Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound brings modern sensibilities to a retro formula

2025 promises a significant milestone for the Ninja Gaiden series, with the unveiling of no less than three new games following a hiatus of more than ten years. One of these upcoming games is Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, which harks back to the franchise’s 2D origins. I had the opportunity to try out Ragebound at Summer Game Fest, and it appears that it’s blending old-school mechanics with contemporary innovation.

For those who fondly remember the classic Tecmo games, or simply enjoy retro-style side-scroller games, the nostalgic visuals of Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound are sure to bring a grin to their faces. In line with current trends, particularly among indie developers, Ragebound updates the pixel art style using a broad and vivid spectrum of colors.

As a gamer diving into Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, I’m not just impressed by the updated visuals; the modernization also extends to the controls. You know that frustration when revisiting old games and finding the controls feel clunky or imprecise? Well, that’s a thing of the past with Ragebound. Every move feels responsive and precise, making the fast-paced juggling act between platforming and combat a thrilling challenge, not an unfair struggle.

In Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, we follow Kenji Mozu, a fresh hero taking over when demonic peril strikes Hayabusa Village while Ryu is away. It’s intriguing to see the series veteran temporarily step aside for a newcomer like Kenji, who acts as a stand-in for players as they get reacquainted with this world, its history, and mechanics.

At Summer Game Fest Play Days, I had a go at three games published by Dotemu – Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, Marvel Cosmic Invasion, and Absolum. Out of these, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound was the one that really got me hooked and left me eager for more, especially with Ninja Gaiden 4 launching this fall!

This sneak peek comes from a preliminary demonstration we witnessed during the Summer Game Fest: Play Days event. Please note that the finished item may still undergo changes.

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2025-06-16 18:57