Platform(s): PC (version reviewed), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch
Genre: Action, Adventure, 2D, Retro Revival

Back in the late 80s and 90s, video game company Sega was at its prime with its gaming library, arcade domination, and first-party console offerings that made even juggernaut Nintendo quake their boots at the time. These days, the now third-party giant Sega is still keeping themselves relevant with both new entries and game series, as well as tapping into the classics-filled well time and again. See the Streets of Rage sequel during the pandemic era and the upcoming Virtua Fighter title for proof of its current trajectory.

You can add in the Shinobi series now, as Sega is bringing its classic ninja hero guy Joe Musashi back after a supposed retirement (since 2011) for a 2025 2D action title. And by golly, it’s everything you want out of a classic game revival that’s just a straight-up sequel.

Ninja Story

The game’s plot is a sequel to the past games with Sega ninja legend Joe Musashi. He formed his own Oboro ninja clan, students and all, and has a wife who is expecting. However, all that went south when an evil entity called Lord Ruse and his E.N.E corporation wreak havoc onto the village, believing the ninja clan to be a huge threat to his expansion. So off Joe goes to murder a ton of enemy ninjas, soldiers, demons, and bio-freaks as the title says: doing vengeance.

Shinobi: AoV is half an action game, half a search action title, and half a hack-and-slash rushdown title. You progress through stages, some of them in any order, and go from left to right to the exit to meet and kill the capstone boss. Stages are pretty expansive as the game progresses, with some encouraging repeat visits after getting certain abilities. The levels are straightforward with clear objectives and end goals, but you can go off the beaten path to uncover secrets, fight off optional elite mobs for bonuses, or collect Oboro Relics to unlock more shopkeeper-sold power-ups. Yellow parts of the map are important locations you need to go to, while purple highlights are secrets and optional bits, leading to treasure and collectibles.

All of this is optional; you can just beeline straight to the finish line if you’re skilled enough, but these power-ups and bonuses do help a lot. See, Shinobi: AoV throws a lot of enemies at you, and even the obligatory encounter rooms where you clear waves of enemies. Joe’s regular skillset allows him to combo enemies with light and heavy slashes, as well as throw shurikens to stun them further. Filling up their stun meter makes a special red kanji appear above their head. This means they’re ripe for a fast and cool-looking execution which you activate by pressing the L1 and R1 button together. You get bigger health and money rewards for chain-executing multiple enemies, and it never gets old doing it over and over.

It’s also useful when dealing with bigger enemies with huge health but small stun meters; enemies in Shinobi: AoV hit hard and can dogpile you if you’re not careful. Ergo, buying extra skills and moves like better Light/Heavy sword combos that stun easily as well as air juggle moves can make combat a bit more manageable. Coupled with Ninpo attacks -special moves that uses Ninpo energy bar like fire breath and thunder strikes that deal more stun- and super-powerful Ninjutsu attacks & skills like the screen-hitting Kirin fire dragon move and the full health-giving Water Scroll Ninjutsu, and you have an awesome toolset that makes combat a joy to get into.

There are even passive power-ups Joe can equip that activate if his combo count is high enough; as long as you don’t get hit by enemies, you can rack them up higher and pursue bigger cumulative bonuses like extra damage or faster Rage meter collection for your Ninjutsu. It’s a hybrid of the Sega Megadrive Shinobi two-fer games (Super Shinobi and Super Shinobi 2), the PlayStation 2 Shinobi and Nightshade entries, and this generation’s crop of Metroidvania titles.

Fortunately, this combination neither fizzles nor feels bloated; it’s just right. Not only does the smooth controls and spot-on jumping and sword-slashing make the fighting an element to look forward to (either for all-out killing or styling), but Shinobi: AoV throws in awesomely-designed platforming puzzles and obstacle courses. From the regular stages to the Ankou Rifts that throws in the most devilish platforming designs ever that require you to use your Ningi (traversal) skills to the fullest, you have a lot to do as a fast-paced ninja that will keep you challenged and entertained.

Having said that, there are avenues for exploitation in Shinobi: AoV’s combat. There are one or two moves that can destroy armour and stun enemies super-quick with little repercussion and execution. Though to be fair, you can only buy these moves if you’re dilligent with your Oboro Relics-collecting and when you’re close to the final few stages. Also, a good number of the platforming requires so much precision and good timing that I won’t be surprised if you throw your controller out of frustration at some of these offerings. The throwback bonus stages -like the one in the field with the dog and the one with the surfboarding- feel haphazardly thrown together and feels awkward to control. It’s not a huge dealbreaker, but it’s weird that these two bonus stages don’t play as smooth and precisely as the rest of the title.

Shuriken? Sure You Can!

It’s a long time coming, but Sega and Lizard Cube have done the Shinobi name proud with this 2025 2D action offering. With meaty and satisfying gameplay that triggers your dopamine when you’re in a flow state of keeping the combo count high, loads of challenges both environmental and adversarial, & an immaculate art style and soundtrack, there’s a lot to love in this next herald to the 2025 ninja game throne.

Time will tell if this is better than Koei Tecmo’s recent 2D ninja game. However, I can confidently say that the one true Shinobi is back and better than ever. You’ve been missed, Joe Musashi, and the video game action landscape is all the better for your comeback.

Pros

• Lovely aesthetics & style.
• Fun gameplay mechanics and smooth controls.
• Great level design and open-ended stages (with checkpoints and fast travel).
• Challenging boss fights & bonus stages.

Cons

• Some moves can break combat (late game).
• Auto-scroll bonus stages feel a bit off control-wise.

Final Score: 90/100

Review copy provided by publisher.