The Game Kitchen’s fine work with Metroidvanias Blasphemous and Blasphemous 2 has paid dividends, as the Spanish studio takes the helm of reviving the 2D Ninja Gaiden series after 30 years since its last side-scrolling entry. A mighty task with so much weight and history behind the adventures of Ryu Hayabusa, but as the result of Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound proves, Dotemu made a terrific call in approaching the developer to work alongside them. 
Running parallel to the original NES game’s storyline in which Ryu leaves for America to avenge his father, young ninja Kenji is tasked with protecting the Hayabusa clan’s village as demons swarm in. Rival ninjas of the Black Spider Clan find themselves equally under threat, and one of its members, kunoichi Kumori, makes a pact with Kenji under dire circumstances. With the pair on the verge of death when they cross paths, Kumori fuses her soul with Kenji’s body, forming an unwanted but necessary alliance that allows them to pursue the demons and prevent them from fully entering the human world.
So much stands out from the get-go with Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound. A belter of a synth styled soundtrack that has the hallmarks of the 3D iterations while channelling the audible retro goodness of the original games accompanies some of the most gorgeous 2D pixel sprite work seen in a modern side-scroller. Backgrounds are full of incredible detail, and the two eras of Ninja Gaiden converge further with the gory side of the 3D entries coming to the fore as limbs are dismembered and blood splatters onto walls.
An extreme amount of care and attention to detail has gone into crafting Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound to ensure it stays consistent with the NES trilogy in terms of gameplay and level design, rather than inundating it with unnecessary features that might only serve to bloat the experience. Stages are short momentum-based affairs, designed to be replayed to learn enemy placements and use them to your advantage to cross pits and reach platforms in the quickest and most efficient way possible, not too dissimilar to a classic Sonic the Hedgehog level.
Of course, a slower and more methodical approach can be taken, but the thrill of speeding through by bouncing on projectiles with a slicing somersault to bypass groups of fiends and cutting out small chunks of a level make for some of the most satisfying side-scrolling hack and slash action. Although many secret collectibles can only be reached with quick thinking and instinctive reactions, careful exploration is rewarded when keeping a keen eye out for cracked walls and small gaps that lead to other pick-ups too.
Kenji’s main form of attack is his trusty sword, but having Kumori’s essence inside of him allows for the throwing of her kunai to attack foes further ahead, as well as above or below. Dodge mechanics combined with attack and jump buttons that aren’t taught through tutorials lead to unique possibilities, such as firing off kunai in multiple directions at once, benefitting those that experiment with the two characters’ abilities.
Kumori can break out of Kenji’s body for timed platforming segments at a handful of fixed opportunities, usually to open a blocked path or to reward in a collectible. These fast-paced platforming segments require precision and experimentation to successfully complete the challenge, but don’t feel like they make the most of Kumori herself.
The duo’s dynamic and differences add some humour to the quest, and while some cool ideas come from the merging of their characters, it is a shame that Kumori isn’t used more as a solo character in her own right. More levels where she is the only one controlled might have added some extra fun and amplified her character, where she takes a bit of a backseat to Kenji.
The Hypercharge is a deadly move that instantly slays a foe, gained by defeating an enemy surrounded by a blue or purple aura. If Kenji lands the killing blow on those covered in blue mist, and Kumori is the one to end purple-clouded fiends, Hypercharge will be granted – but it must be used quickly for it only stays with the pair for a few seconds. The next attack that connects will expend the Hypercharge in the most gruesome of fashions, slicing enemies in two or frying them into oblivion.
Alternatively, health can be sacrificed to instantly acquire this special ability, so if there is faith in one’s skills, it can often benefit to take the risk. Since the Hypercharge is a one-hit kill, it is always preferable to use it on the toughest of foes, but if not paying attention or if luck would not have its way, a meagre fiend may get in the way of the attack, leading to frustrating moments as the charge goes to waste. It means care must be taken when moving and slashing – especially in the heat of the moment and when going for speedy runs.
Character enhancements are kept simple and to a minimum. Both ninjas can purchase and equip a couple of different modifiers at once, such as different types of projectiles and boosts like increased damage at low health. Since only two for each character can be equipped, there isn’t too much risk of overpowering the pair, and it ensures that players still need to rely on mastering their techniques.
Stages often culminate in boss fights that demand learning their patterns in a similar vein to Castlevania. Some are more exciting than others, but there is extra incentive to perform well when challenges include defeating these monstrosities without taking damage, with final grades often requiring excellent play, leading to better rewards to equip on the two ninjas.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound provides plenty of challenge but is perhaps not as difficult as many might expect. The hardcore crowd will find plenty of value in the fact that there are secret stages to unlock that deliver much more of a test, and completing all the challenges will take some doing. However, Hard Mode is locked behind a first playthrough, so anyone craving an intense trial from the get-go may feel a little aggrieved at it not being available right away.
To compensate, though, players eager for self-punishment can impose handicaps through purchasable items, such as those that triple the damage received, remove health orbs throughout stages, or send you back to the start of the level upon death.
For those on the other side of the coin that want to enjoy the game without the worry of dying, or just want to take things down a notch, there are many helpful Assist Mode settings that allow users to customise everything from damage taken to gameplay speed. Turn it on for a stage or boss giving you a tough time and then revert it back if desired. The choice is there to allow most people to play and enjoy the adventure in their own way.
Although the adventure will be completed in five or six hours, every level throws in something new each time, keeping players on their toes until the very end. Additionally, there is a huge amount of replay value in Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound. Challenges, collectibles, secret stages, speedruns, Hard Mode, unlockables. Not to mention just how satisfying it is to glide through stages after mastering the moves of the ninjas.
This is a heck of a revival for 2D Ninja Gaiden. It might feel like it has taken way too long for the series to return, but better to have it take this long and be this good than be stuck with mediocre games that don’t live up to its legacy.
