Shinobi: Art of Vengeance’s Bonus Stages Are Optional in Name Only

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Similar to many action-platformers, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is brimming with secrets and additional content for adventurous gamers to uncover throughout each level’s exploration. Beyond individual levels, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance presents players an opportunity to conquer bonus stages scattered between major story arcs, which in turn conceal their own hidden mysteries for skilled players to decipher. While tagged as bonus stages, these levels hold significant importance and completing them is advisable.

In the game Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, many enhancements are subtly placed within the levels for players to discover. These include secret Oboro Relics that let you upgrade your shop and buy new fighting techniques, while Shinobi’s Ninpo skills are often found in concealed areas throughout different stages. However, it’s crucial to note that significant stat boosts are typically hidden in the bonus rounds, making them more essential than their casual label might suggest.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance’s Bonus Stages Are More Important Than They Seem

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Doesn’t Make Completing a Bonus Stage Mandatory

  • The Chase
  • Riptide

In Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, there are two additional stages that follow a comparable pattern. During these stages, players will encounter auto-scrolling levels, once while riding Yamato, Musashi’s enormous dog friend, and another time surfing on a board after being tossed from an airplane. The difficulty lies in avoiding the approaching hazards and adversaries without the option to halt, and with only a few opportunities for health and kunai restocks.

In this game, The Chase serves as the second stage overall, allowing players to get acquainted with the bonus stage mechanics quite early during their gaming experience.

Players can technically complete the bonus stages in Shinobi: Art of Vengeance without actually finishing them, as dying during the stage brings an end to it and lets them progress to the next main chapter. Those who just want to reach the end of the game’s main campaign may not care about dying during a bonus stage since it doesn’t hinder their progress in the story. However, players aiming for optimal performance in Shinobi will need to replay these bonus stages until they are successful, as the rewards earned at the end of these stages can significantly impact gameplay as they advance further into their playthrough.

Finishing a Bonus Stage Nets Players Useful Upgrades

Although the bonus stages in Shinobi: Art of Vengeance might appear unimportant, successfully completing them can make a considerable difference, particularly towards the end of the game. Finishing The Chase stage rewards players with an increase to the maximum number of kunai they can hold permanently. Having more kunai becomes particularly advantageous in later levels of Shinobi, as new adversaries emerge that penalize players for getting too near, making it essential to have ranged combat options such as throwing Musashi’s kunai.

In the thrilling final stages of “Shinobi: Art of Vengeance”, successfully completing the Riptide bonus stage can be particularly beneficial. This is because you’ll receive a permanent boost to your maximum health, which is crucial given how powerfully enemies attack by the game’s end. With this additional health, you’ll have a better chance of survival during those intense boss fights, as they tend to last longer.

As a cunning ninja, I’ve discovered that while the unyielding max kunai and health enhancements are tucked away within Shinobi’s challenging bonus stages, there’s more good news – you can uncover extra boosts for both stats scattered across the game itself! Keep your eyes peeled as you traverse the shadowy realms.

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2025-08-29 19:04