Shinobi: Art of Vengeance (Xbox Series X) Review

2D action platforming fans have never eaten better than they have in the past five years. There has been a cascade of excellent 2D action platformers that fans of every genre could appreciate, and for another 2D ninja-based excursion in 2025, SEGA has excavated their stores of dormant IPs to bring the iconic katana-wielding Joe Musashi back into the spotlight in Shinobi: Art of Vengeance. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance brings high-octane encounters, crisp and precise controls, and tight platforming sequences that can test even the most seasoned shinobi.

After over 13 years of hibernation, one thing is made apparent right out of the box: Shinobi: Art of Vengeance looks incredibly different from every other Shinobi title, and it’s for the better. The developers at Lizardcube really struck a chord with fans on Streets of Rage 4, with a strikingly fresh art style and environments flush with colour and vibrancy crafted by art designer Ben Fiquet. It appears the devs have noticed fans’... Read more