Washed Millennial Gamer: Shinobi: Art of Vengeance

How I’ve Missed You, Sensei Joe Musashi

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance’s Arcade Mode (unlocks after beating the campaign)

Shinobi & I happened to find one another by accident, many years ago. While over my uncle’s house, my cousin & I used to horse around practically every time my family visited for a Sunday cookout. I didn’t attain a Sega Genesis until my brother gave me his after awhile, which gave me the opportunity to play my favorite Shinobi game of all time, which is Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master.

The first level of Shinobi III

From the tight controls, tough (but fair) platforming, thrilling score & excellent boss fight, it was my first foray into a game that’s not a Mario or Sonic. Even after 33 years of its original release on the Genesis, it’s influences endures, especially with the latest installment of the long-running franchise now available on XBOX Series S|X, PlayStation 5 & Nintendo Switch.

This game doesn’t have “difficult spikes” but you may die a lot, by not paying attention or getting overwhelmed.

Art of Vengeance’s story features the return of the series regular protagonist, Joe Musashi. Now married with his pregnant wife, Naoko (originally in Return of Shinobi) & presumably, his travels of saving the world from terror are over. But, of course, it’s never that simple, as his dojo & home are destroyed by the ENE Corporation. Joe, leaving family behind, has to once again go to work, saving the world once again.

Story in Shinobi games don’t amount to much in the grand scheme, throughout the series. The things in each title are as silly as they are tense through precise timing & tight combat for the player to master & this latest game is no exception. It’s a high-octane thrill ride for those looking for something that predates Gen Z gamers.

Art of Vengeance is a Metroidvania like prior games that venture in world that’s non-linear, giving the player the freedom to navigate the massive world as they see fit. If you enjoy attempting to “fine tooth comb” a stage to 100% an area, you’re in luck. And, luckily, because this latest game is such an ode to its predecessors, it’s never tiring nor repetitive; there’s a lot to do in that world.

Having just returned to the game after a 3.5 month hiatus (I’m old & tired), it’s pickup & play, without losing much, in terms of muscle memory. You’re going to get frustrated at attempting optional Ankou Rifts (there’s 10 of them throughout the game, where beating all ten, grants the player the Dark Katana) & other hard sections of the game. It’s old-school gaming in a modern era (infinite continues for the win) but it always holds the player accountable, even as you screw up one too many times.

The first boss fight in Art of Vengeance

Boss fights, like Kozaru, also hold the player to a fair standard. While they’re challenging, they never doze into throw-controller-at-a-window variety, which is something you should never do, for the record. I love the variety in each bout, giving you the opportunity to prepare your attacks, adjusting for the bosses patterns. Same thing goes for the common enemies, albeit, stay ready for the armored enemy types (rely on power-ups acquired throughout the game to master segments).

Art of Vengeance’s composer Tee Lopes

The music from Tee Lopes (Streets of Rage 4) & returning Shinobi composer Yuzo Koshiro is vintage Shinobi. Not quite as good as the third game from long ago, but it’s always high-tempo, just like the mechanics of the game, itself. As a fan of video game scores, I just hope I acquire this soundtrack, at some point.

All in All, Art of Vengeance is a bit of the same but better in the current generation for games, overall. If you love hand-drawn, smoothly animated 2D backgrounds, you’ll love this game, as I do its inviting combat, weaponry & old-school feels.

Good to have you back, Joe.