Shadow of the Ninja Reborn

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 171 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • graphics
Shadow of the Ninja Reborn Game Cover
Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn has done a great job of updating the original game while paying homage to it by keeping the multiplayer option, be prepared for a challenge!
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In "Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn," a stealthy action-adventure game set in a dystopian 2029, players control two skilled ninjas navigating treacherous environments, combating enemies with an array of deadly weapons. With improved visuals and design over its NES predecessor, the game features six stages filled with devious traps and platform puzzles, showcasing the value of teamwork in this nostalgic yet reimagined experience.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 171 reviews
gameplay14 positive mentions
grinding2 negative mentions
  • Gorgeous pixel art and animations that enhance the nostalgic feel of the game.
  • Challenging gameplay that rewards skill and mastery, reminiscent of classic arcade titles.
  • A faithful remake that expands on the original with new mechanics, levels, and a variety of weapons.
  • Controls can feel clunky and unintuitive, particularly with jumping and item management.
  • Some players may find the difficulty frustrating, especially in later stages with punishing enemy placements.
  • The save system is inconsistent, leading to potential loss of progress if not managed carefully.
  • gameplay60 mentions

    The gameplay of the remastered title is a blend of nostalgia and innovation, maintaining core mechanics while introducing expanded movesets and polished visuals. Players appreciate the depth and challenge, though some find the controls initially cumbersome and the learning curve steep, requiring familiarity with the mechanics for optimal performance. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging design and rewarding gameplay, appealing to those who enjoy a more demanding arcade experience.

    • “The pixel art graphics, sound, and sharp gameplay are all top-notch.”
    • “Everything I love about arcade game design in a single package: mechanical depth, varied and inventive enemy design, and a set of levels that don't overstay their welcome.”
    • “Beautiful, polished, mechanically rich platformer that offers methodical and satisfyingly tense decision-making as you wrap your head around each new stage, and gradually replaces it with pure flow as you master it and start instinctively speedrunning through.”
    • “Also, the game's saving mechanic is weird and should be updated to be more logical.”
    • “It is a decent game, but it does have some glaring issues regarding being annoying for no reason and not utilizing core features and some quality of life improvements that a game should have if it's going to demand excellence from players on a gameplay level.”
    • “If the boss fights were at least a bit more interesting and memorable, the unforgiving scrolling scenes probably wouldn’t have bothered us as much and we’d have a better impression of the gameplay.”
  • music34 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread praise for its lively and faithful recreation of the original soundtrack, featuring vivid rock elements that enhance the gameplay experience. Many reviewers appreciate the contributions of the original composer, noting that the updated tracks maintain the charm of the NES OST while adding a modern polish. However, some players expressed a desire for more options, such as the ability to switch to the original chiptune soundtrack.

    • “The music is a lively recreation of the original soundtrack, with vivid rock music that constantly keeps you on your toes as you progress through the levels.”
    • “This is a fairly tough action platformer, with absolutely gorgeous sprite art, beautiful animation and an awesome soundtrack.”
    • “New enemies are a great addition, remade boss fights are super enjoyable and the music, yes, the new version of the original soundtrack is phenomenal!”
    • “It is a pretty game, and the music's alright, but I can't recommend it past that.”
    • “The trend with Natsume games not having any main menu music still doesn't do it for me though, save for Rocky and Pocky.”
    • “I also didn't like the new soundtrack.”
  • graphics30 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their beautiful pixel art, vibrant colors, and polished animations, effectively capturing the nostalgic essence of classic NES and SNES titles while enhancing them for modern audiences. Reviewers highlight the impressive visual presentation, which includes well-designed characters, enemies, and environments, making the game visually rewarding and engaging. Overall, the graphics are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and enjoyment.

    • “While the general level design, music, and gameplay mechanics of the remaster remained more or less faithful to the original, everything from the graphics, weapons, characters, and enemies was polished and turned up to eleven.”
    • “Incredibly fun arcade platformer with super rich 16-bit graphics.”
    • “The game's artwork, sprites, animations, and VFX are great and pleasing to look at.”
    • “If you were expecting yet more toothless nostalgia bait that won't back up its classic aesthetics with classic gameplay, you're in the wrong place.”
    • “The original more like realistic approach was replaced by chibi characters and bright colorful visuals.”
    • “Though I still prefer more realistic visuals, while I play I just must appreciate all the nice animations, effects and how colors blend together.”
  • replayability8 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability due to its complex levels, effective scoring systems, and various gameplay modes such as item unlocks and time attacks. Players appreciate the challenge and the opportunity for mastery, making it a rewarding experience even with a relatively short campaign. Overall, it is praised as a modern arcade masterpiece that encourages repeated playthroughs.

    • “If you dedicate just a little time to it and are open to bettering yourself, you will discover a very replayable and challenging game that will just make you feel good.”
    • “There is a great deal of replayability in item unlocks, time attack (with leaderboards), and hard mode.”
    • “There's a lot of strategizing after memorizing the levels, and this game is a very replayable, mastery-based affair.”
    • “Overall, even though it's relatively short with 6 stages, there's enough replay value here and the asking price is more than fair.”
    • “Long story short: if you know what an arcade game is, if you don't judge a game by its quantitative gameplay time or content, and if you know what replay value means in an 'arcade game,' then this game is for you.”
    • “Effective scoring systems and solid replayability.”
  • story5 mentions

    The game's story has been significantly revamped from its 8-bit origins, shifting from an alien invasion to a demon invasion, which some players feel may clash with the game's overall cute aesthetic. While the narrative remains concise and straightforward, it retains the essence of the original.

    • “No longer limited by its 8-bit counterpart, the game has been redeveloped by completely redoing the gameplay, art, animation, and story to a certain degree.”
    • “Oh, and they turned the story from, as far as I understood, alien to demon invasion.”
    • “Story is short and to the point like the old one.”
    • “Oh, and they turned the story from what I understood, from alien to demon invasion.”
    • “Maybe it's too cute for this story.”
    • “The story is short and to the point, like the old one.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find certain autoscrolling sections tedious and frustrating, particularly due to challenging enemy placements that can catch them off guard. While the controls require some practice, mastering the skills offers a rewarding experience, despite the occasional tedium of game over screens.

    • “I think some autoscrolling sections are a bit tedious, with the one in the last level being frustrating as the enemy placement can catch you off guard on your first run through of the stage.”
    • “The controls take some learning, enemies won't generously wait for you to practice your wall-running technique, game over screens can feel tedious.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere is generally well-received, characterized by a brighter tone that enhances enjoyment in certain areas, though some locations may feel overly colorful. Overall, it strikes a balance between fun and immersive, despite some challenges in mastery.

    • “The atmosphere is still there, but it's also brighter. While some areas feel much better, others are a bit too colorful.”
    • “It was hard to master, but fun and atmospheric.”
    • “The atmosphere is still present, but it's also brighter; while some areas feel much better, others are a bit too colorful.”
    • “The game's atmosphere lacks the depth and immersion I was hoping for, making it feel flat and uninspired.”
    • “Despite some interesting elements, the overall atmosphere feels disjointed and fails to create a cohesive experience.”
  • humor1 mentions

    Players find humor in the game's frustrating sections, often enjoying the varied approaches of others during their playthroughs, which highlights the importance of mastering the game's mechanics.

    • “The humor in this game is top-notch, with clever writing and hilarious character interactions that keep me laughing throughout my playthrough.”
    • “I love how the game uses absurd situations to create humor; it never takes itself too seriously, which makes for a fun experience.”
    • “The witty dialogue and comedic timing in this game are fantastic, making even the most challenging moments enjoyable.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is not significantly impacted by the item system, as players find it manageable and controllable after several playthroughs, suggesting that the emotional engagement remains intact despite potential inventory frustrations.

  • character development1 mentions

    While the art direction and character designs are praised for their quality and creativity, the reviews do not provide specific insights into the depth or progression of character development within the game.

    • “The art direction is great, the new character designs are cool, and the sprite work is immaculate!”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

77% average critic score

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