SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance similar games & best alternatives

SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance

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

Should you play it?

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.

What works
  • 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
Things to keep in mind
  • 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

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Mark of the Ninja: Remastered

  • The Rogue Prince of Persia

  • NINJA GAIDEN 4

  • Prince of Persia: Warrior Within™

  • Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo

  • Prince of Persia The Lost Crown

  • Gori: Cuddly Carnage

  • The Messenger

  • Afterimage

Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Vernal Edge

  • Stray Blade

  • The Darkest Tales

If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Autonomy

    RAIDBORN

  • Competence

    They Always Run

  • Escapism

    Vernal Edge

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

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

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • 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 (hidden on purpose).

SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fellowship, Violence, Survival, Cooperation. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Violence. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Value, Leadership.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

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

    Capsule for RAIDBORN RAIDBORN

    "Players have freedom to choose combat styles, combos, and exploration paths with backtracking and upgrades."

  • 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

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    "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

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    -5

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

    Capsule for Breathedge Breathedge

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

  • Creativity

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    3

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

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

  • Domination

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    -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

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    "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

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    "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

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    "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

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    "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 Stellar Blade™ Stellar Blade™

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

  • Growth

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    "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

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    -5

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

    Capsule for Assassin's Creed® Odyssey Assassin's Creed® Odyssey

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

  • Idle

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    "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

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

    Capsule for Alwa's Legacy Alwa's Legacy

    "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 InfraSpace InfraSpace

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

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

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

    Capsule for Zefyr: A Thief's Melody Zefyr: A Thief's Melody

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

  • Relaxation

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    "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

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    "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

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    2

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

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

  • Strategy

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

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

  • Thrill

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    "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

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    "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

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

    Capsule for Armed with Wings: Rearmed Armed with Wings: Rearmed

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

  • Survival

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    "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."

Last update: 01/06/2026