Shinobi: Art of Vengeance

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
Developer(s)Lizardcube
Publisher(s)Sega
Producer(s)Toru Ohara
Designer(s)Ben Fiquet
SeriesShinobi
EngineUnity
Platform(s)
ReleaseAugust 29, 2025
Genre(s)Action-platformer
Mode(s)Single-player

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance[a] is an upcoming action platform game developed by Lizardcube and published by Sega. A reboot of the Shinobi series, it is set to be released on August 29, 2025, for Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X and Series S.

Gameplay

Like its predecessors, Art of Vengeance is a 2D action platformer. The player controls ninja Joe Musashi through various levels where the goal is to defeat the bosses at the end of them. Musashi is equipped with a sword and kunai but can also use magical powers called "Ninpo" to defeat his enemies. Enemies can be staggered and tagged, allowing Musashi to unleash "Shinobi Execution", killing all tagged enemies at once. Amulets can also be equipped, granting the player character additional combat bonuses.[1][2] As a ninja, Musashi is very agile, being capable of performing feats such as double jumping, dashing through air, and dodge-rolling.[3] As players progress, they will be able to spend gold, the in-game currency, to unlock new trasversal tools, combat moves and upgrades. Unlike prior entries however, the game is based more around Metroidvania styled exploration to find secrets and side content.[4] After each stage is completed, they can be replayed in Arcade mode, which challenges players to complete the stage as fast as possible.[5]

An additional stage will be available as downloadable content in 2026. The stage will feature boss battles with three villains from other Sega franchises, including Doctor Eggman from Sonic the Hedgehog.[6]

Premise

After finding his village decimated by a military organization named ENE Corporation, series protagonist Joe Musashi embarks on a journey to exact revenge on its mysterious leader, Lord Ruse, and thwarts his plan for world domination.[7]

Development

Art of Vengence was part of Sega's initiative to revive some of their dormant franchises. Sega approached Lizardcube, a studio based in Paris, and recruited them as their development partner, after being impressed by their work on Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap (2017) and Streets of Rage 4 (2020), both of which were developed under its license. The publisher, however, took a more involved role in Art of Vengence's development, with the game's producer, Toru Ohara, leading a team to collaborate with Lizardcube and encouraging them to create a more striking art style than what was initially planned. The first three games in the franchise were cited by Lizardcube as their sources of inspiration, though they also attempted to modernize the franchise by refining the game's combat and introducing a combo system.[8]

Art of Vengeance was first teased at The Game Awards on December 7, 2023.[9][10] The game under its full title was not revealed until a trailer showcasing the gameplay was released on February 12, 2025.[11] The game is set to be released on August 29, 2025 for Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X and Series S.[12]

Notes

  1. ^ Known in Japan as Shinobi: Fukushū no Zangeki (SHINOBI 復讐の斬撃). The subtitle roughly translates as either Vengeance Slash or Vengeance Strike.

References

  1. ^ Shea, Brian (June 7, 2025). "Shinobi: Art of Vengeance: Slicing And Dicing". Game Informer. Archived from the original on July 26, 2025. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  2. ^ Cuevas, Zachery (June 14, 2025). "I Played 'Shinobi: Art of Vengeance,' a Gorgeous, Action-Packed Ninja Game, and Loved Every Minute". PCMag. Archived from the original on June 15, 2025. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  3. ^ Totty, Lindsay (2025-07-29). "Preview — Shinobi: Art of Vengeance updates arcade action with slick new style". NPR. Archived from the original on 2025-07-29. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  4. ^ Higham, Michael (2025-07-29). "Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Is 2D Action Done Right – The Final Preview". IGN. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  5. ^ Sinha, Ravi (August 7, 2025). "Shinobi: Art of Vengeance – 15 Things You Need to Know Before Buying". GamingBolt. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  6. ^ Romano, Sal (August 18, 2025). "SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance DLC 'SEGA Villains Stage' adds Dr. Eggman". Gematsu. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
  7. ^ Meija, Ozzie (June 9, 2025). "Shinobi: Art of Vengeance shines with its graceful platforming". Shacknews. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  8. ^ Shea, Brian (May 23, 2025). "How Sega And Lizardcube Pulled Shinobi Out Of The Shadows". Game Informer. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  9. ^ Velocci, Carli (2023-12-08). "Everything announced at The Game Awards 2023". Digital Trends. Archived from the original on 2023-12-08. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  10. ^ Plant, Logan (2023-12-08). "The Game Awards 2023: Everything Announced". IGN. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  11. ^ Cripe, Michael (2025-02-12). "Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Gameplay Trailer Revealed at PlayStation State of Play". IGN. Archived from the original on 2025-05-03. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  12. ^ Doolan, Liam (2025-02-13). "Shinobi: Art Of Vengeance Brings 2D Ninja Action To Nintendo Switch This August". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
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