SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance

Presentation

SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance is a 2D action-platform game developed by Lizardcube with SEGA. It brings back Joe Musashi, the historic hero of the Shinobi series, in a new standalone story.

Joe leads the Oboro Clan, a community of ninjas that has protected peace from the shadows for generations. When the paramilitary organization ENE Corp, led by Lord Ruse, attacks his village, he sets out on a path of vengeance.

The game features a fully hand-drawn art direction, continuing Lizardcube's work on Streets of Rage 4. Its environments span more than a dozen stages, including villages, cities, military facilities, deserts and unusual sequences such as a run across a moving train.

Combat is built around fast combinations using the Oborozuki katana, kunai and numerous techniques. Moves can be chained together to keep enemies under pressure and build long attack sequences.

Each enemy also has an Execution Gauge. Once filled, Joe can trigger a Shinobi Execution to instantly finish the target. Several enemies prepared at the same time can be eliminated within a single execution.

Ninpo are special techniques powered by a dedicated gauge that fills during combat. They can be used offensively, defensively or to take advantage of specific situations.

Ninjutsu rely on another resource accumulated by collecting orbs dropped by enemies. Once charged, they unleash powerful attacks capable of affecting a large part of the screen.

Joe can also equip Amulets that modify or strengthen some of his abilities, allowing his combat style to be gradually customized.

Exploration is partly built around Ningi, ninja techniques and tools obtained throughout the adventure. Some are used in combat, while others allow Joe to overcome obstacles or open routes that were previously inaccessible.

This progression encourages players to revisit certain stages in order to reach new areas, complete platforming sections and uncover additional secrets.

Key points

• The return of Joe Musashi as the protagonist.
• A new standalone story in the Shinobi universe.
• The Oboro Clan faces the ENE Corp organization.
• Lord Ruse serves as the main antagonist.
• A fully 2D action-platform game.
• A hand-drawn art direction by Lizardcube.
• More than a dozen stages with varied environments.
• Fast combat built around the katana, kunai and combos.
• A Shinobi Execution capable of finishing multiple enemies.
• Ninpo powered by a dedicated gauge.
• Ninjutsu used as particularly powerful attacks.
• Amulets that strengthen different abilities.
• Ningi used for both combat and exploration.
• Certain new powers open previously inaccessible routes.
• Platforming, combat, secrets and exploration structure the stages.

Conclusion

SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance returns to the series' side-scrolling foundations while developing a much deeper combat system built around combos, different resources and executions.

Ninpo, Ninjutsu, Amulets and Ningi gradually give Joe Musashi more options, both for fighting enemies and exploring stages.

Lizardcube combines this structure with a hand-drawn presentation and progression that encourages mastery of movement as much as the search for hidden routes, while keeping Joe Musashi and the series' historic ninja identity at the center of the experience.

Good to know

SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance is developed by Lizardcube with SEGA and published by SEGA.

The game was released on August 29, 2025 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam.

A Nintendo Switch 2 version was released on September 24, 2026.

It is a single-player experience.

The game is neither a direct sequel nor a side story to a previous entry: Lizardcube and SEGA designed it as a new standalone adventure that can be played without prior knowledge of the earlier Shinobi games.

Its stated inspirations notably include The Revenge of Shinobi and Shinobi III, with several references, enemies and environments recalling earlier entries.

An update released in April 2026 added a Hardcore Mode, with altered damage, healing and enemy placement as well as new behavior for certain bosses.

The SEGA Villains Stage additional content, released on April 3, 2026, adds five crossover stages and battles against Goro Majima, Dr. Eggman and Death Adder, along with new Ninpo and cosmetic content.

The SEGA Villains Stage DLC is included in the Digital Deluxe Edition and can also be obtained through the Digital Deluxe Upgrade.

This entry focuses on Joe Musashi, the Oboro Clan, ENE Corp, the combo system, Shinobi Executions, Ninpo, Ninjutsu, Ningi and the exploration structure, without detailing every stage, boss or secret.