Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound – Review

Tradition meets innovation in a pixelated dance of death!

If you've ever wondered what life would be like for a supersonic ninja who leaps from rooftops, slices everything that moves, and still has time to take a selfie with fallen enemies, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is the answer for you. This title continues the series' tradition, but with a bit more aggression and a fistful of cinematic style that makes you feel like you're in an anime with an endless budget.

If you think about it, NG:R resembles a late night spent in Berceni, minus the anime elements. If you down two or three beers, the anime style might even resolve itself. And they say Romania isn't multicultural!

Our journey begins with a legacy…

Pure adrenaline from the first jump

From the very first minutes, the game grabs you and doesn't let go. You step into the shoes of Ryu Hayabusa, the legendary ninja, and find yourself thrown into battles that resemble a pyrotechnic display. You'll later guide his disciple, Kenji Mozu, a young ninja from the Hayabusa village. The attack combinations aren't just chaotic button mashing. They are ninja choreographies where every wrong step can mean a digital pool of blood that you could have avoided if you'd been careful.

The control is fast, precise, and sometimes brutally satisfying. Every katana attack, every acrobatic jump or perfect block makes you feel like you're part of a deadly dance. And when you activate the long combos that make enemies explode into dozens of particles of blood and shadows, you can't help but smile like a child who's discovered the last box of sweets in the cupboard.

Story or just a pretext for chaos?

In Ragebound's case, the story is like soy sauce: present, but not really the reason you opened the game. Kenji must confront a mysterious organisation that wants to turn the world into an even more violent place than it already was. There are secret plans, betrayals, and over-the-top boss designs, but honestly, who's looking at dialogue when you can swing a katana at hordes of cybernetic samurai? The story exists more to give you targets and motivation, which is perfect, because we all know the real fun is in the fight.

My favourite part, you ask? The crazy chase where I was pursued by some train-driving demons, I guess, comes to mind. Yes, I really like trains that much. Besides, this game is great for those gamers who want to lose a few pounds during their gaming sessions. Whether it's from nerves, or from the adrenaline flowing through your veins, or even both, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound brings out the best in you.

Cinematic combat with style

The thing that makes Ragebound stand out is how you feel when you fight. Every movement is fluid, and the camera, even if it sometimes makes your heart beat faster with fear that you'll get lost, accentuates every jump and every cut as if you were in a ninja movie trailer.

Long combos, the use of different weapons and special abilities create a flow that makes you forget about time. It's a kind of deadly choreography, only you're the star of the show and the only spectator… and, eventually, enemies turned into pixel confetti. Basically, all this waffle is a fancy way of saying, the game looks pretty, the game spills a lot of virtual blood, the game creates an adrenaline rush addiction.

Over-the-top bosses and funny mini-bosses?

If you thought normal fights were intense, wait until you see the bosses. Not only do they look like creatures straight out of an overloaded anime, but they also have attacks that make you raise your eyebrows and murmur "seriously now?" Some are gigantic, others fast as the wind, but all require attention, strategy, and ninja reflexes. And when you finally defeat them, it's like finishing a deadly puzzle where every piece was a trap for your digital ego.

Mini-bosses are a separate story, being combinations of exaggerated design and subtle humour. Some seem to dance to metal music before attacking you, while others have gestures that almost make you laugh as you try not to lose your virtual life. It's a strange balance between chaos and comic, but it works surprisingly well.

Graphics and atmosphere

Visually, Ragebound is a mix between stylised realism and anime aesthetics. Textures are detailed, environments have depth, and lighting accentuates the feeling of speed and intensity. It's like watching a hyper-violent cartoon, but with a serious undertone that tells you, yes, you really are a legendary ninja and it's not time to play around with enemies. Everything screams "action movie" and, honestly, it's hard not to feel like the protagonist of a ninja film with an endless budget.

The sound contributes to the same adrenaline rush. The SFX for hits, jumps, and explosions are satisfying, and the music accompanies every moment with fast, techno-metallic rhythms that make everything seem more alert. Combat isn't just about pressing buttons; it's about synchronisation and feeling badass while creating chaos.

What makes it special

In a market full of beat-'em-ups and hack-and-slashes, Ragebound shines through its combination of speed, precise control, and cinematic style. It's not a game for those who want to relax on the couch without doing anything. It's a game that demands attention, reflexes, and, yes, a little madness. But the rewards are worth it. Every battle won makes you feel like a true ninja, and every perfect combo gives you a boost of pure satisfaction.

Also, the range of screams, curses, and reactions, bordering on who knows what syndrome, that you have while playing, contributes to that level of uniqueness that you might only find at Mega Image on the shelf with quality cheeses imported from France. Yes, I'm talking about mouldy cheese, sheesh!

Adrenaline meets subtle humour

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is not for the faint of heart. It's fast, intense, sometimes over-the-top, but always satisfying. The combination of precise gameplay, cinematic fights, and memorable bosses creates an experience that makes you feel every movement and every cut. It's like an action rollercoaster, with moments that make you laugh and others that put your reflexes to the test.

If you're in the mood for a beat-'em-up that doesn't mess with you and makes you feel like a true ninja every second, Ragebound is exactly what you're looking for. Prepare your reflexes, raise your imaginary katana, and enter the chaos. You're guaranteed to experience laughter, punches, and the pure adrenaline that only a true ninja can propagate to a sufficiently high level.

Go on, give it a play and feel yourself become a ninja without smashing your TV in frustration, I dare ya!

And for my critic, he knows who he is, for the Titu Maiorescu of gaming in our times, with dedication and infinite solemnity, I award this game the following score: a solid 7.

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Played on: PlayStation 5
Release date: 31 July 2025
Developer: The Game Kitchen
Publisher: Dotemu, Joystick