Shinobi's Back, Mate! But Hold Your Horses, It's Not the Kojima Crossover You Hoped For
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
A new Shinobi game is on the horizon, showcased at the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase, but the rumours of Hideo Kojima's involvement were sadly just wishful thinking. The trailer offers a glimpse of intense ninja action, but whether it lives up to the legacy remains to be seen.
Right, settle in, because this one's a bit of a rollercoaster. Nintendo just dropped a Partner Showcase, and nestled in amongst all the shiny new things was a trailer for 'Shinobi: Art of Vengeance.' Now, for those of you who've been gaming since back when pixels were the size of your thumb, you'll know Shinobi is a proper old-school ninja franchise. This new one looks… well, let's just say it looks like someone's taken the classic formula and given it a modern, slightly grittier makeover. Think stealth, think swords, think suspiciously athletic jumps over bottomless pits. You know the drill.
But here's where things get a bit twisty. See, the internet went absolutely bonkers with rumours that Hideo Kojima – yes, *the* Hideo Kojima – was somehow involved, possibly even going to make an appearance. I saw some right wild theories flying around. Turns out (and thanks to the good folks at IGN South Africa for clearing this up) that it's all a load of cobblers. Kojima's nowhere near this. And on top of that no, he won’t be playing Metal Gear Solid Delta Snake Eater either. Gutted, I know. It's like when you think you've found a legendary sword only to discover it's made of plastic. Still, a new Shinobi game is nothing to sniff at!
The 'Art of Vengeance' demo trailer (you can catch it on IGN South Africa’s website, of course) shows off some slick-looking gameplay. We're talking close-quarters combat, ninja stars flying everywhere, and a protagonist who's clearly had a *lot* of practice not getting stabbed. The art style is… interesting. It's definitely aiming for that ‘dark and gritty’ vibe, but it remains to be seen if it’ll land. I'm personally a bit on the fence. The environments look detailed, but the character models are giving me slightly uncanny valley vibes. Perhaps it will grow on me, perhaps it is a matter of seeing it on the Nintendo Switch’s OLED screen.
So, what's the takeaway here? Shinobi is back, which is pretty cool. The trailer looks promising, even if it does feel a little...generic at times. And no, Hideo Kojima isn't involved (unless he's secretly pulling the strings from behind the shadows, which, let's be honest, wouldn't entirely surprise me). But honestly, the lack of Kojima involvement may be a good thing! Perhaps it is time someone else gets their time in the sun, perhaps this Shinobi game will be something that will be remembered in a few years time. This is one to watch, and I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for more news as it drops. Maybe they’ll surprise us all, eh? It is a Shinobi game after all!
What are you thoughts, mate? Do you think the game looks good? Are you excited, or are you going to be more careful with what you believe on the internet?
Tags: Shinobi, Nintendo Switch, Action Game, Ninja, IGN South Africa
Original article: IGN South Africa