Loadouts, Upgrades, and Combat Variety
The new trailer breaks down several key systems in NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound, starting with how loadouts work. The footage shows both ninjas, Kenji and Kumori, equipping Talismans and Secret Arts before entering a new level. Talismans are passive upgrades, and each one supports a different approach. Some lean toward defense, while others help with more aggressive playstyles.
Secret Arts function as active abilities and include things like screen-clearing attacks or tools that freeze time. The gameplay also highlights Spider Weapons, which are ranged options. The Chakram, for example, pierces through enemies and comes back after hitting them. Each Spider Weapon has unique properties, so the team recommends finding the ones that suit how you want to play.
The trailer also explains that some Talismans can remove checkpoints from a level. Choosing one makes things harder, but you’ll get a better score if you make it through. Score matters because it affects which items become available in the shop afterward. Higher scores unlock more tools, including new Spider Weapons and Secret Arts.
New Level and Boss Fight: Rhyvashi’s Construction Gauntlet
The gameplay trailer showcases a full level from Act 3, set in a high-rise construction site near Kamakura. According to Level Designer Miguel Murat, this stage shares a timeline with the castle area from the Steam Next Fest demo. It’s filled with forklifts, cranes, saws, and demon threats that come in waves.
As Kenji and Kumori move upward through the level, they’re stalked by Rhyvashi, a returning threat introduced earlier in the game. Her attacks cover large areas of the screen, forcing you to hide behind walls and obstacles to avoid getting hit. At one point, the chase leads to a bulldozer sequence. The developers describe it as one of several surprise moments meant to shake up the pace of the action.
The fight with Rhyvashi wraps up underground, inside a temple unearthed by the construction work. She uses lightning strikes, floating rods, and a pink aura that signals a chance to stagger her with a ranged hit. If timed right, that stagger opens a window to deal heavy damage. According to the team, every boss has a similar mechanic, with different patterns tied to each one.
Some challenges during the level include no-hit conditions during boss fights and movement-based objectives. Failing a challenge triggers a small pop-up during gameplay, and each one affects your final score.
NINJA GAIDEN Ragebound Is Almost Here
NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound drops July 31 for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox. If you’ve been following the game since its announcement at The Game Awards, or caught our breakdown of the announcement of Kumori’s playable debut, this new trailer shows how much more there is to dig into.
I’ll have a full review of NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound closer to launch, so keep an eye out for that in the coming weeks. You can watch the full gameplay breakdown with developer commentary below.
Hyped for Ragebound or still on the fence? Drop your take in the comments.
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