Recently I had the opportunity to preview a handful of upcoming titles at Summer Game Fest. These ranged from ones I’d been laser focused on since their announcement and some that had been revealed for the first time less than 24 hours before my appointed time. The bulk of these affirmed my assumptions, maybe taught me something new, and left me curious about what publishers might showcase next.
Then there was Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, which shocked me by becoming my favorite game of the show.
This one had piqued my interest as part of the unified “Power Surge” announcement back in 2023, where multiple Sega series were revealed to have new entries on the way. I (and I imagine many others) gravitated to Jet Set Radio, but nestled in there was a glimpse of a new Shinobi, later announced to be in development with Lizardcube. These folks brought us the exceptional Streets of Rage 4, making Art of Vengeance feel the safest of these reveals, and maybe the easiest to slip through the cracks.
After playing it for nearly an hour, I’m kicking myself for not being more tuned in sooner, because this is everything I love in a 2D action game. Fast, responsive controls and movement. Flexible combat options that grow across the game. Gorgeously visuals across the board. A blend of fighting, platforming, and exploration. Fundamentally it’s nothing “new,” but it’s distilled to such a purity that I’m instantly craving more.
That’s a lot of praise for what was only two stages, but it’s not the stages that won me over. It’s the satisfaction of cutting through enemies while moving like only a ninja can. You’ll often end up with a few foes on screen at a given time, and by whittling them down to low health (but not quite killing them) you can activate a finishing execution attack that sees Joe Musashi zigzag through them like lightning, finishing them in a single blow and rewarding you with enhanced drops — but more importantly undeniable style.
I implore you to check out the ongoing playlist of videos hosted on Sega’s YouTube to see all of this in motion. Words and visuals weren’t exactly enough to win me over originally so I understand if you’re skeptical. If you ever get the opportunity to demo this one yourself you’ll understand just how good it feels to play Art of Vengeance.
Cutting through nameless soldiers and other enemies didn’t get old, as they have different health values to manage if you want to pull off the best execution you can. Suddenly they go from punching bags to opportunities; where you integrate sword, kunai, and other attacks together to pop off with a screen clearing single stroke. Boss fights are a treat as well, despite being more like duals than combo opportunities, though the ones I played through were a bit straightforward in their “hit it ‘til it’s dead” approach — staying mobile is a great way to avoid getting hit. I’m hopeful they have more dynamic encounters waiting in the full version, as a glimpse I got of different bosses during a cutscene showed multiple, distinct and appealing designs.
Even if you’ve never played a Shinobi before, if you enjoy 2D action with buttery smooth controls, have Art of Vengeance on your radar ahead up to its August 29th release. It might be tough to keep track of all these Sega revivals (Virtua Fighter! Another new Streets of Rage! Crazy Taxi!), but (despite how fitting it would be for a ninja to slip by unnoticed) don’t let this one get lost in the noise.
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Written by Ricky Berg
When he isn’t writing for Nintendo Wire, Ricky’s anticipating the next Kirby, Fire Emblem, or if the stars ever align, Mother 3 to be released. Till then he’ll have the warm comfort of Super Smash Bros. to keep him going.
