SEGA just tossed a surprise out there—or maybe it’s not quite a surprise if you’re really tuned in, but anyway—there’s a demo for this new game called Shinobi: Art of Vengeance. It’s one of those 2D action platformers, and if you’ve got a Nintendo Switch, head over to that eShop dealio and check it out. It’s free, after all. Who doesn’t love free stuff?
So, you’re thrown into this scene, Oboro Village. Picture this: enemies popping out everywhere and those maddening platforms you’ve got to bounce around on. I mean, it’s got that arcade vibe where you try to beat the high score. But here’s the catch—“the demo unlocks certain gameplay abilities that are normally obtained later in the full game.” So, it’s like a sneak peek into the future or something.
Oh, and get this—it’s all drawn in this striking style thanks to some cool collab with Lizardcube. The hero, Joe Musashi—yeah, classic name for a ninja, right?—comes home to utter chaos with his village torched and his clan turned into rocks. Why rocks? No clue, but it’s kinda chilling if you think about it.
Anyway—no wait, I was gonna tell you—Joe’s on this epic quest. Enemies everywhere, bosses that look like they jumped out of a comic book. And these hand-drawn worlds? They’re just eye candy. Plus, there’s a bunch of paths to wander through and discover, which feels like someone handing you a map and saying, “Go, explore!”
Oh, here’s the feature breakdown, just in case you’re nerding out as hard as I am:
First up, it’s a world packed with more than a dozen—who’s counting, right?—stages that are all flashy and different. Think military bases, deserts… you know, the usual playgrounds for a ninja. And puzzles, because nothing is ever simple, is it?
Then, there’s this ninja toolkit he’s got—a katana with a fancy name (Oborozuki), those pointy Kunai things, and all sorts of ninja arts. I feel like the more I talk about it, the more intense it sounds.
And, just when you think you’ve got a grip, there’s combos galore to unleash like you’re on an improv stage but with more slashing. Amulets, tools—it’s like a loot box of ninja goodness.
Mark your calendars or whatever, because Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is hitting the Nintendo eShop on August 29, 2025. Feels like they planned this ninja comeback perfectly, huh?
Anyway, there’s a trailer and some screenshots floating around too, probably worth a look if you’re still curious. Who knows what hidden gems are tucked in there.
