Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Shinobi delivers a razor-sharp hack-and-slash experience that is both relentless and rewarding. Over the course of eight levels—each split into two distinct sections—you’ll guide Hotsuma through a gauntlet of undead warriors, mechanized foes, and towering bosses. The emphasis is squarely on fluid combat: there are no fetch quests, no puzzles to solve, just pure ninja slaughter from start to finish.

The control scheme is intuitive yet deep. You can dash, attack, jump, and throw shurikens with simple button presses, but mastering Hotsuma’s true power requires chaining together combos on the fly. A lock-on feature lets you focus on multiple enemies at once, enabling midair flips and devastating aerial assaults. As your combo meter climbs, each move becomes more visually spectacular and more lethal.

Level design reinforces the game’s breakneck pace. Vertical shafts, hidden alcoves, and environmental traps keep you on your toes, while the placement of minibosses and checkpoints is generally fair yet challenging. If you die, you’ll restart at the last checkpoint with most of your combo intact, encouraging you to push forward and perfect your run rather than giving up in frustration.

Graphics

Shinobi’s graphics artfully blend modern-day Tokyo with dark, mystical elements. Neon-lit cityscapes provide a vibrant backdrop for each stage, while subtle post-processing effects—smoke, sparks, blood splatters—accentuate the intensity of combat. The contrast between bright billboards and shadowy alleys reinforces the game’s themes of light versus darkness.

Character models and animations are fluid and expressive. Hotsuma’s movements are deliberate and adrenaline-fueled, from his lightning-fast dashes to the elegant arcs of his shuriken throws. Enemy designs range from skeletal warriors to cybernetic samurai, each boasting unique idle poses and attack patterns that stand out in the chaos.

Performance remains stable throughout, even when dozens of foes fill the screen. Frame rate dips are rare, and load times between sections are kept to a minimum, ensuring you stay immersed in the action. Whether you’re playing on a high-definition display or a standard setup, Shinobi’s visuals are crisp, dynamic, and a perfect match for its breakneck gameplay.

Story

After years of anticipation, Shinobi returns with a lean yet memorable storyline. A mysterious evil has descended on Tokyo, raising the dead and corrupting the city’s pulse. Hotsuma, sole survivor of the Obura Clan, must avenge his fallen brethren and thwart the malevolent force spreading across the urban sprawl.

The narrative unfolds through brief cutscenes and in-game dialogue, striking a balance between minimalism and intrigue. You learn that Hotsuma’s fallen clansmen now stand against him, puppeted by a dark power that threatens to consume everything he once held dear. Each boss encounter peels back another layer of the conspiracy, fueling your drive to press on.

Though not heavy on exposition, Shinobi’s story is propelled by its atmospheric setting and compelling revenge motif. The emotional weight comes through in Hotsuma’s silent resolve and the eerie familiarity of battlefield memorials scattered throughout Tokyo’s rooftops. It’s a simple tale of vengeance, but one told with style and enough twists to keep players invested.

Overall Experience

Shinobi is a triumphant return for the series, offering a focused, adrenaline-pumping adventure that fans have craved. Its tight controls, elegant combo system, and relentless pace make each level feel like a test of skill and reflexes. For those willing to embrace its difficulty curve, the game delivers immense satisfaction with every flawless run.

While it may be short by modern standards, replayability comes from chasing higher combo scores, uncovering hidden passages, and tackling optional challenges. The lack of side missions or collectibles keeps the experience streamlined, ensuring that every moment is spent in the thick of battle rather than on mundane errands.

Ultimately, Shinobi excels as an action-oriented ninja title. It may not reinvent the wheel, but it refines every aspect of the classic formula: visceral combat, striking visuals, and just enough story to give your swordplay purpose. If you’re looking for a game that demands precision, rewards mastery, and never lets up on the gas, Shinobi is exactly what you’ve been waiting for.

Retro Replay Score

7.1/10