GO NINJA, GO NINJA, GO!
If you are a fan of incredible ninja-stylings in your video games then 2025 is shaping up to be a banner year for you and also me! We have already seen the incredible Ninja Gaiden 2 Black drop earlier this year but then we got the announcement of Ninja Gaiden 4 coming. Let’s not forget about Shinobi: Art of Vengeance or the fact that Assassin’s Creed Shadows also delivered on ninja action. Yes sir, it’s a good time to be a ninja fan, we are getting a retro style Ninja Gaiden game from The Game Kitchen. I was lucky enough to get my hands on the Steam Next Fest demo early, and man do I love being a turt—a ninja.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound takes the series back to its early 80’s and 80’s roots, side-scrolling, side-slashing, one-hit, ninja action. But unlike those games from my youth Ragebound doesn’t actually star Dragon Ninja, Ryu Hayabusa but instead Dragon Ninja trainee and series newcomer Kenji and Spider Clan ninja, Kumori. “But Terrence” I hear you say, “The Dragon and Spider Clan’s being a war is a big part of these games” and you would not be wrong. Something happens that requires these enemies to work together for the greater good, but the demo skips over what caused it and how the two end up being one.
The demo starts off with players going through a training session with Ryu, this acts as the basic tutorial and shows players how to attack, dodge and the like. This all culminates in a sparring session with Ryu, during which it is entirely possible to beat him, I am almost certain of it but I need to ‘git gud’ cuz he whipped me like a rented mule and to add insult to injury finished it off with the cleanest 2D version of the Izuna Drop I have ever seen. What follows is 3 various levels that players can play from the full version, beginning with the Dragon Clan village being under attack by demons.
The latter levels allow players to experience a bit of Kumori’s gameplay style. While players will be able to control her, it’s only in certain areas where the area is blocked. Kenji will merge with a demon pod and it allows Kumori to become physical. While the demo doesn’t explain how exactly the two ninjas end up entwined, I am glad that it allowed us to see how they both will help each other through the levels. In addition to her ability to become physical for a limited time, Kumori can toss out kunai in any direction to attack and to activate levers for puzzles. She can also toss out scythes to help attack enemies that Kenji couldn’t otherwise reach.
Ragebound is a side-scrolling action game so players will attack with their swords mainly vs the many demons. Most enemies die in one hit but some will need some extra ‘oomph’. Players will notice that some enemies will have a glow about them, when killed they will power up Kenji’s attack temporarily allowing him to defeat an armored enemy or clear a path blocking the environment. There are hints at other abilities and attacks to come in the full game, which is exciting.
Like I said at the start, fans of ninja games are eating good this year and Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is going to be another one to keep your eye one. The nice thing is that fans won’t have to wait long to get a taste as the demo will be live on Steam for Next Fest on June 9th. I loved this little slice and it definitely whet my appetite for more.
Preview copy of game provided by publisher.
