Even with the difficulty spike, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is a remarkable 2D action game. For $30, it provides substance and fun, and Lizardcube escalates difficulty just enough to make finishing a level satisfying. If you're rebooting a 2D action franchise to appeal to fans of its older games, Art of Vengeance is a perfect example of how to do it.

Art of Vengeance, a 2D action platformer developed by SEGA. Players will dive right back into the fray with high-octane ninja action as the legendary Shinobi Joe Musashi. After Joe Musashi's village is turned to ash and his clan is transformed to stone,