Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound Feels Like The 8-Bit Series Never Stopped

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Ninja Gaiden has been absent for quite some time, and if you’re a fan of the old 2D games on NES, it feels like an eternity. Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, published by Dotemu (Streets of Rage 4, TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge) and developed by The Game Kitchen (Blasphemous series), is a tribute to the past with modern touches. While Ragebound honors traditional game-making skills, it feels more like an advancement of the original 8-bit games rather than a complete overhaul. This game retains its identity as an action-platformer, acting as a thoughtful nod to classic Ninja Gaiden titles, continuing where they left off.

While playing extensively on Ragebound, I had the opportunity to test out a substantial portion from the initial phases of the game. This included a playable storyline segment, tutorial, followed by several stages brimming with intense combat and innovative mechanics, all aligning seamlessly with the traditional Ninja Gaiden vibe.

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In the game Ragebound, you predominantly assume the role of Kenji Mozu, an apprentice to the main character Ryu Hayabusa who stays behind to safeguard their village when Ryu travels to America. However, when a divide between the human and demon realms collapses, the village is attacked by demons, prompting Kenji to become the new guardian of the realm. As the narrative progresses, it introduces another main character: the Black Spider ninja Kumori. The Black Spider Clan were significant adversaries in later Team Ninja games, making this a link between the two time periods of the series.

In this game, the characters Kumori and Kenji each possess unique play styles that keep you constantly switching between their abilities. By merging into Kenji, Kumori grants the ability to move between physical and spirit realms freely. While Kenji wields a katana reminiscent of the originals, Kumori excels in throwing kunai blades. Kenji, an agile melee fighter, can bounce off enemies or projectiles mid-flight, but Kumori is more adept at ranged attacks. This disparity in abilities gives each character a distinct feel and allows you to transition into the spirit realm to overcome platforming challenges and combat scenarios that Kenji alone cannot handle.

Kenji and Kumori possess an extraordinary skill known as Hypercharge: a potent attack with unique characteristics. Defeating adversaries amplifies this special ability, but similar to a combo system, the charge resets if you’re struck. This adds an element of strategy to combat, as you must decide whether to deploy the Hypercharge immediately or save it for a more formidable opponent. Both Kenji’s sword and Kumori’s knives enhance this power, but when apart, you only command half of your combined abilities. This gameplay mechanism subtly conveys that they are at their best when united, even though they harbor mutual dislike.

In the opening stages, these two historical adversaries frequently engage in hostile exchanges, revealing their deep-seated prejudices and animosities. Kenji appears calm and composed, while Kumori is hot-tempered and filled with anger. The narrative device of enemies becoming allies is a common one, but this game manages it effectively, set against the backdrop of a Japan teeming with demons. This dynamic adds depth to the characters and provides a unique opportunity for a Black Spider ninja to emerge as a hero.

Early on, these age-old foes often trade barbs and display their bitter grudges, reflecting their deep-rooted biases. Kenji maintains his composure, while Kumori is consistently enraged. The tale’s trope of enemies bonding is frequently used, but this game handles it skillfully amidst a fantastical Japanese landscape filled with demons. This dynamic enriches the characters and offers a Black Spider ninja an uncommon chance to shine as a hero.

In a refreshingly familiar fashion, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound aligns perfectly with the challenging Nintendo games of yesteryears. The original Ninja Gaiden series was renowned for its demanding platforming precision. While Ragebound appears to be less unyielding than its predecessors, it seems to maintain the same skill-testing action-platforming spirit based on my initial playthrough. From the feel of the jumps to the swiftness of your sword, the mechanics resonate with the originals, offering a nostalgic yet inviting gaming experience for longtime fans like myself.

In keeping with the collaboration between this publisher and game developer, you’ll find the pixel art to be typically stunning. The settings lean towards the darker side, not as bright as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, yet not as gloomy as Blasphemous. Characters are relatively smaller compared to their surroundings, but their actions are easily discernible. The yokai designs are particularly impressive, maintaining a traditional look while incorporating vivid colors that seem deliberately out of place against the more realistic backdrop.

This summer, the highly anticipated game, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, will be available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.

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2025-04-16 18:09