NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound

About

NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound is a single player arcade hack and slash game. It was developed by The Game Kitchen and was released on July 31, 2025. It received very positive reviews from players.

NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound blends classic 8-bit lore and gameplay with modern 3D intensity, delivering an epic ninja adventure. When Ryu Hayabusa leaves for America, a rift unleashes demons upon Hayabusa Village, prompting young ninja Kenji Mozu to confront the threat. He must wield forbidden power and ally with dark forces to save his home.

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Play Modes

Single-Player

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94%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,072 reviews

gameplay139 positive mentions

grinding17 negative mentions

Fast and fluid gameplay that captures the essence of classic Ninja Gaiden.
Gorgeous pixel art and a heavy metal soundtrack enhance the overall experience.
Challenging but fair level design with a variety of movement and attack mechanics.

Some bosses feel like damage sponges, making fights tedious rather than engaging.
The game can be too easy on normal mode, with hard mode only unlocking after completing the game.
Certain mechanics, like the hypercharge system, can disrupt the flow of combat and feel overused.

gameplay
348 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
57%
3%
The gameplay of "Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound" is characterized by fast-paced, fluid mechanics that evoke nostalgia while incorporating modern elements, such as the guillotine boost and hypercharge attacks, which add depth and strategy to combat. Players appreciate the engaging flow and rhythm of the gameplay, though some criticize certain mechanics for being overly restrictive or repetitive, particularly in later levels. Overall, the game successfully combines classic action-platformer elements with polished controls and vibrant pixel art, making it a compelling experience for fans of the genre.
- “This game is a must for anyone who enjoys a challenging action-platformer, with mechanics that incentivize a non-stop slashing of enemies and parkour that'll make you feel like the ninjarest ninja there ever was.”
- “The gameplay is where the game really shines.”
- “The gameplay flows exceedingly well and you'll find yourself cutting through everything like butter, a very smooth ride.”
- “The gameplay itself is a little shallow too.”
- “Gameplay and level design are incredibly bland, repetitive and way too basic.”
- “The gameplay loop is all about killing enemies in the right order so you can cut through heavy enemies while keeping up a fast pace so your combo doesn't drop.”
music
230 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
36%
2%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its energetic and fitting soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience. It features a mix of original compositions and remixes of classic tracks from the Ninja Gaiden series, creating a nostalgic yet fresh auditory backdrop. While some found the music occasionally forgettable, the overall consensus highlights its ability to complement the fast-paced action and beautiful pixel art, making it a standout aspect of the game.
- “The soundtrack is fantastic, with sensational remixes of iconic Ninja Gaiden tracks and some kickass originals.”
- “The music is phenomenal; when combined with the gameplay, it gave me a pretty good experience in the first few hours.”
- “The visuals and the soundtrack are both 10/10.”
- “This, I barely even recall what the music sounds like.”
- “The only thing lacking was the OST, but it's a small con in an overall well-rounded game.”
- “The music is outside of the classic NES soundtracks quite mediocre, nothing too amazing, but workable.”
story
186 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
70%
2%
The story of "Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound" is generally described as straightforward and serviceable, often serving as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a focal point. While it features engaging character interactions, particularly between the protagonists Kenji and Kumori, and ties into the original NES narrative, many reviewers noted that the plot is predictable and lacks depth. Overall, the story is considered enjoyable enough to complement the action, but it doesn't aim to be a standout feature of the game.
- “While the storytelling in the Ninja Gaiden series has had its ups and downs, the narrative in 'Ragebound' is quite engaging thanks to the improbable chemistry between Kenji and Kumori.”
- “The story is nice and what you want from the genre and the IP, with multiple endings.”
- “The story is straightforward but presented rather well, mostly through short dialogue scenes and gorgeous retro cutscenes which bring much life to the game’s non-playable moments.”
- “The characters were flat, generic, and one-dimensional with barely any growth in a frankly ridiculous plot, but that's not why you play this game.”
- “The only real criticisms I have are that it feels like only half of the story actually made it into the game; the side missions aren’t as satisfying as the main missions, and I don’t like the ending whatsoever.”
- “The story drags on, and I was absolutely sick of it by the end.”
graphics
126 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
36%
2%
The graphics of "Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning pixel art and vibrant animations, effectively blending nostalgic aesthetics with modern polish. Reviewers highlight the game's beautiful art style, fluid animations, and detailed environments, which evoke a classic 16/32-bit feel while maintaining a fresh look. Overall, the visuals are described as a standout feature, enhancing the gameplay experience and resonating well with fans of retro gaming.
- “The pixel art style is clean and stylish, clearly inspired by old-school Ninja Gaiden, but polished enough to feel fresh rather than dated.”
- “The graphics are superb too, with amazing artwork and smooth animations that make every level stand out.”
- “Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound starts strong with fast-paced combat, gorgeous animation, and an aesthetic that pulls you in immediately.”
- “The graphics are…well…”
- “It is actually hard to believe, but the game with pixel graphics, which appears like 30 years old, sometimes lags on modern machines!”
- “First of all, when nostalgic players say they miss old games, they actually mean the old gameplay and stories - not an old pixel sh*t graphics.”
replayability
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
53%
6%
The game boasts high replayability due to its short campaign, numerous collectibles, secret missions, and a ranking system that encourages players to revisit levels for better scores. Unlockable hard modes and various challenges further enhance the replay value, making it appealing for completionists and those seeking to master the gameplay. Overall, players find the combination of engaging mechanics and additional content makes replaying the game a rewarding experience.
- “With many collectibles and secret missions to find, and a ranking system that encourages practice and level reruns, this game has a lot of great replay value!”
- “Honestly this is just such a fantastic package, it's got tons of replay value with collectibles, challenge levels, unlockable hard mode, and multiple endings.”
- “The main story isn't too long, but there's lots of replayability in the form of secret levels, a hard mode, and replaying levels to try to get a good ranking.”
- “At 8 hours long, this game is a little on the short side, but the gameplay is fun enough and the skill ceiling high enough that there's considerable replayability here. You could probably get at least 3 playthroughs out of this game if you were trying to see everything it has to offer.”
- “The replayability lies in the fact that it's a relatively short game that doesn't miss through its entirety, making picking up and playing through it again always an option.”
- “If there was a level creator, this game would have so much more replay value.”
grinding
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, particularly due to repetitive gameplay mechanics and overly long boss fights. While the initial levels are engaging, the experience quickly devolves into a cycle of waiting and grinding that detracts from the overall enjoyment. Many reviewers express a desire for a more organic challenge, as the current design feels restrictive and lacks the fluidity present in the earlier stages of the game.
- “One issue with this kind of design is that it can become tedious given how one-note the gameplay is.”
- “The gameplay for the first few levels is really fun and engaging but then very quickly becomes just pure tedious frustration and is an exercise in patience more than anything else.”
- “Chapter 3 marks a sharp difficulty spike, where bosses become much more punishing and tedious, thanks largely to bloated health pools.”
optimization
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
41%
41%
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed feedback. While many players report smooth performance, particularly on the Steam Deck, others have experienced inconsistent frame rates and stuttering issues, especially on higher-end PCs. Minor performance hiccups have been noted, but they are generally not game-breaking and could potentially be resolved with future patches.
- “The game runs even smoother after the update on 08/22, with a stellar performance and no noticeable bugs.”
- “Performance: excellent (played with Steam Deck, solid 60fps).”
- “One performance footnote: on default settings, this game actually runs better on the Steam Deck.”
- “There was an issue with the optimization where I started on hard mode and dipped into 30-60 FPS, while the rest of the game ran at 100-160 FPS, so it’s really not all that consistent. This issue does not exist when I play on normal mode, where the frame rates are consistently in the 100s, and on Steam Deck, there aren’t any issues.”
- “I've encountered a lot of stuttering on my main PC.”
- “These performance issues are minor and by no means game-breaking, but for a game like this - a 16-bit throwback hack-and-slash - I really shouldn't be experiencing any performance issues at all, especially on higher-end hardware.”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is cleverly woven into its narrative, with players finding it amusing that the "villain" is reminiscent of real-world government entities, reflecting a satirical take on modern villainy. Additionally, the game's quirky platforming and boss encounters are described as both entertaining and challenging, contributing to an overall lighthearted and enjoyable experience. The humor is further enhanced by nostalgic references and playful animations, making it a standout aspect of the game.
- “It doesn't even feel weird that the 'villain' of this story is functionally the CIA/US government... the US has reached Russia/China/North Korea/Central American cartel levels of villainy that it's like 'of course it would be them!'”
- “They recreated the dismemberment from Gaiden for Xbox in Blasphemous terms, and Ryu's movements and the famous staircase sequence are hilarious in 16-bit.”
- “For me, it was a bit funny because the earlier bosses were a bit harder than the later ones.”
character development
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
20%
Reviewers praise the character development for its impressive designs and animations, highlighting the appealing pixel art and overall aesthetic. The integration of character development with the game's art style and music contributes to a captivating experience, enhancing the overall narrative and engagement.
- “The music, the art style, the game direction, the story, and even the character development are great.”
- “Love the amazing pixel art and character designs.”
- “The environments looked great, character designs were awesome, and the animations were smooth.”
emotional
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express frustration with the emotional impact of gameplay mechanics that penalize them for simply touching enemies, which detracts from their overall enjoyment. While the game's aesthetic and atmosphere are appreciated, the clumsy design choices lead to feelings of anger and disappointment, overshadowing the positive vibes.
- “Maybe it's just me, because Ragebound made me feel the same way Blasphemous did: I love the idea and the vibes were right (the game does look and sound great), but too many problems with the gameplay, level design, and bosses held it back for me.”
- “Not only does just touching an enemy or projectile hurt you, but a boss that leaves claw marks in the air will hurt you.”
- “Being punished just for touching an enemy, even when they aren't attacking, is clumsy design.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Overall, the game performs well on the Steam Deck, maintaining a solid 60 fps, though users report occasional dropped frames and some significant audio bugs in later missions. While stability is generally good, there are instances of lag and freezes that detract from the experience.
- “Runs great on the Steam Deck.”
- “Runs great on the Steam Deck OLED.”
- “And on top of that, there are lags and freezes in the game.”
- “On both deck and PC, I maintained a solid 60 FPS with some occasional dropped frames, and some really buggy audio on the last couple of missions.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is reminiscent of a 90s action movie, effectively immersing players with its visually stunning design and fitting music. The level design keeps the experience fresh and encourages adaptation, while the dark ambiance aligns well with the game's "ragebound" theme. Overall, the atmosphere is a significant highlight, enhancing the gameplay experience.
- “It really feels like a 90s action movie, and I enjoyed that atmosphere a lot.”
- “It sets the atmosphere perfectly.”
- “The game is visually stunning, and the music fits perfectly, enhancing the overall atmosphere.”

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6h Median play time

5h Average play time

5-6h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound is a arcade hack and slash game.

NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Steam Deck and others.

On average players spend around 5 hours playing NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound.

NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound was released on July 31, 2025.

NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound was developed by The Game Kitchen.

NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound has received very positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound is a single player game.

Similar games include Cyber Shadow, SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance, Strider, Gravity Circuit, Record of Lodoss War-Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth- and others.

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