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SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance similar games & best alternatives

SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance

PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 • 2025

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Quick resume

The iconic SHINOBI returns in an all-new 2D action platformer with a unique hand-drawn look created by the team behind the hit brawler Streets of Rage 4.

Global score

82/100

Genres

Action, Platform, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up

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    Pros

    • Fluid and deep combat system
    • Gorgeous hand-drawn art style
    • Engaging exploration with secrets and upgrades
    • Responsive controls and satisfying animations
    • Nostalgic homage to classic shinobi games

    Cons

    • Platforming sections can be frustrating and punishing
    • Short main campaign length
    • Boss fights sometimes underwhelming
    • Lack of harder difficulty modes
    • Limited replay value beyond arcade mode

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

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      "Players have freedom to choose playstyle, builds, and approach to combat and exploration."

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    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      4

      "Combat and platforming provide skill challenges and require mastery, though some controls are clunky."

      Capsule for They Always Run They Always Run

      "Combat is skill-based with deep combos and responsive controls; platforming offers challenge but some frustration."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      -3

      "Focus is on personal mastery and immersive experience rather than competing against others; no multiplayer or ranked modes mentioned."

      Capsule for Train Sim World® 3 Train Sim World® 3

      "Focus is on personal mastery and exploration; arcade mode offers scoring but no strong multiplayer competition."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      3

      "Players report replaying levels, enjoying arcade and boss rush modes, and returning for high scores."

      Capsule for Enemy Mind Enemy Mind

      "Players report wanting to replay arcade mode and boss rush; some frustration with platforming may limit long-term play."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      -5

      "Single-player experience with no mention of cooperative gameplay."

      Capsule for Breathedge Breathedge

      "Single-player experience with no mention of cooperative gameplay."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      3

      "Players can customize loadouts, experiment with many weapons and strategies, and modify gameplay settings, encouraging creative approaches."

      Capsule for Worbital Worbital

      "Players customize loadouts, combos, and ninpo abilities; level design encourages exploration and revisiting."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -5

      "No evidence of dominating others; gameplay is individual and skill-based."

      Capsule for Beat Da Beat Beat Da Beat

      "No evidence of dominating others; gameplay is individual and focused on personal skill."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "Immersive fantasy world and engaging combat provide distraction and escape from real life."

      Capsule for Vernal Edge Vernal Edge

      "Immersive combat and exploration provide strong distraction and fantasy escape from reality."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and nostalgia; no obligation or pressure noted."

      Capsule for Sneak Thief Sneak Thief

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and nostalgia; no obligation or pressure noted."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      4

      "Players try different builds, item combos, and strategies each run to find new ways to play."

      Capsule for Froggy's Battle Froggy's Battle

      "Players try different combos, ninpo, and revisit levels to discover secrets and new strategies."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      4

      "Level design encourages secret hunting and discovery, with evolving environments and hidden areas."

      Capsule for Darkenstein 3D Darkenstein 3D

      "Level design encourages discovering secrets, backtracking, and uncovering hidden areas."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      3

      "Character customization with outfits and cosmetic unlocks supports player expression."

      Capsule for Caveblazers Caveblazers

      "Customization of abilities and some cosmetic unlocks allow player expression."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      4

      "Strong fantasy ninja theme with supernatural powers and abilities."

      Capsule for Aragami 2 Aragami 2

      "Strong ninja fantasy theme with supernatural ninpo abilities and stylized combat."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      -5

      "No social or community features; experience is solitary."

      Capsule for Vernal Edge Vernal Edge

      "No social or community features mentioned; experience is solitary."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      4

      "Players develop skills in platforming and combat, and learn game mechanics progressively."

      Capsule for MIO: Memories in Orbit MIO: Memories in Orbit

      "Players learn and master complex combat mechanics and platforming challenges."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -5

      "Typical sedentary gaming experience with no physical activity elements."

      Capsule for Duelists of Eden Duelists of Eden

      "Typical sedentary gaming experience with no physical activity elements."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -4

      "Requires focused attention and skillful input; not a casual or background game."

      Capsule for Full Metal Furies Full Metal Furies

      "Requires focused attention and skillful input; not a casual or background game."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      -5

      "No evidence of close social relationships or emotional sharing in gameplay."

      Capsule for Undead Horde Undead Horde

      "No evidence of close social relationships or emotional sharing in gameplay."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      -5

      "No leadership or group management roles; purely single-player."

      Capsule for WRATH: Aeon of Ruin WRATH: Aeon of Ruin

      "No leadership or group management roles; purely single-player."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      4

      "Players accumulate upgrades, abilities, and collectibles that enhance gameplay and exploration."

      Capsule for The Knightling The Knightling

      "Players collect upgrades, unlock new abilities, and improve power through exploration."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      2

      "Some players find flow and enjoyment, but difficulty spikes and grind can cause tension."

      Capsule for Castlevania Advance Collection Castlevania Advance Collection

      "Some players find flow in combat, but platforming and difficulty spikes cause tension."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      4

      "Visually stunning graphics and flashy combat provide strong sensory stimulation."

      Capsule for Black Desert Black Desert

      "Visually stunning hand-drawn art and impactful combat animations provide strong sensory stimulation."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      -4

      "No social recognition or leaderboard emphasis; focus is on personal achievement."

      Capsule for I Expect You To Die 3: Cog in the Machine I Expect You To Die 3: Cog in the Machine

      "No social recognition or leaderboard emphasis; focus is on personal achievement."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      2

      "Narrative provides context and motivation, though story is considered serviceable rather than deeply immersive."

      Capsule for Tom Clancy’s The Division® 2 Tom Clancy’s The Division® 2

      "Story is serviceable and straightforward, providing context but not deeply immersive narrative."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      3

      "Combat and exploration require tactical thinking, skill timing, and planning."

      Capsule for Ys: Memories of Celceta Ys: Memories of Celceta

      "Combat and exploration require tactical thinking and planning of combos and ability use."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      3

      "Combat and platforming challenges create moments of tension and excitement."

      Capsule for Indiana Jones® and the Emperor's Tomb™ Indiana Jones® and the Emperor's Tomb™

      "Combat and platforming challenges create moments of tension and excitement."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      1

      "Generally positive value for price; some complaints about game length and bugs but overall rewarding experience."

      Capsule for Slave Zero X Slave Zero X

      "Generally positive value for price; some complaints about game length and replayability."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      4

      "Combat focused on sword fighting, defeating enemies, and boss battles."

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      "Combat focused on defeating enemies with combos, executions, and ninja arts."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      2

      "Players must avoid damage and manage resources to survive challenging enemies and hazards."

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      "Players must avoid damage and manage resources to survive combat and platforming hazards."

    Analysis

    Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fellowship, Cooperation, Leadership, Violence. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Violence, Expression. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Value.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Where to buy

    Last update: 30/04/2026