Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Review (PS5) – A Slice Of Perfection

From its arcade debut in 1987 to The Revenge of Shinobi on the Mega Drive, and even the underrated PS2 entry, Sega’s ninja saga has always been a benchmark for stylish action. After years hiding in the shadows, Joe Musashi is back in Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, developed by Lizardcube, the same team behind my 2020 game of the year, Streets of Rage 4. What they’ve delivered isn’t just a throwback, it’s a masterclass in reviving a retro icon without losing what made it special.

The story is pretty simple. After Joe’s village is attacked by the evil ENE Corp, leaving it a flaming ruin and his pregnant wife in danger, he sets off on a journey of revenge and to stop this paramilitary outfit from taking over the world. It’s all very silly, but it’s also very Shinobi.

The first thing that grabs you is the art direction. Lizardcube’s hand-drawn style blends Japanese brush strokes with neon skylines, giving the game a fresh yet authentic look. If you’ve played Streets of Rage 4, you’ll know what I mean: clean, colourful, packed with detail. It feels like a modern comic come to life, but still very much Shinobi.

Gameplay is just as sharp. Musashi’s sword, kunai, and trademark double jump all return, but now he’s got dashes, grappling points, and combo strings that make fights faster and more fluid. The classic kunai spray from Revenge of Shinobi has been downgraded to a power-up rather than a standard move (1 out of 10 for that decision), but chaining attacks together feels so good you won’t miss it for long.

Combat hits a neat balance and is simple enough for newcomers, with hidden depth for veterans. The new Shinobi Execution move is a highlight. Charged by defeating enemies, it unleashes cinematic finishers across multiple foes. Slick to watch, a lifesaver in tough spots, and wouldn’t look out of place in Ninja Scroll if you’re old enough to remember that.

Ninpo magic is back too. Fireballs, lightning, Kunai Chaos all limited by a charge meter so you can’t overuse them. Choosing when to strike adds strategy, and yes, the iconic screen-filling Karyu dragon attack returns, more spectacular than ever. There is a catch though. Many of Joe’s upgrades are tied to a shop system, unlocked with coins hidden through stages. It’s not perfect, but it forces you to master the basics before layering on the extras.

Level design mixes linear action with light exploration, and of course, those dreaded forced-scrolling stages we all know and hate. But this time, they’re handled with imagination. Instead of just riding elevators, these sections use creative twists to keep you engaged. Levels aren’t sprawling Metroidvanias either, but revisiting them with new abilities unlocks hidden routes and collectibles, giving real replay value. Environments are not only beautiful but varied, from fish markets to fortified strongholds, all drawn with that Lizardcube magic. I do have a gripe though, and it’s a big one if you remember platforming back in the day. There are just too many leaps of faith. Blind drops often mean cheap deaths, leaning on trial-and-error rather than skill.

What stands out most is how Lizardcube captures Shinobi’s essence without copying it. You can feel the arcade simplicity of the original, the boss spectacle of Revenge of Shinobi, and the combo-driven scarf-em-up of the PS2 reboot, all reimagined through a beautiful modern 2D lens. It’s not a remake, not a nostalgia cash-in, but a confident evolution. Honestly, Sega should hand them Golden Axe, Altered Beast, or Alien Storm next.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is exactly what a revival should be: faithful without being a shallow copy, modern without erasing its past. It’s a reminder that Sega’s back catalogue still has untapped gold waiting for the right hands. For veterans, it’s the triumphant return of one of Sega’s greatest icons. For newcomers, it’s a dazzling introduction to a series that helped define the action genre. Either way, this is a must-play, an old master showing the new generation how it’s done.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is available on PlayStation 5 (review platform), PlayStation 4, Xbox Series S|X, Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam.

Developer: Lizardcube
Publisher: Sega

Disclaimer: In order to complete this review, we were provided with a promotional copy of the game. For our full review policy, please go here.

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