CLASSIC NINJA ACTION

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a slick, stylish throwback to classic action platformers, blending old-school challenge with modern flair in Joe Musashi's sharp-edged quest for revenge.

- BY ZELDA LEE

I've got a soft spot for games that know exactly what they are. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance doesn't pretend to be a sprawling open-world epic or a Soulslike clone, but a lean, stylish throwback to a very specific kind of action platformer the sort you grew up playing on the SNES or Mega Drive but reimagined with enough modern touches to make it sharper. I spent a few weeks slicing through levels, dying a lot, learning to chain combos, and getting far too invested in seeing Joe Musashi take revenge on the shadowy ENE Corp. And you know what? I had such a blast.

For someone who played the original Super Shinobi I and II, the first thing that struck me was how immediately familiar it felt. Joe starts with just a katana, a few kunai, and a dash. The game throws you into its first mission with no fuss, teaching you through action rather than tutorials. You quickly learn to respect the game's pace: rush in swinging and you'll get punished, but stay patient and the combat becomes this satisfying rhythm game of slashes, dodges, and well-timed finishers.