Shinobi: Art of Vengeance – SEGA Officially Revives the Legendary Franchise
More than 30 years after its debut, Shinobi is making a triumphant return! SEGA and Lizardcube have officially unveiled Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, the highly anticipated revival of the legendary ninja-action series. First teased at The Game Awards 2023, the game was formally revealed during Sony’s State of Play, with a launch set for August 29, 2025, on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
To celebrate this momentous announcement, SEGA of Japan’s Chief Producer, Toru Ohara, and Lizardcube’s Creative Director, Ben Fiquet, sat down for an exclusive Q&A to discuss the game’s inspiration, art direction, gameplay mechanics, and how this revival stays true to the Shinobi legacy.
Bringing Shinobi Back: A Classic Reimagined
Why revive the Shinobi franchise now?
🗣 Toru Ohara – Chief Producer, SEGA of Japan:
"Shinobi has been an iconic part of SEGA’s history for over three decades. Many players have nostalgic memories of the series, while others may be discovering it for the first time. Our goal with this revival is to deliver a fresh experience that respects the original games while appealing to modern players."
What inspired the game’s artistic direction?
🗣 Ben Fiquet – Creative Director, Lizardcube:
"We took inspiration from our work on Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap and Streets of Rage 4. Shinobi blends hand-drawn 2D animation with a visual style influenced by French comics, Japanese anime, and classic Sega Mega Drive aesthetics. This creates a unique, beautifully animated world that captures the essence of the original games."*
A Tribute to the Past, A Step Into the Future
How does Shinobi: Art of Vengeance honour the classic games?
Fiquet emphasized that the game draws heavy inspiration from The Revenge of Shinobi (1989) and Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master (1993):
Iconic abilities return – Special powers, fast-paced swordplay, and smooth ninja movement.
Classic enemies & bosses – Familiar foes make a comeback, with modern twists.
Legendary stages reimagined – The famous Bamboo Forest from previous games is back, fully redrawn in stunning hand-drawn animation.
🗣 Ohara:
"Joe Musashi returns as the protagonist, a name that holds deep meaning for fans. However, this is a brand-new story with fresh gameplay mechanics, ensuring both newcomers and longtime fans can dive right in."
The Meaning Behind “Art of Vengeance”
What does “Art of Vengeance” represent?
🗣 Ohara:
"At the start of the game, Joe Musashi suffers a devastating tragedy. He embarks on a path of vengeance against a powerful organization, facing overwhelming challenges at every turn. Throughout the game, he encounters allies, battles formidable enemies, and endures further loss."
The game’s mechanics reflect this theme with “Shinobi Execution” attacks, a powerful finishing move that lets players eliminate foes with precision and style. Lizardcube’s distinct hand-drawn animations add a dramatic, cinematic flair to every move—visually embodying the “art” of vengeance.
Gameplay & Combat: A Ninja’s Arsenal
What kind of weapons and tools will players have?
Fast-paced ninja action – Fluid combat that blends swordplay, acrobatics, and stealth.
Katana & Kunai mastery – Players can chain attacks using multiple techniques for each weapon.
Stage-based exploration – Unlike Metroidvania games, Shinobi follows a structured level-based design. However, later abilities unlock hidden paths and secrets, encouraging replayability.
🗣 Ohara:
"Joe is always in motion, continuously attacking and reacting to different enemy types. The high-speed gameplay and responsive controls make combat feel incredibly smooth and rewarding."
Lizardcube’s animation expertise brings every attack to life, making it visually stunning while delivering tight, satisfying gameplay.
What’s Next for Shinobi?
What excites the developers most about this project?
🗣 Ohara:
"Everything! The return of the Shinobi series, the art direction, and the fast, fluid combat. We can’t wait for players to finally experience it!"
🗣 Fiquet:
"The combat system, the ninja moves, and the pure joy of playing as Joe Musashi. It’s incredibly rewarding, and we hope both new and longtime fans will love it."
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance – Release Date & Platforms
honourRelease Date: August 29, 2025
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Developer: SEGA of Japan & Lizardcube
With stunning hand-drawn visuals, thrilling ninja combat, and a deep revenge-driven narrative, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is shaping up to be a must-play return of a SEGA classic.
Will you embrace the way of the Shinobi? Let us know in the comments!