Shinobi: Art of Vengeance – First Look at Characters, Prologue, and Two Stages

After the initial reveal of Shinobi: Art of Vengeance , SEGA shares more details about the highly anticipated return of the iconic ninja action series. This latest update sheds light on the game’s main characters and offers a first look at the opening stage and a bonus level, giving fans a better idea of what to expect when they step into the shadows as Joe Musashi.

Together with the new details, Sega released a new video highlighting the game’s hand-drawn art style in motion in this introduction video.

In Art of Vengeance, players once again step into the shoes of the legendary ninja Joe Musashi, head of the ancient Oboro Clan. As the protagonist once again, he faces the paramilitary force called ENE Corp, who are hell-bent at global domination and the Oboro Clan happens to be the only obstacle.

Their leader, the ruthless Lord Ruse, launches a devastating attack on Oboro Village, threatening to erase the clan forever. It’s up to Musashi and his allies to fight back and dismantle ENE Corp’s growing empire.

Character Spotlight

Sega shared new details on the game’s central cast.

• Joe Musashi – The game’s stoic protagonist and master ninja. His strength and calm leadership make him a pillar of the Oboro Clan.

• Lord Ruse – The iron-fisted mastermind behind ENE Corp, whose goal is nothing less than total domination.

• Yamato – Musashi’s loyal dog, capable of transforming into a massive mount or battle companion.

• Tomoe – A young ninja-in-training who idolizes Musashi and is determined to protect her people.

• Naoko – Musashi’s supportive and wise wife, offering counsel from the sidelines.

New Stage Reveals

SEGA has also offered a glimpse into two of the game’s early stages:

Oboro Village

Set among tranquil bamboo groves and traditional dojo rooftops, Oboro Village seems to act as a tutorial stage of sorts as Musashi and his students encounter rival ninjas as they quickly find out their village is under attack.

The Chase

This high-speed level features Musashi in hot pursuit of the antagonist Lord Ruse, dodging fire, flying kunai, and environmental hazards while riding atop his mighty companion. It’s a fast-paced showcase of the game’s dynamic traversal and reflex-based challenges.

Gorgeous Hand-Drawn Style Meets Classic Gameplay

The biggest draw from this action platformer is Shinobi: Art of Vengeance’s hand-drawn, capturing the feel of a classic anime while preserving the tight, satisfying gameplay the series is known for. With new mechanics like mount-based traversal, bonus stages, and a mix of stealth and action, this new iteration seems to be on track in modernizing the Shinobi formula while putting the art style and its animation front and center.

For those that missed it, have a look at the announcement trailer that debuted a few months ago.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is set to launch for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Steam on August 29, 2025.

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