NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound Launching Next Week

Sure thing! Here goes:

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So, like, the guys at Dotemu and The Game Kitchen, they’re all set to drop this new thing next week. It’s called NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound. It’s coming out on PlayStation and Nintendo Switch on July 31. Which — frankly — is too exciting for my inbox to handle. Gonna have to check it out, right?

Anyway, weird sidebar — there’s this video you gotta see, but you need to puff up your age credentials first. Like, put in your birth date and all. No idea why that stuck with me, but it’s kind of part of the gig.

Now, listen. This game ain’t your usual case of “let’s slap a new cover on it.” Nah, it’s a funky twist on that vintage side-scrolling NINJA GAIDEN magic. Just picture the classic Tecmo vibe crashing headlong into modern 3D intensity. It kinda feels like having a retro milkshake with a sprinkle of futuristic spice. Maybe that was intentional. Or maybe it was just a lucky roll.

And then there’s this backstory — Ryu Hayabusa, he’s supposed to be in the US — doing some tribute gig for his dad. Meanwhile, all hell breaks loose back home. Demons, yeah, actual ones, decide it’d be a blast to pop up in Hayabusa Village. Just… why?

Step in Kenji Mozu. Young ninja dude who’s got a knack for sticking his neck out. This kid’s gotta team up with the Black Spider Clan. Imagine that! Sort of like cats and dogs living together. But, you know, with swords.

I was supposed to talk about gameplay or something. Like, they’ve mashed up the old school with some slick polish — detail done to a near atomic level. Kenji and his buddy Kumori, they’re your main players, juggling ninja magic like nobody’s business. It’s kinda like patting your head and rubbing your stomach while tossing ninja stars. Tricky stuff. And there’s this thing called Ninja Fusion — sounds like a smoothie, right? Anyway, it’s more like obliterate-everything-in-your-path moves. Intriguing, I guess?

Visually, it’s all about the pixels. They’ve gone for this pixel-perfect, almost hand-crafted look. Nostalgia’s in every corner, but there’s a fresh coat of today’s paint on all of it. Battles become this wild, visual feast, sharp like an old mixtape — but with updated beats.

So, do you think you’re up for becoming some kind of ninja legend? I wouldn’t bet my lunch on it, since I’ll be sidetracked by the visuals. But hey, wouldn’t it be fun to find out?

Okay, sign-off. I’m out. Until I remember more — or less.

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Hope this chaotic whirl gives you a good swirl back in the day, while keeping it edgy enough for now. Enjoy!