Distributor provided a review copy.
I didn't play Ninja Gaiden until well into my teens. Before that, in the mid- to late-90s, my nerves were shattered by NES and SNES titles like Rush'N'Attack and Ghosts and Goblins. Equally silly, but no less hard. But they did their best to prepare me for the onslaught of violence that tested reflexes and patience with every new game.
A few decades later, after laying dormant for some time, Ninja Gaiden returns in the hands of The Game Kitchen, the side-scrolling maestros behind the wonderful Blasphemous series. In a way, it's a perfect marriage of material and artist, even as both Blasphemous titles have leaned heavily on slower and more deliberate action than the frenetic hack'n'slashing of Ragebound.
Not that you could tell from the end result. Ragebound feels like a quintessential Ninja Gaiden game from beginning to end. A gorgeously realized nostalgia trip with enough modern quality of life updates to feel timeless.
The story takes place at the same time as the original Ninja Gaiden, which might prompt you to ask: Hang on, Ninja Gaiden has a story? Yes, in a way, it's there, and no, it doesn't really matter. It's mostly an excuse to unleash imaginative carnage through a series of increasingly 80s themed levels. You've got penthouse dwelling Yakuza's, ninjas and demons haunting forests, a motorcycle level through sewers, you name it. It's like a sushi train of every tested trope you can remember, and for an audience of a certain age, it's beyond delicious.
Ryu Hayabusa (the hero of the original series) is off to America to avenge his father, while the new hero, Kenji Mozu, steps in to protect Hayabusa village in the interim. He meets with Kumori, a ninja of the rival Black Spider Clan, and with both of their backs against the wall, decides to join forces for the greater good.
From there, the duo work as a kind of double act, with Kumori's being tied to Mozu's. When they're not sharing powers or unleashing devastating combo attacks, Kumori and Mozu spend their time bickering and one-upping each other, despite being unable to separate. It's cute, if not wholly original.
But more than that, it gives a natural and good reason for some of the storytelling to unfold. Instead of long-winded cut scenes, we get some well-placed and precise bits of revealing dialog, just enough to keep us engaged between mayhem. Their powers are complementary as well, with Muzo being the traditional swordsman, while Kumori can aim in any direction with her kunai.
Most enemies die from a single hit, while larger beasts will require a bit more pummeling. Some carry an aura that, upon death, transfers to the heroic duo. With it, they can unleash a Hypercharge, a devastating attack that kills pretty much anything with a single stroke. Gather enough charge, and you can unleash a larger version utilizing both of the heroes in action. Sometimes, if used right, it can take out entire bosses with one go.
Similarly, platforming comes with added features, like the Guillotine Boost. This works like a double jump, only based off an attack that requires precise timing to get right. After jumping toward an enemy, a second click of the button causes Mozu to spin with his sword, effectively bouncing off the creature for a second jump, while also causing damage. Experienced players will have no problems chaining these attacks together even during boss fights, while newcomers will find it a helpful way for getting out of trouble when the going gets tough.
Survival means figuring out how and when to use each power, but also how to navigate the world with two sets of traversal skills in strictly linear, but superbly crafted side-scrolling missions. When death does occur – and it does often – Ragebound is surprisingly lenient with the aftermath. Checkpoints appear often, and there's barely any load times before you're back in the action.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a beautiful, beautiful game. It hits the perfect midway point between retro and modern, using current technology to emulate a sense of old-school nostalgia. None of the machines of the past could have run a game like this, but it doesn't really matter. On a purely emotional level it feels just right.
The soundtrack, likewise, is a delightful throwback to 80s aesthetics, full of synth riffs and heavy on the guitar solos. It's cheesy and always set to 11, which is precisely as it should be.
Happily, Dotemu and The Game Kitchen have understood that pure nostalgia isn't enough today. Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is only as difficult as it needs to be. For those looking for an old-school challenge, it delivers just that and maybe even a bit more with extra challenges for every level, including secret missions and collectibles hidden away at every turn.
But for newcomers and those of us who aren't as spry as we once were, Ragebound offers a wealth of great accessibility settings that help tone down the difficulty and reflex-busting speed. It's a great bit of game design that understands the target audience. No stupid gatekeeping here. Instead, everyone is welcome to join the fun.
I tested Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound on the Switch 2 in both docked and handheld modes, and both worked without a hitch. I saw no stuttering or slowdowns at any point, and the smartly designed, minimalist UI was easy to read even on the smaller screen.
As far as a gaming-on-the-go title, Ragebound is one of the best out there. It's perfect for pick-up-and-play sessions, and the short length makes for some great repeat sessions to find every hidden item.
For fans of the series, Ragebound is a perfect continuation of the classic Ninja Gaiden style, while newcomers will delight in the retro aesthetics and accessible difficulty settings. It's the perfect starter dish while we wait for the upcoming Ninja Gaiden 4, and hopefully a sign of even greater things to come.
