Shinobi: Art of Vengeance

After waiting for decades, Shinobi and Joe Musashi have not just made a proper return, but are a shining example of what SEGA can do with its older titles, should it want to. It’s simply flawless, full of enjoyable combat, tricky sections, and plenty to keep ninja gaming fans happy from start to finish. Welcome back, Joe. We’ve missed you.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is the ultimate 2D ninja experience and one of the best action platformer experiences of recent memory due to its impactful combat with ample customization options and an unforgettable art style.

With its gorgeous hand drawn art and kinetic combat, Shinobi Art Of Vengeance is one of my favorite games of 2025, and one of the best 2D action-platformers in years.

2025 is an amazing year to be a fan of samurai and ninjas, with games like Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Ninja Gaiden leading the pack of their sudden resurgence with releases earlier this year, and soon, Ghost of Yotei and Ninja Gaiden 4. But what I wasn’t counting on was perhaps one of the biggest surprises for me this year, and that was the announcement of SEGA’s Shinobi franchise returning for yet another classic 2D entry.

It’s been far too long, but Shinobi is back! After fourteen years in the wilderness, Joe Musashi has a new main series entry to showcase what he does best; running and jumping from left to right and killing mechanised ninjas with unstoppable style and grace. At this point, I could tease whether Lizardcube has been successful in rebooting one of Sega’s finest, but when a game is this good, it should be shouted about from the opening paragraph. And Shinobi: Art of Vengeance isn’t just good; it’s a masterclass in 2D platforming.

At the end of 2023, Sega announced its intention to revive a handful of dormant franchises from its heyday. Some of them came from the Sega Genesis era, including the action-focused ninja franchise Shinobi. I grew up as a Super Nintendo kid, so I didn't have any particular attachment to Shinobi or Joe Musashi, so I walked into Shinobi: Art of Vengeance fairly cold, not really knowing what to expect. Fortunately, one doesn't have to be seasoned in the world of Shinobi to understand what an incredible masterpiece Art of Vengeance is.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a wonderful return for the classic franchise, featuring fluid combat with tons of variety, as well as exciting boss encounters. While combat is definitely the highlight, its art design is a sight to behold and is undeniably one of the most stylish games of 2025. While its platforming needs a bit of fine-tuning, it isn't enough to hinder how much fun it is to combo the heck out of foes.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance once again puts us in control of the legendary Joe Musashi, and it's a genuine treat. Fast and fluid combat meets slick platforming and traversal, and when you add in the game's stunning art and excellent soundtrack, you're looking at game of the year material.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance triumphs at what it sets out to achieve. A side-scrolling action game, it brings intense, fast-flowing combat and some very light metroidvania elements for brief bouts of exploration. If you’ve played developer Lizardcube’s previous game, Streets of Rage 4, expect a similarly stunning hand-drawn art style here, as well as an excellent soundtrack that keeps the action feeling suitably engaging. Make no mistake, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a game of the year contender and essential play for action game fans.

Ninja Gaiden, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles—it’s been a great year for ninja-based games, and the train keeps rolling with Shinobi: Art of Vengeance. Serving as the first title in 14 years following the last foray with Shinobi 3D on the Nintendo 3DS, Lizardcube, developers of Streets of Rage 4, bring this new fix to fans. Featuring the DNA and pedigree of that studio’s talents while being a fitting and true next step for the series, it’s a 2D action game resurgence that is not to b...

Everyone’s favourite ninja, Joe Musashi, is back in Shinobi Art of Vengeance, the first of a series of projects that look to revitalise classic Sega franchises like Jet Set Radio, Golden Axe, and Crazy Taxi. Equal parts nostalgic and modern, and priced at $48 AUD, Art of Vengeance isn’t one to be missed.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a genuinely engaging 2D action platformer that’s beautiful to behold and even better to play.