How Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Honors a Longstanding Franchise Tradition

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Lizardcube meticulously crafts games that honor their fanbase and original properties, and this holds true for Shinobi: Art of Vengeance. The Shinobi series is a cherished Sega franchise with a dedicated following, and after a 14-year gap since the Nintendo 3DS installment, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance revisits the franchise’s origins (while giving them a fresh update).

In an interview with Game Rant, Ben Fiquet, CEO of Lizardcube and creative director of “Shinobi: Art of Vengeance,” discusses how this new game pays homage to the franchise’s history while also showcasing innovative advancements in its combat system and captivating art style.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Revisits a Classic Stage Theme

The game titled “Shinobi: Art of Vengeance” kicks off at Oboro Village, where it dwells – home to the Oboro Clan and the main character from the Shinobi series, Joe Musashi. Players will journey through a portion of this level that resonates with longtime fans of the series as they seek revenge against Lord Ruse and ENE Corp, engaging in numerous battles along the way.

At every phase, we aim to provide players with something new and exciting. To start off, we’ll have a classic bamboo forest setting, which is familiar in our Shinobi series, but soon after, you can expect a diverse range of level layouts.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia when I step into the legendary bamboo forest stage, a staple in the Shinobi series that made its debut in the 1987 arcade version of Shinobi. Walking through it at the beginning of the game feels like coming home, reconnecting with a series I’ve missed dearly after such a long absence. As the level unfolds, though, it becomes evident that Lord Ruse has wreaked havoc on Oboro Village, prompting us to confront this growing menace head-on.

In contrast to the traditional bamboo forest, players might find it slightly altered this time around. As Fiquet explains, each stage introduces fresh challenges, barriers, or adversaries, ensuring that stages remain unique and maintaining the challenging nature of the Shinobi series. This is particularly significant for veterans, as they can discern the modifications made to these levels and anticipate the unexpected elements in store for them.

While Shinobi: Art of Vengeance may appear to be limited in its offerings at first glance, there’s much more to discover. Fiquet also touches upon various stage themes, ranging from contemporary settings such as a bustling, neon-lit city or a military base, to traditional landscapes and even deserts. Some of these maintain the spirit of the old Shinobi games, while others introduce fresh and thrilling environments for players to traverse. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is poised to be the revival that the Shinobi series has been craving. It stays true to the franchise’s roots without shying away from offering a unique perspective. It looks back at its past, but instead of being bound by it, it continues to progress and bring the classic game into the present day.

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2025-08-05 17:05