Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound Takes Steam by Storm with Positive Reviews
Spanish developers The Game Kitchen recently launched their dynamic side-scroller, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, and it’s quickly garnered an outpouring of praise from players. Following initial press reviews, general players have flocked to Steam to share their overwhelmingly positive impressions, with the title currently holding a 95% “Very Positive” rating based on over 200 user reviews.
Players are highlighting the game's excellent combat mechanics, the diverse range of abilities available to the main characters, and its well-balanced, moderately challenging gameplay as key strengths. However, one of the most frequently mentioned downsides is the game’s relatively short duration.
Player Feedback: A Mixed Bag of Praise and Criticism
The community's response, while largely positive, offers a varied perspective on the game's design and value. Many players, even those not deeply familiar with the classic Ninja Gaiden series, have found the experience to be exceptional. They praise the seamless integration of mechanics, noting how the game actively encourages and rewards players for utilizing its full combat system. The difficulty, particularly towards the end, is often highlighted as a major draw for retro gamers seeking a genuine challenge, though infinite lives help make even the toughest segments surmountable through practice.
However, not all feedback is glowing. Some players have expressed concerns about the game's pricing policy, feeling that its cost is steep for a platformer that can be completed in under three hours. These reviews often point to other projects that offer significantly more content for a lower price point. Critics have also noted what they perceive as primitive level design, suggesting that while initial areas are engaging, later levels lack depth. Boss encounters have received mixed reactions; while some found them well-designed and challenging due to their unique patterns, others described them as repetitive and dull, particularly early on.
The game’s narrative dialogues were also a point of contention for some, who found them uninspired. While the pixel art style is generally appreciated for its functional role and nostalgic appeal, replayability is seen as limited beyond seeking out secrets and mastering timings. Despite these criticisms, many agree that the responsive controls and atmospheric music contribute to a solid gameplay experience.
For those familiar with The Game Kitchen’s previous work, such as the Blasphemous series, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound offers a different but equally compelling challenge. It provides an “adequate” difficulty that avoids the frustrating control schemes or overly restrictive health systems of older titles, while still featuring special missions with selectable difficulty levels to test veteran players.
What This Means for Players
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound appears to be a well-crafted, dynamic platformer that effectively reinterprets the classic 8-bit Ryu Hayabusa story for a modern audience. Its quick, action-packed gameplay and challenging boss fights are clear highlights, making it a strong contender for fans of fast-paced side-scrollers and those who appreciate a good pixel art aesthetic. While its shorter length and perceived value may give some players pause, the overwhelming positive reception suggests that for many, it delivers a masterful and thoroughly enjoyable experience. The game is currently available on PC (Steam), PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, featuring full Russian text localization.
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