Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound — the Perfect Retro Reimagining of a Cult Series

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound — is a modern reimagining of the classic series. The series is experiencing a new resurgence: the last main installment was released over ten years ago, but three new games are scheduled by the end of 2025. Two of them are in 3D: a remaster of Ninja Gaiden II and Ninja Gaiden 4, created in collaboration with PlatinumGames and set for release in October. Additionally, a new 2D game has emerged.

The current release is a retro platformer with side-scrolling gameplay from Dotemu and the studio behind Blasphemous. In Ragebound, players control Kenji Moza — a young ninja trained by the legendary Ryu Hayabusa. At the beginning of the game, Kenji masters the spirit of Kumori, a member of the hostile Black Spider clan. This adds throwing kunai to his arsenal and temporarily allows him to control the spirit in special scenes.

As players progress through levels, they battle hordes of enemies trying to impede their movement. Most enemies can be defeated with a single strike, but some larger foes require multiple attacks. To quickly eliminate such monsters, players can activate a super attack that instantly destroys them, hitting nearby enemies with a light aura. Turquoise light indicates that the enemy should be defeated with a sword, while purple means to throw a kunai. This creates interesting combinations and enhances the dynamics of combat.

Bosses — massive monsters — usually require special tactics. Fortunately, the game features a help mode that can be activated at any moment to reduce difficulty, lessen damage, or escape tough situations. I particularly enjoyed exploring the levels, which are painted in vibrant pixel graphics and set in creative locations, such as pirate caves or construction sites. The game also hides collectible items — scarabs that unlock upgrades and scrolls for accessing secret levels.

The soundtrack is filled with heavy guitar, synthesizers, and drums, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of heroic action from the 90s. The only drawbacks are the plot and script, which are not as strong as the gameplay dynamics. It's odd to hear Kumori, a cool ninja, start a level with the phrase "oh dear." But this is not significant — the game has its grotesque atmosphere, particularly in a scene where you escape on a jet ski from a military boat.

In a sense, the weak plot enhances the uniqueness of Ragebound. At a time when many retro action games deserve attention, this game demonstrates why the Ninja Gaiden series is special. After nearly six hours of gameplay, I feel that I could love other games in the series — and even if not, Ragebound is a very interesting gaming experience on its own.

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is already available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.