Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound Review

When Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound was first announced, longtime fans of the franchise had reason to be worried. The series is famous for its punishing difficulty and razor-sharp combat design, but it's infamous for its attempts at revivals. The reins of the development this time went to The Game Kitchen, the indie studio behind Blasphemous. Could a studio known for its dark and punishing Metroidvanias handle an iconic franchise like Ninja Gaiden. I'm happy to channel my inner Stone Cold Steve Austin and say OH HELL YEAH!

The story is set decades after the main protagonist Ryu Hayabusa's prime. Ragebound puts players in control of Kenji Mozu. He is a skilled student who is thrust into the responsibility of protecting his village. Early in the game, Kenji's soul is fused with a Kumori, a kunoichi from the rival Black Spider Clan. This partnership grants him access to new abilities like kunai barrages, teleportation, and devastating Ragebound Arts. The story shocked me for its characterization and high stakes. The game makes sure to give enough characterization to Kenji and Kumori to make you have a connection to both characters. The high stakes of demons trying to enter their world by collecting a few crystals is the setup for the story. The story is fun, engaging, and surprisingly has some deep character moments.

In terms of gameplay, Ragbebound combat is addictive and fun to play. The Guillotine Boost allows Kenji to propel into enemies, allowing him to do fluid transitions into fast combos. The Hypercharge System gives a more aggressive play with Kenji charging an attack for one-hit kills. When is aura is blue, he will attack with his sword; pink, he will use Kumori's range skills. The level design shines with a variety of locations. From running across rooftops to escaping a demon-driven bulldozer, every level feels handcrafted with artistry. The game also offers hidden paths, rankings, and talismans and weapons you can modify.

The game is challenging, especially with the boss battles. You will die in those fights regardless of how good you are. The game does offer an assist mode where you can slower the combat speed, reduce the knockback, and lower the damage you take. This can make the game much easier for people who want to enjoy the story or don't want a challenge.

The game is not without flaws. The main campaign can take you about 6 to 8 hours to complete. I did encounter a glitch where I had to restart the level because Kenji fell into a pit but didn't die. The combo, while fun, isn't as deep as other entries, but it is still fun. Overall, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a masterclass in precision and design. This is a worthy successor that proves Ninja Gaiden is here to stay.