Mexican Ninja – Preview
I stumbled upon a world where Japan and Mexico met…
Few games have the courage to tell you in the very first sentence that their premise is completely absurd. Mexican Ninja, the new title developed by Romanian studio Amber in collaboration with Madbricks, invites you into a universe where Japan and Mexico collided so hard that they created a shared space. From this geographical and cultural chaos, Nuevo Tokyo was born, a city dominated by cartels and mafias that have united into a single lethal organisation called Narkuza.
In this place, there isn't much poetry. The streets are ruled by traffickers and yakuzas, and the only law you respect is that of the sword. The main character, a Mexican ninja who has no problem expressing himself colourfully, embarks on an adventure full of fights, dark humour, and moments where you wonder if someone didn't just pour tequila over a classic anime script.
Beat 'em up with a spicy twist
At its core, Mexican Ninja is a beat 'em up with roguelike elements and a retro style inspired by 90s arcade games. This means you'll roam pixelated streets until exhaustion, face waves of enemies, and try to take down the five Narkuza clan bosses. Each confrontation is different, and progress relies on your ability to synchronise movements, build spectacular combos, and choose special powers at the right moment.
The developers promise a progression system that isn't limited to a few boring upgrades. Instead of a classic skill tree, you get the Way of the Donkey, an ability tree that offers multiple ways to customise your playstyle. You can become a master of quick strikes, an expert in powerful attacks, or even an inventor who combines Mexican and Japanese disciplines into an amalgam of lethal techniques.
In each game session, you have the chance to unlock temporary abilities and receive the blessing of Mexican and Japanese spirits, which adds an unpredictable dimension to the experience. Basically, no two runs are alike, which is part of the roguelike charm.
Humour, rebellious spirit, and colourful language
If you imagined a sober game with ninjas meditating under a full moon, you need to recalibrate your expectations. Mexican Ninja is full of harsh lines, playful expressions in English and Spanish, and dialogues that sometimes give you the impression you're watching a combination of a Tarantino film and a karate telenovela.
The developers aren't afraid to push the humour to extremes. There are references to urban culture, social realities, and action movie clichés, but all are presented with an energy that doesn't allow you to get bored. It's the kind of game that knows it's absurd and has fun with its own absurdity.
How does it look technically?
Beyond the story and humour, Mexican Ninja offers a 2.5D visual presentation, with characters and environments that combine retro pixel art with a modern polish. The graphics are clearly designed to evoke arcade nostalgia, but at the same time offer enough expressiveness to capture the personality of each character.
On the technical side, the requirements aren't exaggerated. The game runs on Windows 10 or later, needs 8 GB RAM, and a modest graphics card like a GTX 950 or Radeon R7 360 to run decently. For an optimal experience, an RTX 2060 or RX 5600 XT graphics card and 16 GB RAM are recommended. It's clear that the title was designed to be accessible to a wide range of players and not just those with high-end machines.
The game is exclusively single-player but supports Steam features like Cloud and Family Sharing. In addition to English, it can be played in 13 other languages, demonstrating that Amber and Madbricks have the ambition to conquer an international audience.
Launch and the special moment in Bucharest
Mexican Ninja is still in production and has a release window of the first half of 2026. But the good news is you don't have to wait until then to get your hands on a sword. On 11 and 12 October, at Bucharest Gaming Week 2025, you'll be able to play the game's demo for the first time.
The event takes place in Bucharest and brings together gaming enthusiasts from all over the country and beyond. The Mexican Ninja stand (U4) is where players will be able to accept the challenges proposed by the developers and even win attractive prizes. For many, it will be the first opportunity to taste the chaotic atmosphere of Nuevo Tokyo and see what a Mexican ninja feels like in action.
The premiere presentation of the demo at #BGW2025 confirms that Romanian game studios are becoming increasingly visible on both the local and international scene. Amber, one of the largest independent studios in Romania, once again shows its ambition to create original and courageous experiences.
Why you should follow this game
Mexican Ninja is not just a cultural experiment, but also a statement of intent. It's a game that combines absurd humour with well-thought-out gameplay, managing to be nostalgic and fresh at the same time, and unafraid to be different.
If you're a fan of classic beat 'em ups but want something more modern and spicy, this title promises to deliver exactly that. If you're drawn to bizarre stories and unusual characters, you'll definitely feel at home in the world of Narkuza. And if you want to see what the Romanian gaming industry can deliver, then Mexican Ninja is the perfect example of local creativity with global potential.
Ultimately, the game only asks you to step into the shoes of a ninja with hot Mexican blood and Japanese discipline. All you have to do is put on your mask, sharpen your sword, and prepare your fingers for combos. And if you happen to be at Bucharest Gaming Week in October, don't miss the chance to be among the first to experience the adventure. Who knows, maybe you'll discover your own inner donkey's path right then.
