Compare Saros vs Shinobi: Art of Vengeance

Reviewers praised Saros for broad accessibility and difficulty-tuning options, including modifiers, visual recoloring, remapping, and ways to soften or intensify challenge.

Accessibility options are praised for adjustable difficulty, assist settings, and sliders that make the challenge more approachable without fully flattening it.

Aiming was generally considered forgiving and readable thanks to auto-aim and tracking, though some no-auto-aim weapons were harder to master.

Animation comments were mostly negative, focused on stiff dialogue animation and odd or weak face animation outside stronger cinematic moments.

Animation quality is a standout, especially Joe’s motion, hand-drawn character work, and the way combat and traversal read in motion.

Art direction was a clear strength, with reviewers highlighting Carcosa’s strong, alien visual identity and memorable environmental design.

The hand-drawn art direction receives near-universal praise for its style, cohesion, painterly look, and strong franchise fit.

Reviewers repeatedly praised the unnerving, dread-soaked atmosphere, even when they disagreed about the story itself.

Atmosphere is supported by presentation touches such as camera framing and mood-setting scenes that help the 2D spaces feel more dramatic.

Bosses were widely admired for spectacle, challenge, and memorability, though a few reviewers found some fights long or uneven.

Boss design earns many positive notes for memorable, exciting encounters, though a few reviewers find some bosses too easy, clunky, or mechanically weaker than regular fights.

Bug frequency is a concern in one review that reports a severe save-wipe issue, even though other technical impressions were cleaner.

Camera controls were specifically praised as quick enough for combat without becoming disorienting.

Camera behavior is praised in one review for intelligently changing framing to support mood, traversal, and visual depth.

Arjun’s arc drew praise where reviewers felt his development became darker, more complex, and captivating.

Character development is limited overall, with one reviewer liking a supporting character but another calling broader character depth minimal.

The cast received mixed reactions, with some reviews praising performances while others wanted more depth beyond Arjun.

Saros’ checkpoint-like structure and biome restart options were praised for reducing repetition and respecting time.

The checkpoint system is praised as a quality-of-life improvement because it reduces frustration around difficult optional challenges.

Combat was the strongest consensus point, described as thrilling, precise, tactile, and among Housemarque’s best work.

Combat is the most consistently praised attribute, with reviewers calling it fluid, deep, expressive, satisfying, and central to the game’s appeal.

Several reviews found the game rich in sections, weapons, collectibles, and sights, though the content variety was usually discussed through exploration and spectacle.

Content variety is strong across stage themes, optional challenges, enemy encounters, bonus levels, and replay modes, though some side segments are less loved.

Controls were heavily praised for responsiveness, tactile feel, and precise movement/shooting, with only rare complaints about input conflicts.

Controls are usually described as smooth, tight, intuitive, and responsive, with a few caveats around moments where scripted control loss or platforming inputs feel awkward.

The core loop was usually seen as compelling and satisfying, though Polygon felt progression systems weakened the roguelike loop.

The core loop is widely liked as fast, stylish 2D action with strong combat and traversal, with a few reviewers calling it great despite structural complaints.

Crash stability is strong in the PS5 review that reports no crashes, soft-locks, or freezes over a long playthrough.

Dialogue quality was mixed to weak, with several reviewers noting stilted conversations, unnatural backlog delivery, or long quiet stretches.

Dialogue quality is uneven: one review criticizes a dull character, and another finds paused dialogue barks jarring despite fun narrative moments.

Difficulty balance split reviewers: many called it tough but fair and customizable, while some felt ganks, repetition, or modifiers could undermine balance.

Difficulty is generally viewed as fair and satisfying, but opinions split on spikes, projectile-heavy sections, undertuned enemies, and some hard optional challenges.

Resource balance drew limited but mixed evidence, with one review noting balance concerns and another criticizing excess currency gains.

Emotional impact was mixed, with some reviewers admiring ideas but others saying the narrative and characters did not fully move them.

Emotional impact is limited in the review evidence, with one reviewer wishing for a stronger moment of emotional weight.

Endgame content was a limited concern, with one reviewer specifically wishing for a dedicated post-game activity.

Endgame content is generally seen as useful for replay through Arcade Mode, Boss Rush, superbosses, and ranking challenges, though one reviewer sees arcade mode as padding.

Enemy variety was praised for diverse, escalating, and biome-changing threats that keep combat fresh.

Enemy variety is a strength, with reviewers praising the range of ninjas, soldiers, monsters, bosses, and specialized foes that shape encounters.

Environmental detail was a frequent highlight, with reviewers praising Carcosa’s biomes, architecture, and alien spaces.

Environmental detail stands out in reviews that praise painterly backgrounds, large-scale set pieces, and richly detailed level backdrops.

Exploration was praised for hidden paths, secrets, and optional areas that reward revisiting biomes.

Exploration is divisive: many enjoy secrets, replayable routes, and rewards, while others find backtracking or Metroidvania-lite detours less compelling.

Facial animations were a repeated weakness, especially outside cutscenes where faces could not match the vocal performances.

Reviewers generally felt Saros honors Housemarque and Returnal’s lineage while refining or expanding the studio’s formula.

Reviewers broadly describe the revival as faithful to Shinobi’s legacy while modernizing it with new structure, combat depth, and visual presentation.

Fast travel and biome teleporting were widely praised as major quality-of-life improvements that reduce tedium.

Fast travel is repeatedly praised for making revisits, secret hunting, and post-completion cleanup smoother rather than tedious.

Flying mechanics are mildly criticized in the glider’s case, with the reviewer saying it slows down otherwise snappy traversal.

Frame rate was generally strong, with most reviewers reporting near-locked or rock-solid 60fps and only occasional dips.

Frame rate stability is mixed, especially on Switch, where reviewers note dips or painful frame-rate issues despite otherwise strong presentation.

Fun factor was very high, with reviewers repeatedly describing the act of playing, replaying, and mastering Saros as joyful or addictive.

Fun factor is high, with many reviewers calling the combat, challenge rooms, and overall ninja fantasy enjoyable or easy to recommend.

Gameplay mechanics, especially the shield, parry, eclipse, and modifier systems, were praised, though one review felt the systems could overprotect players.

Gameplay mechanics are praised for depth and power fantasy, though one reviewer argues an execution mechanic lacks meaningful challenge pressure.

Graphics quality was praised across reviews for visual flair, PS5 showcase value, and striking Unreal Engine 5 presentation.

Graphics quality is a major strength, with reviewers repeatedly calling the game gorgeous, beautiful, and visually impressive.

Grind and repetition drew mixed-to-negative comments, especially around repeated boss attempts and artifact droughts.

Handheld or remote play suitability had limited evidence, but one reviewer said it looked and played beautifully on PlayStation Portal.

DualSense haptics and adaptive triggers were a standout, repeatedly praised as tactile, innovative, and deeply integrated.

Horror tension was supported through praise for dread, anxiety, cosmic horror, and the unsettling eclipse-driven world.

HUD/readability comments were positive but limited, emphasizing that the intense spectacle remained coherent and not visually confusing.

HUD clarity receives a mixed score because flashy combat effects can make the player lose track of the action.

Immersion was praised through tactile feedback, 3D audio, and audiovisual design that pulled reviewers into Carcosa.

Immersion is supported by strong presentation and visual depth, though one reviewer says the game remained enjoyable without strongly resonating.

Innovation centered on the shield, bullet-as-resource design, haptic implementation, and a more flexible challenge structure.

Innovation is praised where reviewers say the game evolves Shinobi meaningfully instead of merely repeating the past.

The learning curve was approachable for some but still initially demanding, with trial-and-error teaching and a tough early adjustment.

The learning curve is favorable because reviewers describe the combat as simple to engage with while still rewarding mastery.

Level design was strongly praised for handcrafted chunks, biome structure, combat spaces, and a balance between freshness and mastery.

Level design is usually praised for scale, variety, secrets, and challenge structure, but some reviewers criticize flow, pacing, or underused combat spaces.

Load times had limited but strong evidence, with Digital Foundry praising nearly instant transitions.

Load times receive a positive note from one Switch reviewer who says they did not take too long.

Loot drew mixed feedback: some liked risky artifacts and weapon discovery, while others disliked artifact droughts or limited replacement control.

Lore depth was praised where reviewers enjoyed logs, mysteries, and hidden material that encouraged deeper digging.

Lore depth gets mild praise where the reviewer appreciates Shinobi’s blend of cultural mythological elements.

Navigation drew criticism from one reviewer who found objective direction poor despite liking the map.

Map and navigation design is mixed: reviewers like map clarity and fast travel, but some cite confusing secret tracking or unclear pits.

Menu usability had limited negative evidence, focused on hidden information and unclear equipment-screen navigation.

Menu usability is praised through the clean, easy-to-navigate interface that removes friction around fast travel and play.

Optional challenge-space design was praised as brutal but rewarding.

Mission design is praised through comments about well-crafted stages that mix platforming, combat, puzzles, and optional routes.

Mission variety is supported by praise for fresh objectives and distinct environments across the stages.

Movement feel was praised as smooth, nimble, precise, and joyful across several reviews.

Movement feel is heavily praised as fast, fluid, snappy, and fun, though one Switch review notes combat can feel slower than traversal.

Narrative quality was the most mixed major attribute, ranging from gripping and coherent to underdeveloped, opaque, or overambitious.

Narrative quality is the most mixed creative element: some call it one of the franchise’s better stories, while many describe it as simple, thin, or tonally inconsistent.

Onboarding was mixed: some reviewers said mechanics ramped up well, while one felt the many systems were poorly communicated.

Onboarding is praised for easing the player into each move rather than overwhelming them with the full combat kit at once.

Originality was mixed, with praise for bold changes and criticism that Saros repeats Returnal-like beats with minimal variation.

Originality is praised where reviewers call the revival fresh for the series rather than a simple nostalgic retread.

Pacing drew mixed responses, from tighter run pacing to complaints that story, repetition, or traversal could drag.

Pacing is mixed: several reviewers like the length and steady tool rollout, while others say long stages, revisit loops, or samey rhythm weaken momentum.

Performance optimization was praised overall, especially on PS5/PS5 Pro, with only minor dips or loading-related hitches noted.

Performance optimization varies by platform and context, with PS5 impressions strong but Switch-oriented reviews noting optimization and frame-pacing caveats.

Platform-specific support was praised through PS5 showcase features, Pro upscaling, DualSense use, and 3D audio.

Platforming precision had limited but positive evidence around precise jumping, dodging, and reduced geometry snagging.

Platforming is often praised as tight, precise, and rewarding, though several reviewers flag optional challenge rooms or late-game traversal as frustrating or inconsistent.

Polish was praised frequently, with reviewers calling Saros smooth, refined, and consistently excellent.

Polish is praised where reviewers highlight the game as well put together and visually refined.

Progression was usually praised for meaningful permanent upgrades, though one reviewer felt it overemphasized numbers over skill.

Progression is praised for steadily adding moves, abilities, upgrades, and customization that keep combat and traversal evolving.

Protagonist appeal was mixed: several reviewers found Arjun compelling or well-acted, while one found him unpleasant by design.

Protagonist appeal is positive where Joe Musashi is described as a compelling, badass ninja fantasy rather than a talkative character.

Puzzle design receives a mild positive note for being logical and not slowing the action down.

Replay value was strong, with reviewers saying they wanted to dive back in or keep running even after credits.

Replay value is strong for completionists thanks to collectibles, secrets, stage revisits, Arcade Mode, Boss Rush, ranks, and unlockables, though not every reviewer loves revisiting.

Save/run continuation quality was praised via suspend, leave-and-return, and day-one roguelite quality-of-life comments.

Save reliability is split: one review praises frequent saves, while another reports the serious problem of a save being wiped twice.

Side character depth was a common weakness, with reviewers describing the supporting cast as shallow, disposable, or stock.

Side character depth is weak in the evidence focused on Ankou, whom one reviewer calls dull despite liking the broader visual design.

Skill-tree depth was mixed, from exhaustive and satisfying to more of a limited trunk than a deep build system.

Sound design and 3D audio were praised for intensity, dread, positional clarity, and haunting effects.

Sound design is mixed: impact feedback and combat audio are praised, but one reviewer strongly disliked the harsh radio or speaker filter.

The soundtrack was praised for oppressive, unnerving, and complex music that supports Carcosa’s tone.

The soundtrack is mostly praised as energetic, fitting, and memorable, though one review finds it weaker than the visuals and Genesis-era expectations.

Tutorial quality had limited but positive evidence, with reviewers noting trial-and-error teaching and encounter design that prepares players for bosses.

Tutorial quality is positive where one reviewer says the early tutorials made combat options easy to understand and apply.

The upgrade system was praised for making attempts feel worthwhile and improving approachability.

The upgrade system is praised for meaningful amulets, combat additions, and flexible build choices that alter playstyle.

User interface design had limited mixed evidence, with one reviewer finding it good enough but imperfect.

User interface design receives praise for being clean and easy to navigate.

Value for money had limited but explicit support from one reviewer who said they would pay full price.

Value for money is positive overall, especially for combat-focused or completionist players, though one review frames value as more moderate for players skipping side content.

Visual effects were a major highlight, especially the particle-heavy combat fireworks and colorful VFX.

Visual effects are praised for stylish Ninjutsu, cinematic flourishes, audiovisual impact, and bold combat feedback.

Voice acting was widely praised, especially Rahul Kohli’s performance, with the broader cast also receiving positive notes.

Voice acting receives mixed-to-positive reactions: some reviews praise the performances, while others call the English voices merely fine or jarring.

Weapon balance was mostly positive for variety and viability, though some weapons or no-autohit variants frustrated reviewers.

World-building was praised through Carcosa’s mysteries, logs, lore, and thematic environmental storytelling.

World-building is weak in the evidence that explicitly says not to expect captivating world building from the campy action story.

World interactivity had limited evidence, mostly around movement-reactive effects and environmental destruction.

Writing quality was mixed, with praise for logs and media-literate storytelling but criticism of hollow or unclear themes.

Writing quality is mixed-to-weak, with reviewers describing the script as fine, tropey, or not especially nuanced.