Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a brand-new side-scrolling action platformer from the team behind Blasphemous. While the Ninja Gaiden series has been dormant for quite some time, fans are being treated to not just one but two new entries in a single year. Ragebound arrives first as a spin-off, with a proper mainline entry, Ninja Gaiden 4, set to release later.
Ragebound serves more as a side story to the main series, following Kenji, a young ninja trained by the legendary Ryu Hayabusa. The story itself is fairly straightforward, with Kenji completing his training only to be thrown into a desperate fight for survival while Ryu pursues his own adventures. What stands out most is the dynamic between Kenji and Kumori, a member of the Black Spider clan. Their constant banter brings personality and life to an otherwise grim and bleak world, making their interactions a highlight of the experience.
The game is beautifully animated in an old-school pixel style, with striking cutscenes and detailed backgrounds. The controls are fluid and reward players who take the time to master the finer points of combat, though the default difficulty is balanced well enough for regular players too. After finishing the main story, which is not very long, an additional hard mode unlocks. This mode remixes level layouts and enemy placements, essentially creating a fresh experience, though the tougher difficulty might be overwhelming for those who just want a more casual run.
Gameplay centers on a straightforward hack-and-slash system, but it is layered with mechanics like parrying and dodging. Abilities such as the Hypercharge system keep players from simply button-mashing, pushing them instead to time attacks and manage resources carefully. Responsive controls make combat satisfying, while platforming is enhanced by moves like the Guillotine Boost, which doubles as both an evasive maneuver and an attack. The game clearly caters to speedrunners, and while I could see myself replaying it multiple times for that reason, my single playthrough felt satisfying enough to call it a day.
The soundtrack of Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is excellent, blending iconic tracks from the series with new music that pays homage to its roots. The art style is another highlight, with gorgeous sprite work that makes everything look beautiful. Performance on PC is excellent, and the ability to swap costumes, which are reflected in-game, is a nice touch. While the art style may not be groundbreaking, it has enough variation to stand out among other games in the genre.
I have not played many of the older platformers, particularly the Shinobi series, but I still enjoyed my time with Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound. The game has strong replay value, encouraging another run either through speedrunning or tackling the harder difficulty. Its fluid and responsive controls make replaying genuinely appealing. Boss fights are well-designed and never feel like a chore, while the ranking system, collectibles, and hidden secrets add even more to the overall experience.
Newcomers will likely find the game excellent, but longtime fans may come away a little disappointed. The lack of weapon variety and a story that feels somewhat like filler might not sit well with everyone. Still, these flaws are minor compared to the strengths of the gameplay, which easily overshadows them. The team behind Blasphemous has given Ninja Gaiden fans one of the strongest entries in the franchise in years, and they deserve a lot of credit for it.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a polished and fluid side-scroller that delivers on its combat and platforming, offering a satisfying experience for both newcomers and speedrunners. While some fans may find the lack of weapon variety and a filler-like story disappointing, the game’s responsive controls, beautiful pixel art, and strong replay value make it a worthy addition to the franchise.
