The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors

About

"The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors" is a self-remastered game based on the 1994 spinoff of Taito's 1987 arcade classic, "The NinjaWarriors." The game features five android ninjas, each with unique techniques, and offers both single-player and two-player co-op modes. It maintains its 16-bit style while expanding the playfield, adding new backgrounds, animations, and explosive pyrotechnics, as well as multiple difficulty levels and multiple soundtrack options.

Genres & Tags

Action

Play Modes

The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors screenshot

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 158 reviews

music28 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game features stunning pixel art and animations, along with a fantastic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
Each of the five playable characters has unique movesets and playstyles, adding depth and variety to the gameplay.
The remaster successfully retains the charm of the original while introducing new mechanics and characters, making it a must-play for fans of the beat 'em up genre.

The game lacks save states or the ability to continue after exiting, requiring players to complete it in a single sitting, which can be frustrating.
Some boss battles, particularly the final boss, are considered overly difficult and can detract from the enjoyment of the game.
There are balance issues among characters, with some being significantly more effective than others, leading to a less enjoyable experience for certain playstyles.

music
51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
39%
6%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many praising its fantastic compositions and the inclusion of multiple unlockable soundtracks, including the original arcade and SNES versions. Reviewers noted that the soundtrack enhances the overall experience, complementing the game's impressive pixel art and animations. While some felt the new tracks were a bit generic compared to the originals, the overall sound design and music quality were highlighted as standout features that contribute to the game's replayability and enjoyment.
- “The music is absolutely fantastic, the animations are the work of a team that has been doing this for 30 years and been together the entire time, and it shows.”
- “The soundtrack is great and has various versions that are unlockable, and the devs added two new characters to also be unlocked (who are really fun to play as well).”
- “This is an incredible beat 'em up with excellent pixel art graphics/animations and great music.”
- “No real bells or whistles beyond unlocking the original soundtrack after a playthrough and the new characters Yaksha and Raiden.”
- “Tbh, that game was way better in terms of gameplay, music.”
- “I was a huge fan of the arcade original with the slick designs, animation, and that slamming soundtrack.”
gameplay
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
53%
10%
The gameplay of this game is characterized by its fun, simple mechanics and engaging beat 'em up style, reminiscent of classic 90s titles, while introducing new characters and improved combat mechanics. Players appreciate the tight controls, beautiful pixel art, and the challenge of mastering character-specific moves, although some have noted issues with character balancing and hit detection. Overall, it offers a satisfying blend of nostalgia and modern enhancements, making it a strong recommendation for fans of the genre.
- “An excellent side scrolling beat 'em up with good art, mechanics, animations, and a well-made remake that adds a lot to the game.”
- “The pixel art is beautiful, the music is great, and the gameplay is tight and perfect; there's nothing wrong with this game except the lack of online co-op.”
- “All in all, this is a great choice for anyone interested in classic, arcade-style 2D action, with unmatched pixel art visuals, excellent OST, and deceptively simple gameplay that lends to skillful play once you master it.”
- “Your general gameplay goal is crowd controlling swarms of enemies through stages with your slow-as-hell ninja.”
- “Gameplay issues and erratic hit boxes, however, prevent me from loving this old school game.”
- “Bad character balancing where two characters can't even jump so you can't avoid ground bombs, and one can't even grab which is a huge mechanic in the game.”
graphics
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
33%
14%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim, with many praising the improved pixel art, animations, and overall aesthetic that enhance the nostalgic feel of the original title. Reviewers highlight the vibrant visuals and engaging sound design, noting that the remaster successfully elevates the game's presentation while maintaining its classic charm. Overall, the graphics are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal as a modern take on a retro beat-em-up.
- “The graphics are amazing.”
- “Graphics are amazing, some of the best pixel art I've seen.”
- “This is an incredible beat 'em up with excellent pixel art graphics/animations and great music.”
- “The visuals and audio are obviously improved but it's still a flawed beat-em-up that takes under an hour to beat with very little additional content and very few improvements.”
- “Visualshock!”
- “The graphics, control, sound, and challenge are all vastly improved culminating in what is quite possibly the best single plane beat 'em up ever made.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
13%
38%
Overall, the game offers significant replayability through various features such as unlockable characters, multiple game modes, and co-op play, enhancing the experience for both casual players and speedrunners. However, some users feel that certain bosses detract from this potential, and there is a desire for additional content to further extend the game's longevity. Despite these concerns, the polished gameplay and diverse character mechanics contribute to a highly replayable experience.
- “Can be played by 2 players (was originally a solo player game), highly replayable and speedrunner friendly.”
- “Every character is their own world, with their own mobility, special attacks, grabs and such, which greatly enhances replayability since every one of them is such a different experience.”
- “I'm not sure this game has a meaningful replay value.”
- “A DLC or an update with more playable content would expand the life of the game.”
- “Those extra achievements, co-op, HD widescreen, 3 soundtracks, 2 new characters to unlock, and a few new moves certainly boosted replayability.”
story
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
29%
43%
The story is generally viewed as simple and minimalistic, with some players appreciating its straightforwardness while others feel it lacks depth and engaging cutscenes. Despite the repetitive plot elements, such as the main objective of assassinating a character, the unique design of the ninja androids and their gameplay mechanics provide some enjoyment. Overall, while the narrative may not be a major highlight, it serves as a backdrop for the gameplay experience.
- “I still come back to it to try to beat my times and enjoy the story; it's really simple, but hey, I like it.”
- “Whole new experience, but the story, plot, main enemy, and objective were still the same: assassinate Banglar.”
- “The story, plot, main enemy, and objective were still the same: assassinate Banglar.”
- “Not that the story was a big draw, but it would have been nice if they added a couple of cutscenes.”
- “A minimal nihilistic storyline with some badass ninja androids kicking the crap out of an entire army.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and aggravating, particularly due to the slow pace of the ninja character and limited effective attacks. However, some appreciate the overall gameplay for its balance of challenge and enjoyment, noting that it doesn't feel overly grindy and encourages players to complete it quickly.
- “It's doable, but very tedious and aggravating since you have a slow ninja and roughly only one, maybe two of your throwing attacks will have any chance to work.”
- “The game is not difficult by any means, but what makes it attractive to me at least is the not overly difficult gameplay. The correct set of special moves each character has makes the game fun, and it does not feel grindy and tedious. It's one of those games that you want to challenge yourself to beat as fast as possible.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers note that the atmosphere in this game feels like a downgrade compared to the original arcade version, reminiscent of the SNES iteration, which may disappoint fans of the developers' previous works.
- “While I'm a massive fan of these guys' work on Pocky and Rocky (Kikikaikai) and Shadow of the Ninja Reborn, this one feels like a downgrade in terms of atmosphere from the original arcade.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by users who express a deep appreciation for its nostalgic value and the successful enhancement of a beloved classic, indicating a strong connection to the game's legacy.
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game is well-optimized, running smoothly and providing an enjoyable experience reminiscent of playing on the SNES, complemented by great music.
- “The game runs smoothly, great music, and it's as much fun as playing it on an SNES.”
- “The optimization is top-notch, allowing for seamless gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
- “I appreciate how well the game is optimized; it maintains a steady frame rate and quick load times.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The humor in the game is derived from its absurdity and questionable design choices, which players find both entertaining and frustrating during gameplay. This blend of hilarity and exasperation contributes to a unique comedic experience.
- “I have multiple top times in this game's stage time attack, but doing a whole run is just hilariously awful because there are so many questionable decisions.”
- “The humor in this game is top-notch; I found myself laughing out loud at the absurd situations and witty dialogue.”
- “Every character has a unique sense of humor that keeps the gameplay fresh and entertaining, making even the toughest challenges enjoyable.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
While the reviews highlight the game's beautiful pixel art and engaging visual style, they do not specifically address character development, focusing instead on gameplay mechanics and aesthetics. This suggests that character development may not be a central feature of the game, with more emphasis placed on the overall experience and design elements.
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game demonstrates excellent stability, particularly on the Steam Deck, where it runs smoothly without significant issues.
- “Runs great on the Steam Deck.”