It wouldn't have taken much to sell me on DLC for Shinobi: Art of Vengeance. In a year already packed with great games, Shinobi's return in 2025 was a surprising highlight, and one I was desperate to jump back into even after tearing my hair out at the brutal Ankou Rifts the first time around.
Shinobi's fairly linear structure made it perfect for any kind of expansion, but I was personally hoping for a more traditional DLC with big new levels, fresh moves, and an even bigger challenge than the already tough base game. Things got a lot weirder when it was confirmed that the seemingly only expansion would be centered around Sega villains, including Yakuza's Goro Majima, Sonic's Dr. Eggman and a villain selection with Golden Axe's Death Adder, but I was willing to try anything for more Shinobi.
Still, I was a bit mixed on what seemed like just a Sega-themed Boss rush, as good as Art of Vengeance's boss battles were, especially if this was all we got for Shinobi's post-launch. I'm happy to say that's not the case, as the Sega Villains DLC is more than just some crossover fights, which are admittedly great in their own right.
Shinobi's Sega Villains DLC has some great stages, with one notable miss
Shinobi's Sega Villains DLC appears to act as something of an epilogue to the base game, seeing Joe Mushashi pulled out of his peaceful life once again to deal with interdimensional portals spewing out familiar faces. Although the big battles against the Sega villains are the main draw, some normal levels are sprinkled in along with them.
Five new stages are included in the expansion, and two of them (one based on Yakuza and the other on Golden Ax) have nothing to do with boss battles and just give you more of the amazing platforming and expressive combat that Art of Vengeance is known for. As someone who just wanted more Shinobi, these “regular” stages were the highlight of the DLC, especially since they're damn challenging and force you to use every tool and ability in your arsenal.
It took me a while to shake off the rust, but I felt good when I remembered the dropkick combo and execution, which is as overpowered as ever.
Each of these levels feels like a love letter to their respective series, with plenty of nods to the games they're based on, like the Cabaret club and signs from Kamurocho appearing in the background of Majima's stage. I'm not well-versed enough in Golden Ax to get the deep cut easter eggs, and frankly would have preferred any other Sega series to have made an appearance, but Lizardcube gave it an interesting dark and brooding vibe that makes it stand out from the rest of Art of Vengeance's colorful levels.
You may have noticed that I haven't talked about the Sonic the Hedgehog scene yet, and that's because, despite being the biggest and most interesting crossover of the bunch, it's the only one that doesn't have a companion. The fight against Eggman serves as the finale to the entire DLC and, as grand as it is, it's the one big slam against Sega Villains that Green Hill Zone (and a surprise second stage) are basically just wonderful window dressing.
Majima, Eggman and Death Adder are Art Of Vengeance's toughest bosses yet
Once you beat the initial exploration stage, Shinobi throws you to the wolves with what are easily the game's hardest boss battles. All three Sega villains pack a huge punch, with Majima and Death Adder both having near-impossible ranged moves, close-up attacks that can cut your health in half, and ultimate moves that took me out more times than I care to admit.
Beating these bosses also gives you a new Ninpo based on their movements. They're not as powerful as the GOAT bomb and shuriken, but they're a fun reward along with the new costumes.
These fights are not for the faint of heart and feel like a huge test of everything you've learned from the Art of Vengeance. As tough as they are, it's also a joy to see all their signature moves translated into a Shinobi boss fight, like Majima's clones as his ultimate and Death Adder's massive golden ax and magic.
Eggman may have been a disappointment if you wanted to explore Sonic's world, but his two-part boss fight is both the standout (and hardest) of the three. It took me a good four tries to get through it by the skin of my teeth, and while I definitely would have liked a dedicated stage next to it, it's hard to deny how cool it is to see Eggman, of all characters, give me Art of Vengeance's best boss fight.
I'm not sure if this is really the end of Art of Vengeance or if Sega and Lizardcube have more plans for Shinobi after the Sega Villains DLC, but the final moments really made it feel like a send off. About Sega Villains really is one last hurray for the game, then it goes out with a big, if somewhat uneven, bang worthy of one of my favorite games in recent memory.
Pearl Abyss is updating Crimson Desert faster than I can play it
Patches for Crimson Desert have been coming thick and fast for release.
