Kinda Funny Gamescast: Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound Review - Detailed Summary

Released on July 30, 2025

1. Introduction

In this episode of the Kinda Funny Gamescast, hosts Andy Cortez, Tim Geddes, Blessing Adioye Jr., and Dan Reichert delve into an in-depth review of the highly anticipated Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound. The discussion spans gameplay mechanics, visual artistry, difficulty levels, and comparisons to other titles within the genre.

2. Overview of "Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound"

Andy Cortez introduces Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound as a pixel art side-scrolling entry developed by Game Kitchen, the team behind Blasphemous. The game has garnered an impressive 86 score on Metacritic, signaling strong critical acclaim.

"Ninja Gaiden Ragebound redefines the classic platformer saga in a spectacular, thrilling and challenging ninja adventure."
Andy Cortez [12:31]

3. Gameplay Mechanics

Controls and Responsiveness

Tim Geddes praises the game's responsiveness and the variety of tools at the player's disposal, likening the experience to achieving a flow state akin to rhythm games.

"Everything is as responsive as you want it to be. There are an amount of tools in your arsenal that is very impressive and very active."
Tim Geddes [15:28]

Guillotine Boost and Flow State

The Guillotine Boost mechanic stands out as a pivotal feature, allowing players to bounce off enemies and projectiles, enhancing the fluidity of combat.

"Hyperchargers are neat, but the real star of the show is the Guillotine Boost, which lets you bounce on it."
Dan Reichert [17:06]

Blessing Adioye Jr. compares this to the Strider gameplay, emphasizing the seamless integration of dual-character mechanics.

"It's a mix between Ninja Gaiden and Strider... adding the guillotine boost is incredible."
Blessing Adioye Jr. [18:32]

Boss Fights and Challenges

Boss encounters are designed around the color-coded system, requiring players to master timing and rhythm to exploit enemy vulnerabilities.

"Boss fights are all designed around that color system... it's about waiting for the right moments... it's satisfying as hell."
Dan Reichert [26:08]

4. Visuals and Sound

Pixel Art Style

The game boasts vibrant and smooth pixel art, with detailed backgrounds that enhance the nostalgic yet modern feel.

"I'm very impressed by the visuals... the backgrounds are fantastic, the animations are smooth."
Tim Geddes [15:28]

CRT Filter and Scanlines

A standout feature is the CRT filter, which replicates the retro display aesthetics, adding depth and authenticity to the pixel art.

"This has maybe the best CRT filter I've ever seen... the pixel art looks way better with the scan lines here."
Blessing Adioye Jr. [22:47]

Soundtrack and Audio Design

The soundtrack complements the fast-paced action, blending retro tunes with modern soundscapes to elevate the gaming experience.

"The Kick Ass soundtrack."
Andy Cortez [18:31]

5. Difficulty and Progression

Collectibles and Side Missions

The game offers numerous collectibles, such as blue skulls, scarabs, and scrolls, which unlock side missions and additional content.

"There are a lot of secret levels and side objectives... I'm never annoyed at going back to collect missed items."
Blessing Adioye Jr. [19:36]

Talismans and Power-Ups

Players can acquire talismans that provide various benefits, enhancing gameplay but also introducing additional challenges.

"There are some talismans that give health boosts or extra damage... the checkpoint one is huge."
Blessing Adioye Jr. [44:18]

Replayability and Speedrunning Potential

The game's design encourages replayability, with mechanics that lend themselves well to speedrunning and high-score chasing.

"I can already see the future of what speed runs are going to be for this."
Andy Cortez [27:32]

6. Comparisons to Other Games

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound draws parallels to titles like Blasphemous and The Messenger, blending challenging combat with intricate platforming.

"It's kinda mix between Ninja Gaiden and Strider... resembles Ikaruga in terms of color-focused mechanics."
Blessing Adioye Jr. [19:13]

The hosts appreciate how Ragebound maintains classic elements while introducing modern twists, setting it apart from traditional Metroidvanias.

"It's refreshing that it's not a Metroidvania... it's a throwback that's straightforward and doesn't reinvent the wheel."
Blessing Adioye Jr. [24:47]

7. Criticisms and Areas for Improvement

Frustrating Level Sections

Certain segments, particularly those involving precise teleportation mechanics, have been highlighted as sources of frustration due to their lack of forgiveness.

"There are sections that are timed and give just the right amount of time... you have to throw a shuriken just down a hallway and miss by a couple pixels."
Blessing Adioye Jr. [30:37]

Limited Abilities and Progression

The ability system, while innovative, is seen as somewhat limited, with certain upgrades feeling more like difficulty modifiers rather than true enhancements.

"The abilities are outnumbered by those that are making the game harder... it's like hard mode."
Dan Reichert [45:53]

8. Conclusion and Ratings

The hosts collectively commend Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound for its engaging gameplay, stunning visuals, and nostalgic charm, while acknowledging areas that could benefit from refinement.

"This game is fucking awesome. It's an 8 out of 10... there's enough about it that I don't love the way how mechanics feel."
Dan Reichert [37:46]

Tim Geddes plans to provide a full review after completing the game, indicating strong ongoing interest and positive anticipation.

"I'm taking my time with it because this is one that I was like, I'm not going to really rush through it."
Tim Geddes [15:28]

9. Future Outlook

Looking ahead, the hosts express excitement for similar titles like Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, anticipating it to potentially rival or surpass Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound in critical reception.

"I can't believe we're getting a Shinobi the same year... Hell yeah."
Dan Reichert [50:55]

With the success of Ragebound, expectations are high for upcoming titles to deliver comparable or improved experiences within the genre.

Notable Quotes:

• "Hyperchargers are neat, but the real star of the show is the Guillotine Boost, which lets you bounce on it."
  Dan Reichert [17:06]

• "This has maybe the best CRT filter I've ever seen... the pixel art looks way better with the scan lines here."
  Blessing Adioye Jr. [22:47]

• "Boss fights are all designed around that color system... it's about waiting for the right moments... it's satisfying as hell."
  Dan Reichert [26:08]

Final Thoughts:

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound emerges as a standout title that successfully marries retro aesthetics with modern gameplay innovations. Despite minor frustrations in certain level designs and progression mechanics, the overall consensus among the Kinda Funny hosts is overwhelmingly positive, positioning the game as a must-play for enthusiasts of the action-platformer genre.