Ninja Gaiden spin-off exceptionally impresses, transforming even casual gamers into dedicated franchise enthusiasts, an ideal stepping stone for retro gaming novices.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound Revives Classic Action with a Modern Twist
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, the latest installment in the classic action series, is set to release on July 31 on Xbox, PlayStation, and Steam. This side-scrolling action platformer is a tribute to the origins of Ninja Gaiden, featuring superb gameplay, beautiful pixel-art graphics, and tough but fair difficulty.
The game follows the story of two playable characters: Kenji Mozu from the Hayabusa ninja clan and Kumori, a member of the Black Spider ninja clan. After encountering evil demons, they are forced to work together, their bodies and souls fused in a unique bond. The objective is to stop the resurrection of a Demon Lord and restore normalcy.
For newcomers, the game starts relatively forgivingly, offering an accessible entry point. It delays the harsh difficulty typical of previous Ninja Gaiden installments and encourages fast-paced combat and fluid movement without immediately punishing players harshly. The combat encourages maintaining momentum by slicing enemies quickly and moving forward, which helps ease new players into the old-school Ninja Gaiden challenge.
As the game progresses, the difficulty ramps up, introducing new mechanics and enemy types that demand tactical use of both characters' abilities. The gameplay depth increases after about an hour when a second character is introduced, bringing new complexities without overwhelming the player.
For veterans, Ragebound recreates the spirit of early Ninja Gaiden games, offering fast, precise combat and tough but fair challenges. Its design demands mastery of the controls and mechanics such as the Guillotine boost (a mid-air attack that enables double-jumping and strategic boss encounters), wall-climbing, and an intricate interplay between characters' abilities in later stages. The game is praised for its "relentless and challenging" gameplay that channels the spirit of classic Ninja Gaiden titles, making it engaging for series fans familiar with the traditional high difficulty.
The level design includes various deathtraps and obstacles requiring quick thinking and creative use of game mechanics. Enemies explode in a shower of pixelated gore, adding immersion to combat. The game has a linear structure with levels filled with enemies, bosses, and platforming challenges.
The game has a few bugs that can cause unintentional, unfair deaths, but these are relatively minor issues. The gear system in the game is restrictive, allowing only a limited number of items and weapons to be equipped. However, completing super-hard side missions unlocks Hard Mode upon beating the game once, providing an additional challenge for those seeking it.
The game does not have an archaic lives system, reducing frustration for newcomers. Players can use various ninja skills, weapons, and abilities to fight enemies and traverse obstacles. If a player gets hit while jumping, they can use the Guillotine Boost technique to rebound in midair.
In summary, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound offers a graduated challenge curve that starts accessible for newcomers but grows in complexity and difficulty suitable for veterans, combining retro aesthetics with modern mechanics. Its precise controls, inventive character mechanics, and tough combat encounters have been well received, earning it recognition as an exciting revival of the franchise.
- The release of Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound on Xbox, PlayStation, and Steam on July 31 is not just limited to consoles, as it is also available on Steam, providing a PC gaming experience.
- With the release of Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, Xbox owners will have another action-packed game to enjoy on their gaming laptop or Surface Laptop, thanks to the Windows compatibility.
- Microsoft, known for its gaming platform Xbox, has played a crucial role in bringing the latest Ninja Gaiden to multiple platforms, ensuring it is available to a wider audience.
- As the game offers a modern twist to the classic action series, PC gamers can potentially use advanced gaming equipment, enhancing their entertainment experience during gameplay.
- Furthermore, the release of Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound on multiple platforms signifies Microsoft's commitment to providing diverse entertainment options for gamers, whether they prefer console or PC gaming.
