Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound tasks you to excel as a side-scrolling ninja, featuring jaw-dropping pixel art.
In the world of gaming, the return of a classic series is always an exciting event. Such is the case with Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, a new instalment in the beloved 2D Ninja Gaiden series. Developed by The Game Kitchen, the same studio behind the indie hit Blasphemous 2, this game promises to deliver a fresh take on the series, while staying true to its roots.
A New Ninja in Town
The new protagonist of Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is Kenji, a novice ninja who finds himself in the midst of a thrilling adventure. Kenji's movesets include the Guillotine Boost for countering and traversal, adding a new dynamic to the gameplay.
A Collaborative Journey
Kenji's journey is not alone, as he merges with Kumori, a female assassin from the Black Spider Clan. This alliance grants Kenji access to Kumori's ranged skills, adding a strategic layer to the gameplay.
A Replayable Experience
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound offers a grading system and unlockable secret missions, making it a game that players can revisit multiple times to improve their scores and uncover hidden content.
A Visually Stunning Game
The game's art direction takes inspiration from mythology, nature, and folklore, creating a visually stunning experience with pixel art that features colourful details, tight controls, and smooth animations.
A True Sequel
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a true 2D sequel that surpasses what was achievable on 8-bit and 16-bit hardware. It's not a slavish emulation of 8-bit aesthetics, but a modern interpretation that maintains the series' challenging roots while introducing faster pacing and accessibility.
Availability and Release Date
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound will be available on PC, Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One, and is set to release on July 31, 2025.
The Developer
The Game Kitchen, the developer behind Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, is also the team behind Blasphemous 2. This studio is known for its expertise in pixel art and violent action gameplay, making them the perfect choice for reviving the classic Ninja Gaiden series.
The Publisher
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is published by Dotemu, a company known for its work in the gaming industry.
Gameplay and Features
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound covers a lot of ground across four acts, featuring various environments and gameplay paces. The game features ample gore, including Hypercharge attacks that instant-kill enemies in a gory fashion. Scarabs act as currency for buying new talismans and Kumori's ranged weapons, offering different playstyles.
However, only two talisman slots are available, requiring specific playstyle choices for each mission. Kumori has a parallel playstyle with a finite time to reach switches or hidden items. The game does not follow the series protagonist Ryu Hayabusa, making Kenji's journey a unique one.
Conclusion
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is not a straightforward retro game remake, but a modern interpretation of the classic series that stays true to its roots while introducing new elements. It's a game that promises to deliver a challenging and engaging experience for players of all levels.
- The art direction of the game draws inspiration from mythology, nature, and folklore, offering a visually stunning experience with pixel art that includes colorful details, tight controls, and smooth animations.
- The development of Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a collaboration between The Game Kitchen and Dotemu, both known for their expertise in the gaming industry.
- To enhance the gameplay, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound offers a variety of features such as a grading system, unlockable secret missions, and a currency system using Scarabs to buy new talismans and Kumori's ranged weapons.
- In the game, players can follow the journey of Kenji, a novice ninja who merges with Kumori, a female assassin from the Black Spider Clan, adding a strategic layer to the gameplay.
- The game provides tutorials for understanding the layout of the various environments and knowing how to use the unique movesets of Kenji and Kumori effectively, making it enjoyable for both new and experienced gamers.
