Introduction: The Return of a Legend, Drawn by Hand

Fourteen years is a long time to hold your breath. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance exhales with confidence: a side-scrolling action-platformer that restores Joe Musashi to center stage and wraps him in lavish, hand-drawn animation. It’s a reboot, not a remake, built by Lizardcube with Sega’s direct involvement, and slated for August 28–29, 2025 depending on platform and region. Platforms include PS5/PS4, Xbox Series X|S/Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam).

New to Musashi? I’ve charted the Shinobi series timeline and legacy and compared classic entries to modern reboots in Ninja platformers, then and now.

Quick facts

• Developer: Lizardcube (with Sega) · Publisher: Sega · Series: Shinobi
• Release: Aug 28–29, 2025 (regional/platform variance)
• Platforms: PS5/PS4, Xbox Series X|S/Xbox One, Switch, PC
• Demo: Available now on multiple platforms.

What It Is (and Isn’t)

Is SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance a remake?

No. It’s a series reboot with new levels, systems, and art—respectful of the arcade roots but designed as a contemporary 2D action game.

Who is the bad guy in SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance?

The antagonist is Lord Ruse, the ruthless head of ENE Corp, whose assault on Oboro Village sets Joe Musashi on a globe-trotting vendetta.

Who is developing SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance?

Lizardcube—the studio behind Streets of Rage 4—develops the game in close collaboration with Sega.

The Look: Ink, Steel, and Speed

Lizardcube’s hand-drawn approach turns every backdrop into a moving print: markets drenched in neon rain, bamboo forests in chiaroscuro, and industrial labs filled with glassy menace. The visual identity isn’t nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake; it’s animated clarity that keeps readability high as you juggle foes and thread platforming gauntlets. Multiple critics highlight the art direction and the clean readability of its combat.

The Feel: Precision Combat With Room to Flex

At its core, Art of Vengeance is a combo-forward brawler-platformer. You slice with light/heavy strings, weave in kunai, and cash out with Execution finishers that drop resources and restore momentum. Ninpo specials occupy customizable slots, while Ninjutsu is a higher-octane meter you’ll often bank for bosses. Post-game Arcade and Boss Rush modes reward mastery; generous checkpoints keep the main path approachable.

Why it works:

• Clear timings: hit-stop and animation tells make juggles feel deliberate, not floaty.
• Buildcraft lite: amulets and upgrades let you lean into DPS, survivability, or utility without drowning in menus.
• Mode variety: optional challenge rifts and Elite arenas scratch the “one-more-try” itch.

Level Design: Set-Piece Variety Without Losing the Line

No two stages follow the same blueprint. Expect rooftop sprints on a speeding train, hostage rescues across vertical skylines, and creature-feature detours through ENE’s bio-labs. It’s linear by structure—not a Metroidvania—but earlier stages invite returns once movement tools (glider, claws, grappling hook) are unlocked, opening secret routes and optional encounters.

Story, Tone, and Pacing

The plot keeps the edges sharp: Oboro clan under siege, world in ENE’s grip, Musashi on the march. Dialogue is brisk, punctuated by physical comedy beats rather than monologues—a stylistic nod noticed in hands-on previews and reviews.

“Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Test”—Performance & Difficulty Notes

Looking for a practical “test” before buying? The free demo provides a representative slice of combat timing and input latency on your platform. Early reviews describe moderate baseline difficulty with unlimited lives and generous checkpoints, then optional modes for players who want a steeper climb. That balance makes score-chasing and speedrunning feel inviting rather than punitive.

For deeper numbers and controller feel across similar games, see 2D action performance benchmarks and my input-latency & frame pacing explainer.

How It Stands in 2025’s “Year of the Ninja”

With Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound already lighting up the leaderboards, Shinobi arrives into a crowded—frankly, glorious—season for 2D action. Ragebound leans toward tighter, punishing precision; Shinobi favors flowing strings, expressive specials, and painterly swagger. Different blades, same sharp discipline.

Release Date, Editions, and Platforms

• Release: Aug 28 (Steam listing) and Aug 29, 2025 (console storefronts and Sega sites).
• Platforms: PS5/PS4, Xbox Series X|S/Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC.
• Regional pricing & preorder promos vary; check your local Sega site or storefront. Demo access is live.

Verdict: A Clean Cut Through Nostalgia

Art of Vengeance threads the classic Shinobi blade through modern cloth: lush 2D art, readable combat, and enough optional challenge to keep the high-score crowd busy. It’s welcoming without feeling weightless, stylish without losing substance—and it lands at precisely the right moment.

FAQ

Is SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance a remake?

No. It’s a reboot—new content, new systems—honoring classic DNA.

Who is the bad guy in SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance?

Lord Ruse, commander of ENE Corp.

Who is developing SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance?

Lizardcube, with Sega’s direct support.

What’s the release date and where can I play it?

Aug 28–29, 2025, on PS5/PS4, Xbox Series X|S/Xbox One, Switch, and PC; demo available now.