„Celeste was an inspiration” Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound demo is on Steam now

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During Summer Game Fest, I had the opportunity to test out an exhilarating new take on the popular action series, Ninja Gaiden. Although it wasn’t Ninja Gaiden 4 that I played, based on my experience, I believe this game could be just as amazing. Last year at The Game Awards, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound was unveiled as a modernized 2D side-scrolling platformer with pixel art reminiscent of the classic series. In a brief stint of around fifteen to twenty minutes playing the game with its director, I managed to get quite eager for what could be my first complete playthrough of any Ninja Gaiden game.

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound was inspired by a great indie puzzle platformer, Celeste

This game is enjoyable for anyone, not just fans of Ninja Gaiden, thanks to its engaging gameplay and storyline. While those familiar with Ninja Gaiden might catch more details, it’s worth noting that Ragebound appears to be set right after the initial Ninja Gaiden game. However, instead of following Ryu, the protagonist, we follow his student, Kenji Mozu, who is tasked with defending Hayabusa Village against a sudden demon attack. With Ryu having left for America, Kenji, still in training, finds himself struggling to protect the world from the Demon Lord.

In my time with the demo, I primarily spent it learning from Ryu as Kenji instead of battling many demons. This training session felt less like a tutorial and more like an engaging part of the game due to its well-balanced pace. I progressed smoothly from one skill to another, with each challenge becoming gradually tougher to prepare me for the rest of the game. Some fundamental aspects include attacking mid-air targets to gain additional jumps, hanging from the ceiling to move horizontally, and deflecting incoming projectiles. In many respects, the gameplay felt similar to a puzzle platformer, albeit with more action incorporated. At times, the difficulty lies not in defeating tough enemies but rather in navigating my path from one point to another.

In the tutorial’s conclusion, Kenji engages in a mock battle with Ryu. Although it appears scripted for him to lose, the game’s director hinted that, despite being tough, defeating Ryu in this fight is theoretically possible. Whether or not I’ll ever acquire the necessary skills to win remains uncertain, but I know some players will manage.

The director shared that the creation of Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound was influenced by the highly acclaimed and challenging indie platformer, Celeste, which hit the scene in 2018. Known for numerous reasons, but particularly its intricate platform puzzles that often required players to retry each level multiple times before mastering them, Celeste has left a lasting impression. Although Ragebound leans towards a more realistic visual style, it’s worth mentioning the impressive pixel art of Celeste. As I was informed, my suspicions were confirmed. While there was generally a safe landing spot in Ragebound, I encountered numerous instances during the tutorial where I had to retry multiple times. After completing my playthrough, I am most excited to return to the game for its platforming puzzles and challenges.

Currently on Steam, a demo for the game “Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound” is accessible. With approximately an hour’s worth of gameplay, it offers a more extensive experience compared to the fifteen minutes I got to play. Whether you’re a fan of the “Ninja Gaiden” series or not, it’s worth giving it a shot. Interestingly, Steam users can now write reviews for demos. As of now, “Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound” has garnered over 400 reviews, with 90% of them being positive.

If you’ve finished Ninja Gaiden 2 Black earlier this year and can’t wait for Ninja Gaiden 4 later on, Ragebound might be the ideal game to keep you occupied in the meantime. The release of Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is scheduled for July 31st on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam.

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2025-06-17 02:02