Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound - Is This Retro Throwback Actually *Good*? (Spoiler: Critics Reckon So)
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Critics are raving about *Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound*, a new 2D side-scrolling entry in the classic series that embraces an 8-bit art style, leaving us all wondering if this nostalgia trip is worth the hype or if we should wait for the mainline sequel.
Alright, buckle up, mates, because something unexpected just happened in the gaming universe. Remember Ninja Gaiden, that brutally hard, pixel-perfect action series that made you want to throw your controller through the wall? Well, a new entry just dropped, and critics are… loving it? I know, I'm as surprised as you are.
According to Game Rant, *Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound*, developed by The Game Kitchen (the folks behind Blasphemous 2), has been getting some seriously impressive reviews. Priye Rai at Game Rant reports the side-scrolling platformer, which released on July 31st for PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch, is sitting pretty with an average score of 87 on OpenCritic based on 45 reviews. Bloody hell, that's high!
Now, you might be thinking, "Another Ninja Gaiden? Isn't Ryu Hayabusa getting a bit tired?" Well, Ragebound throws a kunai-shaped wrench into the works by introducing new playable characters: Kenji Muzo and Kumori. Think of it as a refreshing side quest from the main story. And here's the kicker: it's a return to the franchise's 2D roots, something we haven't seen in a standalone entry since 1992. Remember those Sega Master System days? (Yeah, I'm showing my age).
But what's *really* got everyone's attention is the 8-bit art style. Talk about a nostalgia bomb! It's like The Game Kitchen fired up a time machine and cranked it to the '80s. The article points out this title slots in-between *Ninja Gaiden 2 Black* (released in January) and *Ninja Gaiden 4* (coming in October) as the second of three Ninja Gaiden releases this year. So, it's a full-on Ninja Gaiden renaissance, apparently.
And here's where it gets even more interesting. Game Rant notes that *Ragebound* is currently the highest-rated platformer of 2025 so far (ouch, Blade Chimera!), and it's sitting alongside some major hitters like *Mario Kart World* and *Yakuza 0: Director's Cut* in the overall rankings. Seriously?
Even Game Rant's own review gave it a whopping 9 out of 10, calling it a "near-perfect" version of the classic 2D formula. But let's be honest, high scores don't always translate to a good time. Is this just nostalgia goggles at work, or is *Ragebound* actually a genuinely great game?
I reckon the positive critical reception is a good sign, especially given the reputation of both the Ninja Gaiden IP (owned by Koei Tecmo) and The Game Kitchen. But the real test will be how it performs commercially compared to The Game Kitchen's other projects. Will it be a hidden gem, or a full-blown commercial success? Only time will tell.
Speaking of success, all eyes are now on *Ninja Gaiden 4*, which is scheduled to launch on October 21st. It's the first mainline entry in 13 years and introduces a new protagonist named Yakumo. Can it live up to the hype generated by *Ragebound*? Or will it be a case of too much, too soon for Ninja Gaiden fans? I'm genuinely curious. Consider me cautiously optimistic (with a healthy dose of skepticism, naturally).
So, the big question: are *you* willing to take the plunge and revisit the 2D ninja action of yesteryear? Or are you holding out for *Ninja Gaiden 4*? Let me know in the comments below. I'm itching to hear your thoughts, mate.
Tags: Ninja Gaiden, Retro Gaming, Platformer, Game Review, Indie Games
Original article: Game Rant