Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Dev Says Its Storytelling Has an…

During the height of ninja popularity in the 80s and 90s, the Shinobi franchise was there to represent. The franchise has been on hiatus for a while now, but the series is coming back in full force with Shinobi: Art of Vengeance. Co-developed by Sega and Lizardcube, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance should still seem familiar to new fans because Lizardcube also made Streets of Rage 4.

The Best War Games recently discussed the upcoming title with Lizardcube CEO Ben Fiquet, who also discussed understanding the impact the franchise has on players. Perhaps most importantly, he spoke about how the team honored its arcade roots through storytelling, and there will certainly be more revivals for Sega fans in the future. After all, Shinobi is only the first of many classic game revivals planned by Sega.

How Lizardcube Worked to Keep Shinobi's Identity

Once again, the Oboro Clan has been put in harm's way, and it's up to Joe Musashi to seek justice. While this story is familiar to many players, Lizardcube chose to literally illustrate this story in a unique 2D art style with the same care the studio gave to Streets of Rage 4. Similarly to the beat-em-up revival, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance uses colorful effects to make Joe Musashi's skillset and moves a new, artistic kind of lethal.

The Shinobi series isn't often remembered for its story, but rather for its action, and Lizardcube understood this assignment to bring more of the action into its story. Fiquet told The Best War Games that the tale within Art of Vengeance serves to complement just how many enemies Musashi will have to strike down. As players make their way through bamboo forests, futuristic yet traditional cities, and more, they will find themselves taking down plenty of other ninjas, technological brutes, and possibly demons. Players might find this storytelling and combat, as the two intertwine, to be nostalgic in execution, with Fiquet saying,

"The story serves as a vessel to bring the action forward, heroes and foes facing off as 90s titles used to do so. You can say it has a sense of arcade touch."

It makes sense that Lizardcube would pay close attention to the game's pacing as a brand-new entry to a famous series. Fiquet has stated that alongside beautifully illustrated landscapes, the levels will aim to introduce new hazards and obstacles to specifically keep players' interest "sparked" at every turn. It seems that the narrative behind Joe Musashi's latest mission to avenge his clan might encourage this flow and intrigue throughout the journey.

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