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SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance is worth a look if you want stylish, fast 2D action built around combos, platforming and ninja tools. Its hand-drawn presentation and responsive combat drew praise from TechRadar’s PS5 reviewer, while exploration stays relatively light: expect a stage-based action platformer with side paths and upgrades, not a sprawling Metroidvania.
What kind of game is Shinobi: Art of Vengeance?
Developed by Lizardcube in partnership with SEGA, SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance is a new 2D action platformer starring Joe Musashi. Its story begins after his village is destroyed and his clan is turned to stone; Joe sets out for revenge. SEGA chief producer Toru Ohara said in a February 12, 2025 PlayStation Blog interview that the game is neither a sequel nor a side story, but a new title with a new story and gameplay elements. PlayStation Blog interview.
The visual style combines hand-drawn illustration with cues from classic Sega-era games. Lizardcube creative director Ben Fiquet described influences ranging from French comics to Japanese anime, alongside a Mega Drive/Genesis aesthetic, in the same interview.
How does it play?
Combat is the main attraction
The official description emphasizes katana attacks, kunai, ninja arts, Ninpo and combo-based combat. TechRadar’s PS5 review praised the responsive fighting and hand-drawn visuals, and described a mix of melee combos, platforming, light puzzle-solving and special abilities. The appeal is in chaining attacks and tools while navigating distinct stages, rather than in a single combat system carrying a large open world.
#1 Best Overall
- DLC Included: Ghost Outfit SEGA Villains Stage Downloadable Content Medic Lite Amulet Digital Art Book and Soundtrack 2000 Gold Genre: Action # of Players: 1 Player
Exploration is present, but not the whole game
Hidden paths, secrets, upgrades and abilities give you reasons to look beyond the main route. TechRadar’s reviewer characterized that exploration as light and the overall structure as more linear than Hollow Knight or Metroid Dread. It is fair to call the game action-platforming with some Metroidvania elements; players seeking a large interconnected map and extensive backtracking should look elsewhere.
Difficulty and accessibility
TechRadar noted remappable controls and custom difficulty settings, which offer some room to tailor the challenge. The same review criticized the lack of robust accessibility options. Those are observations from its PS5 review, not a platform-by-platform audit.
Is Shinobi: Art of Vengeance worth playing?
Based on the available review evidence, it is a strong fit for players who want a visually distinctive, combat-forward 2D platformer with varied stages and optional detours. Series veterans get a new Joe Musashi story rather than a direct sequel, while newcomers can approach it as a standalone entry. It is less compelling if your priority is deep exploration, a large interconnected world or extensive accessibility settings.
TechRadar’s PS5 reviewer also reported completing the game at 100% in about 16 hours. That was one reviewer’s run, including stages, secrets, upgrades, abilities, Ninpo, and some Arcade and Boss Rush play; it is a useful point of reference, not a guaranteed runtime for every player.
Rank #3
- The iconic SHINOBI returns in an all-new 2D action platformer with a unique hand-drawn look created by the team behind the hit brawler Streets of Rage 4.
Platforms, release dates and editions
The original release arrived August 29, 2025, for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and Steam. Nintendo lists a dedicated Switch 2 version for September 24, 2026. That native Switch 2 listing is distinct from using the original Switch version on Switch 2, which Nintendo says is supported and behaves like the Switch version. The dedicated listing describes TV, tabletop and handheld play, with higher handheld resolution for that version. Check your local storefront for regional availability and ratings.
For physical buyers, SEGA announced Standard Edition preorders for Nintendo Switch in EMEA. Its regional notice said there was no physical edition for PS4, Xbox consoles or Steam. This is regional information, not a guarantee of current stock or a statement about every market. Compare your existing platform, format preference, local availability and verified price before buying; the available evidence does not establish a performance ranking between platforms.
Rank #4
- DLC Included: Ghost Outfit SEGA Villains Stage Downloadable Content Medic Lite Amulet Digital Art Book and Soundtrack 2000 Gold Genre: Action # of Players: 1 Player
Should you get the SEGA Villains Stage DLC?
The SEGA Villains Stage DLC became available April 3, 2026. SEGA lists five crossover stages, six music tracks, three bosses—Goro Majima, Dr. Eggman and Death Adder—three additional Ninpo, three outfits and two Boss Rush modes featuring DLC bosses. You must own the base game and complete the fourth zone to access it. The DLC is included in the Digital Deluxe Upgrade; SEGA describes that offering as the base game, Starter Pack, Villains Stage, digital art book and soundtrack. The art book and soundtrack are digital, not evidence of physical extras. SEGA’s official game site.
If you already own the base game and want more stages or boss fights, the DLC has a clear purpose. If you are buying for the first time, compare the local base-game and Deluxe listings based on whether the crossover content interests you; prices and stock vary by storefront and region.
Where to buy
Choose the listing for your platform and region, and verify whether it is the base game or a bundle that includes the Villains Stage. Nintendo’s US listing identifies SEGA as publisher, Lizardcube as developer and the game as single-player; its ESRB descriptors are Blood, Violence and In-Game Purchases. Ratings can differ by region. Nintendo US Switch listing.
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