Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound gets a demo on Steam Next Fest

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, the new 2D title from the classic Team Ninja franchise, is already available in a demo version at Steam Next Fest, an event that takes place between June 9 and 16 on the Valve platform. The free demo offers a preview of what players can expect from the full release, scheduled for July 31st, with versions for PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

Developed by The Game Kitchen, known for Blasphemous, and published by Dotemu, responsible for titles like Streets of Rage 4 and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, the game brings back the aesthetics and gameplay style of classic NES games, featuring intense side-scrolling combat, platform precision, and modern progression elements.

The narrative of Ragebound takes place shortly after the events of the original Ninja Gaiden from 1988, with a new protagonist: Kenji Mozu, a young ninja who takes on the lead role instead of Ryu Hayabusa. After the veil between the human and demon realms is broken, Kenji embarks on a mission to prevent the destruction of the world. The story intertwines with that of Kumori, a kunoichi from the Black Spider Clan, historical antagonists of the franchise.

The dynamic between the two characters is central to the game's proposal. According to the developers, "Kenji and Kumori must overcome grudges between their clans and make use of forbidden techniques to merge their powers and survive the battles to come". The forced alliance results in a cooperative narrative combat system, with interdependent skill evolution.

The gameplay offers challenging bosses, platform sequences that require precision, hidden collectible items, unlockable secret missions, and optional challenges — elements that expand the scope of the title and modernize its classic structure. The game also aims to capture the spirit of the 8-bit trilogy, but with technical refinements geared towards the current generation.

This attempt to revitalize Ninja Gaiden with a nostalgic yet functional approach may signal the beginning of a new cycle for the franchise, which had its last original entry in 2012 with Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z — poorly received by critics and audiences. Unlike that project, Ragebound relies on simplicity and the series' legacy to reconquer the fan base.