Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is a glorious remake of the classic 1990 NES game. It’s a testament to the enduring power of timeless gameplay and the artistry of pixel art. This remake not only captures the essence of the original but also introduces modern enhancements that elevate the experience. Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is a making it a must-own for both fans of the series and newcomers to the world of ninja action.
The first thing that’s apparent of this The game’s visuals are a breathtaking blend of nostalgia and innovation. The pixel art style is reminiscent of the NES era, but with a modern polish that makes everything pop. The updated sprites are detailed and brimming with detail. The animations are smooth and fluid, and the environments are beautifully detailed. Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn stands out among other retro remakes due to its faithful recreation of the original game and its commitment to modernizing the experience without losing the charm of the classic. The addition of bloom to the art style really makes certain actions stand out, like when lightning imbues your blade. While other remakes may focus solely on updating the visuals, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn also improves the gameplay and adds new features that enhance the overall experience.
The core gameplay of Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn remains largely unchanged from the original. You control Hayate, or Kaede when played in co-op. While the core gameplay is familiar, there are a few new additions that enhance the experience. The game now features a checkpoint system, which can be a lifesaver in the more challenging sections. There’s also a new “Hardcore” mode for those looking for a real challenge. Additionally, the game includes a gallery mode that allows you to view concept art and other behind-the-scenes materials.
The levels are filled with enemies, traps, and platforming challenges. The controls are responsive and intuitive, making it easy to navigate the levels and dispatch enemies. That is, until you get to areas that require climbing or platforming, and that’s when things get problematic and imprecise. Climbing requires double-tapping of a button, and it’s just neither fun or engaging. There’s stuff like this that preserving things shouldn’t always be kept for the sake of it. Bosses are a highlight of the game, and should be treated with respect, as they are incredibly challenging.
You’ll gain access to ninja gear throughout your time in the game. While the gear consists of offensive weapons like shurikens, defensive weapons like smoke, and healing items, that’s not the issue. It’s often that you’ll clumsily been swapping through them using the d-pad in the heat of battle, and likely selecting the wrong one for the occasion.
One area where Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn tried to be improved, was its length. While the original game was relatively short, the remake feels a bit too brief, still. Now, all five original levels have been remade here, with an entirely new sixth stage was added just for this game. This is good for a couple of reasons, it gives something new for long-time veterans of this cult classic, while extending the game’s playtime ever so slightly.
The soundtrack is also a highlight, featuring catchy tunes that perfectly complement the gameplay from the one and only Iku Mizutani of Natsume fame.
The game’s performance is excellent on both PC and Steam Deck. The framerate is consistently smooth, making Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn‘s portability on Steam Deck makes it a great choice for nothing other than comfort.
My Steam Deck (OLED) Specs
– SteamOS 3 (Arch-based)
– Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32)
– 16 GB LPDDR5 on-board RAM (6400 MT/s quad 32-bit channels)
– 8 RDNA 2 CUs, 1.6GHz (1.6 TFlops FP32)
– Steam Deck 1TB NVMe SSD
– HDR OLED (16:9 @ 1280 x 800)
Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is a remarkable achievement that perfectly captures the spirit of the original game while introducing modern enhancements that elevate the experience. This is not a long game, and neither was the original, but even with the additional stage it’ll be over quickly. The controls can be imprecise at times, but it doesn’t detract from the fun it brings. Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is a must-play for fans of the original game and anyone looking for a fun and challenging retro-style experience.
A Steam code was provided in advance by the publisher for review purposes
