Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn [Review]
Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn is a top-notch remake of an NES classic.
Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn. Credit: Inin / NatsumeAtari
Natsume’s Shadow of the Ninja, an 8-bit NES classic sidescroller, has been remade and resurrected as Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn by NatusmeAtari’s Tengo Project team (Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors, Pocky and Rocky Reshrined) and Inin. Reborn features gorgeous new pixel art that perfectly complements the game’s tight gameplay.
Players fight across six stages either solo or in 2-player co-op. You can run, jump, climb, and hang onto the underside of some platforms. Use your default katana and long-range hook to battle enemies and bosses. Tons of extra weapons with limited uses are also available, adding a ton of variety to the game’s combat. Finishing a level with these weapons still in hand makes them available in the shop.
Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn. Credit: Inin / NatsumeAtari
The art in Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn stands out. Like the original game, this remake is also a 2D sidescroller, except now it’s rendered in a beautiful 16 or 32-bit pixel art style. The detailed environments, laser and lightning effects, and massive bosses are impressive and make the game pure eye candy.
Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn feels great to play. The platforming and combat controls are tight. When I first started playing, I expected the game to be faster; the characters were heavier than I had anticipated. Once I got acclimated, everything felt natural.
Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn. Credit: Inin / NatsumeAtari
The game is challenging, but not unfairly so. Some practice will make you improve with each attempt at surviving the arcade action. Checkpoints are a big help, though I wish they were more frequent. It’s not a long game, but how long it takes will vary depending on your skill.
If you like action sidescrollers, I highly recommend Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn. It looks and plays great, is highly polished, and is a good challenge. I hope the team develops a sequel, because this game deserves one.
Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn is available now on PC (Steam), PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One / Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
Overall Score: 7/10
Played on: Xbox Series X
