulty often necessitates significant effort to progress, as checkpoints can be distant, forcing replays of sequences. While challenging, this encourages player improvement. The game seamlessly blends traditional ninja combat, magic, and modern platforming, creating excellent chaining opportunities, all while maintaining its cool retrotechno aesthetic as Joe Musashi unlocks new abilities. Unlocking new paths yields rewards, such as fresh outfits for Joe. The greatest prize, however, is the sense of total accomplishment. The game incorporates a Metroidvania influence, with players potentially revisiting previously explored levels using serpent stelae checkpoints for quick travel.

Shinobi’s Visual Symphony – Lizardcube’s Stunning Ninja Odyssey in Changing Landscapes

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a visual masterpiece, a testament to Lizardcube’s expertise. Beyond Ben Fiquet’s stunning artwork, the game features clever staging, even with seemingly static backgrounds that consistently include animated elements as introductions or in the distance. These meticulously planned environments not only enhance visuals but also establish the scene and rhythm of combat. The game utilizes clever camera angles to amplify the impact of certain sequences, zooming in on action when needed, then pulling back to showcase stunning landscapes. Unlike “Cobra,” which presented a flat and dull experience, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance maintains freshness through its changing environments, overall vibe, and diverse enemy types, avoiding the repetitive and unimaginative creatures found in “Cobra.” Regarding the soundtrack for Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, Yuzo Koshiro’s contribution is partial; Tiago Tee Lopes crafted most of the score. Tee has previously collaborated with SEGA on recent Sonic games and various DotEmu projects. The music is somewhat subdued, reportedly lacking the power of the 80s episodes. While nostalgia may influence opinions, this 2025 installment does not feature a truly memorable, standout tune. Though not a significant flaw, a killer audio experience might have been anticipated given the near-perfection of other aspects.

In Case You Missed It

For those looking to dive into the world of classic 2D action-platformers with a modern twist, don’t miss Sophie Laurent’s latest piece on “Shinobi: Art of Vengeance – A Final Trailer to Showcase its Explosiveness!” (Published 2025-08-27). This article highlights Sega and Lizardcube’s highly anticipated release, featuring hand-drawn graphics and a challenging yet accessible gameplay that perfectly balances arcade nostalgia with contemporary gaming standards. With the game set for release on August 29th and a free demo already available across all consoles, now is the perfect time to get a sneak peek at this explosive return of the ninja hero. Check it out Shinobi: Art of Vengeance – A Final Trailer to Showcase its Explosiveness!. For all you horror game enthusiasts out there, don’t miss the latest thrilling announcement from Gamescom! Marcus Thompson dives into the details of “Silent Hill F” in his recent post (August 20, 2025), revealing a brand new installment set to release this September. With its unique protagonist and rich Japanese cultural influences, Silent Hill F promises an eerie and engaging gameplay experience featuring Hinako Shimizu and her mysterious fox-masked guide. Head over to our blog to learn more about the game’s combat system and its intriguing Otherworld passages Silent Hill F Revealed in New Trailer at Gamescom. For those who are eagerly anticipating the return of a classic horror series, Sophie Laurent’s latest piece delves into the intriguing new trailer for *Silent Hill f*. Published on August 20th, this article explores how Konami is revamping the franchise with protagonist Hinako Shimizu and her haunting journey. With its blend of Japanese folklore and unsettling visuals, the game promises to captivate both longtime fans and newcomers alike. Dive deeper into what makes Silent Hill f a fresh take on the series by checking out Silent Hill f: A New Trailer Emphasizing Oppressive Atmosphere, Konami Learns from Past Mistakes.