Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound: A Fresh Twist on Classic Action

In the world of gaming, 2025 is shaping up to be a big year for fans of Ninja Gaiden. This year, players will get to enjoy not one, but two new games in the franchise. The first is Ninja Gaiden 4, a highly anticipated sequel that has been a long time coming. The second is a bit of a surprise: Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, a 2D platformer-action game developed by the team behind the Blasphemous series. Ragebound stands out because it doesn't feature the usual star, Ryu Hayabusa. Instead, players will take control of Kenji Mozu, an apprentice of Ryu's and a member of the Hayabusa village ninja clan. But that's not all. The game also introduces Kumori, a kunoichi from a rival clan, adding a layer of intrigue and teamwork to the gameplay. Kenji and Kumori can play independently at times, but they can also team up to solve puzzles and tackle platforming challenges together. In a unique twist, they can even fuse their bodies to become a super-powered ninja. This fusion allows them to combine their skills and take on even greater challenges. Ryu is absent from much of Ragebound because he's off dealing with personal matters in America. In his absence, a rift between the demon world and our world opens, threatening Hayabusa village. This sets the stage for Kenji and Kumori to step up and save the day. Kenji has some impressive moves of his own. He can perform dashes and slashes, and his Guillotine Boost allows him to bounce off enemies and projectiles, launching him into the air. He can also perform Hypercharged Attacks, powerful slashes that can be charged up for a limited time. These moves are central to many of the game's platforming and combat challenges. Kumori, on the other hand, has the ability to interact with Demon Altars, which allow her to enter the demon world. This opens up new possibilities for puzzle-solving and platforming, as the two can switch back and forth between the two worlds to overcome challenges. Ragebound is a blend of old and new. It has a retro, 2D pixelated style that harks back to the classic 8-bit and 16-bit Ninja Gaiden games, but it also borrows elements from the more recent 3D games. The developers want the game to be tough but fair, unlike the notoriously difficult NES-era Ninja Gaiden releases. They also want to give players sprites that feel as agile and powerful as they do in the 3D installments. The gameplay is both challenging and satisfying. It has a generous learning curve that slowly introduces Kenji and Kumori's powers. The platforming and combat puzzles that require using their respective skill sets seem very well designed. It's clear that the developers are doing some clever and compelling things with 2D ninja action in Ragebound. Ragebound is set to release this summer on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. It's an exciting time for Ninja Gaiden fans, and Ragebound is sure to be a standout title in the franchise.