Ninja Action at Its Best! – PlayStation.Blog

Sure, here’s a messy, human-like rewrite:

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Okay, so there’s this game, right? “SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance” – it’s popping onto PS4 and PS5 on August 29, 2025. Feels like a lifetime ago since the first Shinobi rocked up back in 1987. And guess what? Lizardcube, those folks behind Streets of Rage IV (remember that banger in 2020?), they’re back at it, breathing life into Joe Musashi’s saga. Their art style? Ugh, legendary.

We fiddled around – well, really got to grips with two stages already. And oh boy, the art? Spoke to my soul, which was unexpected. The movement was kind of like – you know when paper glides through air? Exactly. They’ve captured this ninja vibe, just so authentically.

The world we’re diving into? Totally dystopian. ENE Corp, this paramilitary bunch, are snapping up territories like they’re on a shopping spree. Their only real worry? Joe Musashi and his ninja crew, until Ruse (the big bad over at ENE) razes their village to ashes. Villagers, frozen in stone. Yup. Who thinks of this stuff?

Now, Joe’s on a rampage, right? Exploring neon cities, clinging to freight trains – it’s like a flipping comic book. And speaking of books, if this one’s on art, I’m buying.

Joe Musashi, our man of the hour, by the way, has the whole village’s trust. I mean, he’s the ninja top dog. Not much of a talker, but who needs words when you’ve got sick moves?

Ruse, the villain mastermind – don’t even get me started. He’s got an iron grip on his troopers, wanting Musashi and his gang gone for good. Ain’t it always the way?

So now – where were we? Right. This quest for vengeance has Musashi picking up new skills and uncovering paths you’d totally walk past at first glance. Kind of like finding a funky shortcut in a maze or whatever. Oh, and about these stages – keep your eyes peeled. Every detail counts. The mist in the trees? Art. Pure art.

Okay, gotta talk about this Lantern Festival stage, though. Joe hears ENE’s using it as a hideout. It’s a nightmare, hopping over sinking planks and dodging enemies, but with fireworks? Distracting, but memorable.

Move on up to combat, can we? Fast-paced like you wouldn’t believe. Ninjas using katana, throwing shuriken – it’s fluid, like a river of chaos. Plowing through hordes, building combos as you go? Divine. Ninjutsu, when done right, is this kind of beautiful violence. Think of it as a wild dance, but with weapons. Got the Cannon Punch yet? Breaks down armor barriers, handier than a Swiss Army knife.

Now, don’t sleep on the Shinobi Executions. They’re this super-satisfying insta-kill mechanic. Like, watching it unfold on-screen gives you this primal sense of victory. Oh, the joy!

And let’s hit up the shop. Loads of upgrades, but you gotta collect Oboro Relics, kind of like treasure hunting. Gold to splurge from foe-smashing, with fancy Ningi and Ninpo up for grabs. It’s a grind, but worth it!

Ready for the Deluxe Edition? It’s packed: a game bundle, early 2026 stages, artbooks – the whole shebang. Pre-orders give you a three-day head start. Plus s’more game features I’m probably forgetting because it’s all a whirlwind.

End of the road, folks. PlayStation’s calling. Go get ’em, tiger!