Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a hand-drawn 2D action platformer that continues the Shinobi series. Players as ninja Joe Musashi take revenge for the clan and stop the ENE corporation threatening the world.
The project received rave reviews from critics and audiences. On OpenCritic, the average score reached 87% after 71 opinions, which came as a surprise to many players. This score secured the game's status as one of the most successful premieres of 2025.
Journalists note the artistic style: it combines elements of hand-drawing and traditional Japanese art. The locations are worked out in detail, and the animation looks smooth. Similar praise was given to the combat process - dynamic, with many combinations and spectacular special moves. Boss fights are also highly appreciated: they require attentiveness, studying patterns and gradually mastering new techniques. It is the balance of visuals and combat system that makes the game one of the best in the series.
There is also criticism. There are complaints about the uneven level design: some jumps and sections look unnatural. The addition of metroidvania elements is also questionable - they seem random and poorly integrated into the structure of the game. The storyline with Joe Musashi also didn't appeal to everyone: the story is perceived as a secondary, not the leading part of the project.
For fans of classic action movies with rich animation and smooth gameplay, this is one of the best options in 2025.
