It’s the year of the ninja with both Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound and Shinobi: Art of Vengeance releasing. When it comes to the latter, it has been many years since the SEGA IP has been seen. The game features a refreshed combat system, a new art style, and much more. In our review of the game, we offer up the possibility of it being a game of the year contender. Moreover, the game is already teasing its future DLC with SEGA Villains. However, as more people play the game, something comes to mind. Is Shinobi: Art of Vengeance a metroidvania or not?
Is Shinobi: Art of Vengeance a Metroidvania?
No, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is not a metroidvania title. However, it does have elements that feature in many games of the genre. Examples like backtracking in levels to progress through the main path. Also, going back to other areas after unlocking certain abilities. One of the most obvious examples is that you must defeat enemies in combat encounter rooms. Upon taking them all down, you can progress onwards. Many of these mechanics are newer to the Shinobi series as a whole. Furthermore, you can reach checkpoints and fast travel to different sections of the levels. Mainly due to the sheer size of each level.
However, a true component of metroidvanias is that all parts of the level connect as one big map. The first one that comes to mind that does this is Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. While there are different sections and rooms, they are all part of Dracula’s castle in the game. When it comes to Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, though, this doesn’t apply. The maps are expansive, with many paths and interconnecting rooms. But, they are separated by various actual levels, 14 in fact. So while the game does feature some of the elements for it, it is not a metroidvania.
What Genre Is Shinobi: Art of Vengeance?
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is actually a 2D action-platformer at its core. And not a metroidvania. When it comes to the gameplay, it is fast-paced katana-slicing action. Plus, the platforming is a big component in the game. Whether to progress through the story levels or hidden areas. Certain mechanics are designed to test the player’s ability to maneuver around. While games like Castlevania have platforming, they are not the biggest mechanic.
The Shinobi series has always had platforming and combat at the forefront. Whether in the arcade version or later entries. Therefore, adding elements of a genre doesn’t make it one. They may be prominent throughout the game, but they are not the core of it. However, it can be easy to think Art of Vengeance is a metroidvania at first glance. But it is actually labeled as an action platformer.
