Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound Review – A Thrilling Ride That Ends Too Soon
▼ Summary
– Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound shifts focus from extreme difficulty to offering a compelling combat toolkit, tight platforming, and a strong case for continuing the series in 2D.
– The game stars Kenji Mozu, a ninja apprentice who defends his village from demons, using abilities like the Guillotine Boost and Hypercharged Attacks.
– Kenji gains enhanced abilities by fusing with Kumori, adding projectile options and powerful Ragebound Arts, with customizable moves and perks via an in-game shop.
– The game features structured levels with clear enemy placement and replay value, including optional challenges for higher difficulty and rankings.
– Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound excels in presentation with fluid animations, nostalgic music, and sharp visuals, offering a well-rounded and enjoyable experience.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound delivers a masterclass in 2D action-platforming, blending razor-sharp combat with fluid movement and a fresh take on the beloved franchise. While it doesn’t reach the brutal difficulty of its predecessors, the game carves its own identity with polished mechanics, deep customization, and a satisfying loop of skill mastery.
Players step into the shoes of Kenji Mozu, a young ninja from the Hayabusa clan thrust into a demonic invasion. Armed with a katana and acrobatic prowess, Kenji’s moveset feels instantly familiar yet refined. His Guillotine Boost, a mid-air slash that propels him off enemies, becomes the backbone of both combat and traversal, turning every encounter into a dance of precision. Add Hypercharged Attacks, which trade health for devastating strikes, and battles demand both aggression and strategy.
The game’s true brilliance emerges when Kenji merges with Kumori, a rival ninja whose spirit grants ranged attacks and screen-clearing Ragebound Arts. This fusion expands combat possibilities, letting players tailor their approach with unlockable talismans and alternate abilities. Want kunai that pierce armor or a healing super move? The choice is yours.
Level design is meticulously crafted, with enemy placements that encourage replayability. Early runs might net a B-rank, but mastery unlocks paths to S-tier perfection. For veterans craving punishment, optional debuffs crank up the challenge without feeling unfair. Checkpoints are generous, and load times are near-instant, keeping the action flowing.
Visually, Ragebound is a love letter to classic ninja games, blending pixel-perfect sprites with animations that telegraph every attack. The soundtrack nods to the series’ 8-bit roots while injecting modern energy, creating an atmosphere that’s both nostalgic and fresh.
If there’s a flaw, it’s the campaign’s brevity, clocking in at six to eight hours. Yet hidden collectibles, side missions, and score-chasing extend the fun. Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound isn’t just a revival; it’s a standout entry that proves the franchise’s 2D roots still cut deep.
Available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, this is a must-play for action fans. Whether you’re a longtime Hayabusa devotee or a newcomer, Ragebound’s blend of style and substance makes it a blade worth wielding.
(Source: Polygon)
