12 Best Games Like Shinobi: Art of Vengeance

What Makes a Game Similar to Shinobi: Art of Vengeance?

SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance is a single-player 2D action platformer developed by SEGA and Lizardcube and published by SEGA. Its defining identity connects ninja combat, hand-drawn animation, platforming, martial arts, hack-and-slash action, exploration, and ability-based progression.

A meaningful alternative should share several defining attributes:

• 2D action platforming: movement and combat unfold across side-scrolling stages or interconnected areas.
• Blade-focused combat: swords, katanas, polearms, or close-range weapons create the main offensive rhythm.
• Ninja or martial-arts identity: mobility, discipline, assassination, ninjutsu, or combat technique shape the fantasy.
• Responsive movement: jumping, dashing, wall movement, grappling, air control, or acrobatics are integral to success.
• Combo flow: attacks, launches, abilities, movement, and finishers can be linked into continuous sequences.
• Enemy readability: animations, spacing, attack tells, and positioning communicate when to strike, evade, or counter.
• Boss encounters: larger enemies test pattern recognition, mobility, timing, and use of the full combat kit.
• Exploration and ability gating: new movement or combat abilities reveal routes, secrets, upgrades, or previously inaccessible areas.
• Mastery-driven difficulty: improvement depends on learning systems and execution rather than statistics alone.
• Distinct visual identity: hand-drawn art, pixel animation, stylized effects, or strong silhouettes support combat clarity.
• Single-player progression: stages, maps, upgrades, weapons, abilities, or narrative discoveries create forward momentum.
• Replayable encounters: time trials, secrets, alternate routes, challenge rooms, rankings, or build choices reward return play.

No single game reproduces Joe Musashi, SHINOBI’s exact ninjutsu, hand-drawn Lizardcube presentation, stage flow, execution system, and combat-platforming balance. The games below are ranked by overlap with its ninja identity, 2D movement, melee combat, exploration, bosses, visual style, and mastery loop.

Games Like Shinobi: Art of Vengeance at a Glance

1. NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound

Closest match for: side-scrolling ninja action, sword combat, precise platforming, fast movement, challenging stages, enemies, and bosses
Developer: The Game Kitchen
Publishers: Dotemu and Joystick
Release date: July 31, 2025
Mode: Single-player
Genres: Action, adventure, indie, and platformer

NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound is the closest overall alternative because it is built around the same fundamental relationship between ninja movement, side-scrolling combat, stage hazards, and execution.

Its combat rewards fast reactions and accurate positioning. Enemies, projectiles, gaps, walls, and traversal opportunities create a continuous sequence rather than separating platforming from fights.

Ragebound uses pixel art and draws more directly from classic Ninja Gaiden design. SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance uses hand-drawn animation and a broader Metroidvania influence, but both modernize arcade-era ninja action around clear controls and demanding stages.

How NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound Compares with SHINOBI

• Shared: ninja identity, 2D platforming, side-scrolling action, sword combat, fast movement, single-player stages, enemy patterns, challenging encounters, and retro lineage.
• Different: Ragebound uses pixel art, Ninja Gaiden lore, a more direct stage structure, and its own character-switching combat systems.
• Choose it if: you want the most direct modern alternative for classic ninja platforming and combat.

2. The Messenger

Closest match for: ninja movement, responsive platforming, weapon attacks, ability progression, nonlinear exploration, bosses, and retro action
Developer: Sabotage
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Release date: August 30, 2018
Mode: Single-player
Genres: Action, adventure, RPG, indie, and platformer

The Messenger begins as a focused ninja action platformer and later expands into a larger time-traveling adventure.

Cloudstepping allows another jump after striking enemies, projectiles, or objects. Movement and offense therefore become one system, rewarding players who maintain momentum through a stage.

The game uses pixel art and a humorous narrative rather than SHINOBI’s hand-drawn vengeance story. Its transformation from linear platforming into nonlinear exploration makes it one of the strongest matches for players who value both stages and discovery.

How The Messenger Compares with SHINOBI

• Shared: ninja protagonist, 2D platforming, side-scrolling combat, movement chaining, upgrades, bosses, secrets, Metroidvania structure, and mastery-based play.
• Different: The Messenger uses retro pixel graphics, time travel, comedic dialogue, and a deliberate shift between linear and nonlinear design.
• Choose it if: you want classic ninja platforming that gradually opens into exploration.

3. Blasphemous 2

Closest match for: 2D melee combat, multiple weapons, nonlinear exploration, movement abilities, boss encounters, secrets, and a distinctive hand-crafted world
Developer: The Game Kitchen
Publisher: Team17
Release date: August 24, 2023
Mode: Single-player
Genres: Action, adventure, indie, and platformer

Blasphemous 2 places the Penitent One inside a nonlinear world shaped by religious imagery, grotesque enemies, hidden paths, and demanding combat.

Different weapons affect range, movement, environmental interaction, and attack rhythm. Exploration abilities and weapon functions open routes while bosses test pattern recognition and control.

Its movement is heavier and the tone is darker than SHINOBI. The closest relationship is the fusion of 2D combat, ability-gated exploration, visual identity, and carefully staged boss encounters.

How Blasphemous 2 Compares with SHINOBI

• Shared: 2D action platformer, Metroidvania exploration, melee weapons, hack-and-slash combat, ability gating, bosses, secrets, difficult encounters, and stylized art.
• Different: Blasphemous 2 uses Gothic religious fantasy, pixel art, Souls-like punishment, and a heavier combat tempo.
• Choose it if: nonlinear exploration and difficult melee bosses matter more than ninja speed.

4. Katana ZERO

Closest match for: katana combat, rapid dashes, instant resets, precision timing, acrobatic room clears, visual style, and narrative momentum
Developer: Askiisoft
Publisher: Devolver Digital
Release date: April 18, 2019
Mode: Single-player
Genres: Action, indie, and platformer

Katana ZERO turns each combat space into a short sequence that must be understood and executed cleanly.

The protagonist can slash, dash, deflect projectiles, use objects, and manipulate time. One mistake can reset the encounter immediately, making failure part of route discovery.

The game is more puzzle-like and does not use an interconnected Metroidvania map. Its stylish sword combat and emphasis on perfect movement make it a strong match for SHINOBI players who enjoy mechanical precision.

How Katana ZERO Compares with SHINOBI

• Shared: 2D action platforming, blade combat, dashing, fast resets, enemy readability, acrobatic movement, single-player story, stylish effects, and mastery.
• Different: Katana ZERO uses one-hit combat, time manipulation, compact rooms, pixel art, and a neo-noir cyberpunk narrative.
• Choose it if: solving combat spaces through speed and exact execution is your priority.

5. Afterimage

Closest match for: hand-drawn 2D art, fast melee combat, character builds, nonlinear levels, ability progression, fantasy exploration, and bosses
Developer: Aurogon Shanghai
Publisher: Maximum Entertainment
Release date: April 24, 2023
Mode: Single-player
Genre: Platformer

Afterimage is a hand-drawn action adventure set across the ruins of a large fantasy world.

Weapons, equipment, abilities, and character builds allow different approaches to combat. Nonlinear areas contain routes, secrets, enemies, and bosses that become accessible as movement options expand.

Afterimage is more strongly structured as an action RPG, with broader equipment and statistical progression. SHINOBI keeps its identity closer to ninja combat and authored action-platforming flow.

How Afterimage Compares with SHINOBI

• Shared: hand-drawn presentation, 2D platforming, Metroidvania structure, fast combat, hack and slash, nonlinear exploration, abilities, bosses, and single-player progression.
• Different: Afterimage emphasizes equipment, character builds, fantasy lore, a larger map, and Souls-like influences.
• Choose it if: you want a broader hand-drawn world with more RPG customization.

6. Moonscars

Closest match for: difficult 2D melee combat, nonlinear exploration, dodging, abilities, enemy patterns, boss fights, and mastery through failure
Developer: Black Mermaid
Publisher: Balor Games
Release date: September 27, 2022
Mode: Single-player
Genres: Action, adventure, fighting, indie, and platformer

Moonscars places Grey Irma in a nonlinear world where combat skill and new abilities reveal further progression.

Attacks, dodges, special actions, and resource decisions shape close-range encounters. Death provides information about enemy placement, timing, and boss behavior.

Its pace is more deliberate than SHINOBI and its structure leans further into Souls-like punishment. Both games require players to convert repeated attempts into cleaner movement and combat decisions.

How Moonscars Compares with SHINOBI

• Shared: 2D action, platforming, melee combat, nonlinear exploration, difficult enemies, abilities, bosses, side-scrolling presentation, and mastery-driven progression.
• Different: Moonscars uses dark pixel art, Souls-like systems, heavier movement, resource recovery, and a bleak fantasy narrative.
• Choose it if: you want slower, harsher combat where every failed attempt teaches a pattern.

7. Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight

Closest match for: 2D platforming, combo attacks, dodging, exploration, boss encounters, cursed environments, and compact progression
Developer: Bombservice
Publisher: PLAYISM
Release date: March 4, 2016
Mode: Single-player
Genres: Action, adventure, indie, and platformer

Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight sends a priestess through a cursed land using close-range combos, ranged attacks, dodges, items, and upgrades.

Its interconnected areas reward careful exploration while enemies and bosses demand quick defensive reactions. Compact scale keeps new discoveries and combat encounters close together.

The game lacks SHINOBI’s ninja identity and broader combo spectacle. It preserves the combination of responsive side-scrolling action, exploration, and demanding boss patterns.

How Momodora Compares with SHINOBI

• Shared: 2D platformer, side-scrolling action, melee combos, dodging, exploration, upgrades, bosses, secrets, difficult encounters, and single-player play.
• Different: Momodora uses pixel art, a cursed fantasy setting, ranged leaf attacks, Souls-like influence, and a smaller map.
• Choose it if: you want a compact Metroidvania with precise combat and memorable bosses.

8. Gestalt: Steam & Cinder

Closest match for: tight 2D platforming, fast combat, ability progression, handcrafted environments, narrative momentum, and retro-modern presentation
Developer: Metamorphosis Games
Publisher: Fireshine Games
Release date: July 16, 2024
Mode: Single-player
Genres: Action, adventure, RPG, and indie

Gestalt: Steam & Cinder combines platforming and combat inside a handcrafted steampunk world inspired by 16-bit and 32-bit action games.

Melee attacks, ranged tools, movement, upgrades, and exploration support progression through interconnected environments. Story and worldbuilding receive more emphasis than in arcade-style stage games.

Its steampunk setting and RPG systems differ from SHINOBI’s martial identity. The shared design space is responsive 2D action presented with modern visual polish and retro structure.

How Gestalt Compares with SHINOBI

• Shared: 2D platforming, fast combat, abilities, exploration, handcrafted world, side-scrolling action, bosses, story, and single-player progression.
• Different: Gestalt uses pixel art, steampunk technology, ranged weapons, RPG systems, and a more narrative-led Metroidvania format.
• Choose it if: story and worldbuilding are as important as platforming and combat.

9. Anomaly Agent

Closest match for: fluid side-scrolling combat, martial attacks, combos, mobility, stylish effects, enemy groups, and progression
Developer: Phew Phew Games
Publishers: Phew Phew Games and GameDev.ist
Release date: January 24, 2024
Mode: Single-player
Genres: Action, adventure, and indie

Anomaly Agent is a cyberpunk action adventure built around melee strings, firearms, movement, groups of enemies, and a time-bending story.

Combat emphasizes maintaining momentum through attacks, launches, repositioning, and crowd control. Bright effects and readable animation make each impact easy to follow.

It is closer to a side-scrolling brawler than a Metroidvania platformer. Its strongest SHINOBI relationship is combat flow and the satisfaction of linking actions through a group without losing control.

How Anomaly Agent Compares with SHINOBI

• Shared: 2D action, platforming, side-scrolling combat, hack and slash, martial movement, combos, stylish presentation, abilities, and single-player story.
• Different: Anomaly Agent uses cyberpunk environments, guns, brawler-like enemy groups, choices, and time anomalies.
• Choose it if: combo-heavy combat matters more than exploration or ninja theming.

10. Ghostrunner

Closest match for: sword combat, dashing, wall-running, grappling, instant failure, movement puzzles, fast resets, and mechanical mastery
Developers: One More Level, 3D Realms, Slipgate Ironworks, and All in! Games
Publisher: 505 Games
Release date: October 27, 2020
Mode: Single-player
Genre: Action

Ghostrunner places a cybernetic swordsman inside a vertical tower where movement and combat must form one uninterrupted route.

Wall-runs, slides, grapples, dashes, aerial control, and time manipulation help the player cross hazards and defeat enemies. Both protagonist and many enemies can fall in one hit, so clean execution is essential.

The first-person perspective changes spatial awareness substantially. Its relevance comes from the same cycle of observation, failure, rapid restart, and eventual flow.

How Ghostrunner Compares with SHINOBI

• Shared: swordplay, fast-paced action, hack and slash, precise movement, dashing, wall traversal, difficult encounters, single-player progression, fast resets, and mastery.
• Different: Ghostrunner is a first-person cyberpunk game with one-hit combat, three-dimensional parkour, firearms, and movement-puzzle arenas.
• Choose it if: speed and acrobatic execution matter more than the 2D perspective.

11. Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun

Closest match for: ninja specialists, assassination, stealth, martial abilities, historical Japan, enemy patrols, tactical planning, and mastery
Developer: Mimimi Games
Publisher: Daedalic Entertainment
Release date: December 6, 2016
Mode: Single-player
Genres: Strategy and indie

Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun follows five specialists recruited for assassination, sabotage, and espionage in Edo-period Japan.

Each character has distinct movement, distraction, disguise, ranged, trapping, or assassination functions. Patrol routes and lines of sight turn each location into a tactical problem.

The game contains no platforming and replaces direct combo execution with synchronized planning. It represents the stealth and tactical side of the shinobi fantasy rather than SHINOBI’s arcade action.

How Shadow Tactics Compares with SHINOBI

• Shared: ninja themes, martial specialists, assassination, stealth, Japanese setting, distinct abilities, enemy patterns, single-player missions, mastery, and replayable encounters.
• Different: Shadow Tactics is an isometric real-time tactics game based on squad control, patrol analysis, distractions, and simultaneous actions.
• Choose it if: planning a perfect infiltration is more appealing than performing one through reflexes.

12. Streets of Rage 4

Closest match for: Lizardcube visual design, hand-drawn animation, side-scrolling action, combos, enemy groups, bosses, arcade structure, and replayability
Developers: Dotemu, Guard Crush, and Lizardcube
Publisher: Dotemu
Release date: April 30, 2020
Modes: Single-player, PvP, co-op, multiplayer, online PvP, online co-op, and split-screen co-op
Genres: Action, adventure, fighting, and indie

Streets of Rage 4 is relevant because Lizardcube helped establish the hand-drawn action style later associated with SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance.

Its combat combines basic attacks, special moves, throws, aerial actions, positioning, and combo preservation across side-scrolling stages. Enemy groups and bosses require target priority and spatial control.

There is little platforming or exploration. The strongest connection is visual and mechanical: readable animation, arcade pacing, impactful combat, stage replayability, and a polished revival of a SEGA-era action identity.

How Streets of Rage 4 Compares with SHINOBI

• Shared: Lizardcube involvement, hand-drawn 2D art, side-scrolling action, combos, martial combat, stages, bosses, arcade influence, replayability, and full controller support.
• Different: Streets of Rage 4 is a beat-‘em-up with cooperative multiplayer, street brawling, multiple characters, and limited platforming.
• Choose it if: the hand-drawn presentation and combo system are more important than ninja exploration.

Which SHINOBI Alternative Should You Play First?

Choose according to the SHINOBI attribute you most want to preserve:

• Closest modern side-scrolling ninja action: NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound
• Retro ninja platforming and nonlinear discovery: The Messenger
• Hand-crafted Metroidvania exploration and bosses: Blasphemous 2
• Katana speed, instant resets, and precision: Katana ZERO
• Large hand-drawn world and RPG builds: Afterimage
• Punishing 2D melee mastery: Moonscars
• Compact exploration and responsive boss combat: Momodora
• Narrative-led retro-modern platforming: Gestalt: Steam & Cinder
• Fluid combos and side-scrolling martial action: Anomaly Agent
• First-person sword parkour: Ghostrunner
• Strategic ninja assassination: Shadow Tactics
• Lizardcube art and arcade combo flow: Streets of Rage 4

Other Relevant SHINOBI Alternatives

Several other games match narrower parts of SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance’s profile:

• Nocturnal combines hand-drawn side-scrolling action, platforming, exploration, mystery, and a fire-based sword mechanic in a compact linear adventure.
• Spiritfall emphasizes 2D platforming, hack-and-slash combat, launches, wall splats, divine powers, and roguelite run variation.
• Dishonored 2 translates assassination, supernatural mobility, stealth, tools, and creative route selection into first-person immersive-sim levels.
• Black Myth: Wukong provides martial combat, mythological abilities, transformations, bosses, pattern recognition, and action-RPG progression in a 3D world.
• Thank Goodness You’re Here! shares hand-drawn 2D presentation and platforming, but its comedy, exploration, and odd jobs place it far from SHINOBI’s combat intent.

How we chose these games

We started from the PC games we price that cover this topic, then added games that share at least four of SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance’s most characteristic Steam user tags, as read on 7 October 2026. Each one also had to show a concrete overlap in how it plays, not just a similar theme, to earn a place above.