Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound Praised in Franchise Return

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, developed by The Game Kitchen and published by Dotemu, is the first 2D side-scrolling entry in the franchise in over thirty years, combining retro pixel art with modern gameplay. Players alternate between Kenji Mozu and the spirit-aided Kumori, utilizing a dual-character system to navigate platforming and combat challenges. The game draws inspiration from both the NES Ninja Gaiden trilogy and The Game Kitchen's Blasphemous series, modernizing the formula while respecting series lore. Critics have given Ragebound largely positive reviews, with an average score of 8.5/10 and an 86 on OpenCritic, praising its visuals, difficulty, and mechanics, though noting some gameplay elements lack depth and the narrative may have fleeting impact. The game is available digitally on major platforms and physically for PS5 and Nintendo Switch. Ragebound is considered a standout homage to the franchise and a highlight of the current 'Year of the Ninja' in gaming.