Sega has announced Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, a new entry in the company’s classic action series, during Sony’s first State of Play of 2025. The game will be coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC (Steam), PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on August 29.
Back After Over a Decade
Shinobi is a traditional action series by Sega that started as an arcade game in 1987. Ever since then, there have been multiple releases, but the last one was the 3DS revival back in 2011. After almost 14 years, Sega is giving it a new release on modern systems.
Pocket Power: The G.G. Shinobi
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a brand-new 2D action game developed by Lizardcube, which were responsible for Streets of Rage 4 and Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap. The game will feature a hand-drawn artstyle with fluid animation for its challenging battles.
In the game, the legendary shinobi Joe Musashi will depart on a journey of vengeance after his clan is turned to stone and his village is burned to the ground. It’ll be necessary to advance through many stages, which promise to be stylish and colorful.
According to the Steam page, there will be over a dozen stages to explore, ranging from military bases to a scorching desert. These places will not only feature enemies and bosses that demand attention and reflexes, but also other obstacles, such as platforming puzzles, and secret elements that will demand players to explore the area more than what initially meets the eye.
Some parts of the gameplay are showcased in the announcement trailer, which was revealed during Sony’s State of Play on February 12. It showcases fluid combat animation with a strong sense of motion and damage. It’s also possible to see Joe using claws to have a grip on walls, climbing them and avoiding falls by hanging on to platforming sections.
Joe Musashi will have many options to use as his arsenal, including his katana (the great Oborozuki), kunai, Ninjutsu arts and Ninpo. There’ll be many combo opportunities, amulets that enhance his skills, and special tools called Ningi, which should provide ways to overcome obstacles and discover new paths.
The game is already available for pre-order on all systems except for Switch. Physical releases will also be available and pre-orders for those should open later as well. On the digital storefronts, however, players can already pick either the standard version or a Digital Deluxe edition.
People willing to get the more robust pack will get access to the game earlier than others by three days. It’ll also include multiple rewards including a Ghost Outfit, Medic Lite Amulet, digital artbook and soundtrack, and some in-game upgrade currency. As part of the Season Pass, it’ll also include the Sega Villains Stage downloadable content, an add-on planned for early 2026.
By pre-ordering the digital deluxe edition, players will also get the Original Arcade Outfit, Joe’s traditional black garb as opposed to his new white one. There will also be a Fortune Hunter Amulet, which going by the name, should be helpful in getting more currency in the game.
Review: Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
Ninja Gaiden 2 is back, but is this the ultimate version we’ve been hoping for or does it need more time in the dojo?
