Lizardcube

Learn How Lizardcube Pitched SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance to SEGA With Behind the Studio: Vol 2

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SEGA has uploaded another Behind the Studio video for SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance where Lizardcube shares insights on the development process of the upcoming action platformer title. In this video, Lizardcube also share details on how the team pitched the new Shinobi game to SEGA with new elements while maintaining original aspects of past titles and inspirations used for the art style.

SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance is available now for pre-order on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Steam for $29.99 USD. It will be available for pre-order on Nintendo eShop at a later date. Fans who pre-order the game will receive a 10% discount, the Original Arcade Outfit, and Fortune Hunter Amulet. Physical editions of the game, including a special Collector’s Edition, will be available for pre-order from Limited Run Games starting May 30, 2025.

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Sega looking at Shinobi: Art of Vengeance as a chance to fully revive the Shinobi franchise

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Here’s a declaration of confidence in a new game that you don’t hear often from Sega or their partners. Sega and Lizardcube are working right now on Shinobi: Art of Vengeance with the aim for this to be the smoking gun that brings Shinobi back as a top IP at Sega. We think they got a fighting chance so far.

That sentiment was shared by Game Informer (A publication that can relate to dying and then rising from the ashes) as they wrote an article about the hard work being done to not only make a great game out of Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, but for it to be so great that it can potentially bring Shinobi as a whole back to its long lost status as a franchise on the level of Sega’s best, like Sonic the Hedgehog. Certainly no easy task, in fact Sega have tried it 14 years ago with Shinobi (3DS), only for the momentum from that game to have quickly fizzled out despite people generally liking that game well enough. If that game couldn’t pull it off, how could Art of Vengeance do it? Sega’s content production department director Kagasei Shimomura and Lizardcube CEO and creative director Ben Fiquet feel they’ve cracked the code.

Wanna hear what got them fired up to get Shinobi back in style? Slip on in past the break and find out for yourself.

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Take a Behind the Scenes look at SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance from Lizardcube!

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SEGA has uploaded the first behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance featuring the creative minds at Lizardcube, makers of Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap and Streets of Rage 4, as they discuss their unique approach to bringing the story and art to life in this new entry of the series.

SHINOBI: Art of Vegeance will be available on PlayStation 4 | 5, Xbox Series X|S/One, Nintendo Switch & Steam on August 29. Pre-order your copy here!

Let us know your thoughts and excitement on Shinobi: Art of Vengeance so far in our comment section below!

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New artwork for upcoming Shinobi game revealed in SEGA Sammy report

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While we can only speculate that developer Lizardcube (Streets of Rage 4 and The Dragon’s Trap remake) is behind the upcoming 2D Shinobi game, new key art utilized in a SEGA Sammy Holdings Inc. report screams Lizardcube aesthetics. Little else is revealed, aside from the player taking up the Oborozuki sword to slay evil. It also appears that the game will stick with the title Shinobi, unless they tack on some more words or some numbers. Personally, I think it has been long enough since the last Shinobi game to use the same title again. The artwork also looks great, and we can’t wait to learn more about the upcoming title!

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Streets of Rage 4 DLC “Mr. X Nightmare” finally make Shiva playable

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Ever since I was a mere child and laid my eyes on the badass ninja guard for Mr. X, Shiva, I wanted him to be a playable character. Now, the wait is over, Streets of Rage 4’s first DLC pack “Mr. X Nightmare” has confirmed he will be the third playable character.

As we know the other two playable characters announced were Max Thunder and Estel Aguirre. Sadly we don’t have a release date for the DLC, but we do know its coming out sometime this year.

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Streets of Rage 4 artists release Garou: Mark of the Wolves 2 concept art video, now I want this to be real…

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Garou: Mark of the Wolves is one of my favorite fighting games along with its cousin Street Fighter 3rd Strike, both games had a very unique style and as you also know Lizardcube’s games’ Streets of Rage 4 and Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap also have a unique art style. So, Lizardcube artist’s Ben Fiquet and Julian Nguyen-You released a 20 plus minute video showing how they create these retro gaming concept art pitches, this time with Garou: Mark of the Wolves 2.

Its interesting because they really got the game to resemble the original game in tone of colors but the art style that has now become signature Lizardcube is still there. I think they did a good job of having a great blend and personally would be stoked if Lizardcube made Garou: Mark of Wolves 2. Hey, SNK, you watching this?

Yeah, but Lizardcube is probably too busy with a new Shinobi, right?

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Streets of Rage 4 releasing on April 30th for all platforms, Battle Mode revealed

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Publisher Dotemu has finally revealed when Streets of Rage 4 will release. You can take to the streets and beat up thugs this upcoming April 30th, and it will launch for all four platforms. In addition, Battle Mode has been announced. In Battle Mode, you pick from a selection of different characters and beat the tar out of your opponents, with up to 4 players being able to participate in the brawl.

Also advertised is pre-orders for the physical copies of the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch versions of the game, by Limited Run Games. These physical copies come with a steelbook, a reversible cover, and a custom clamshell case mimicking the design of a SEGA Genesis case.

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Streets of Rage 4 reveals Retro features – classic playable characters and music!

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While news of a late April release date have been floating around for the upcoming Streets of Rage 4, the developer has said they cannot confirm this date. However what they can confirm is an amazing addition to the game: Retro stuff! Streets of Rage 4 will feature unlockable playable pixel art characters from the previous games in the franchise, complete with their sound effects, movesets and special moves. Combined with the game’s current roster, this brings the game up to 17 playable characters.

But wait, there’s more! The game will also include the soundtracks to Streets of Rage and Streets of Rage 2, which players can switch to and listen to as they brawl in the streets. These new elements are an awesome inclusion, and really elevates the game in my mind.

Streets of Rage 4 will be available soon for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and PC.

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Streets of Rage 4 physical edition pre-orders live, soundtrack composer revealed

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Streets of Rage 4 physical editions for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch are now up for pre-order at Limited Run Games. Dotemu, Lizardcube and Guard Crush Games have also revealed the main composer for the game. Olivier Derivière, who worked on soundtracks for A Plague Tale: Innocence, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Dying Light 2 and more. The soundtrack will also feature several guest musicians, with new contributions from Scattle (Hotline Miami 1 & 2), Das Mörtal (Hotline Miami 2), XL Middleton, and Groundislava. These join the already announced guest artist Yuzo Koshiro, however a bit of bad news as Hideki Naganuma has been announced to no longer be able to contribute to the soundtrack due to scheduling issues.

Still, the game looks and sounds great and we can’t wait to get our hands on a physical copy!

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Limited Run Games announces Streets of Rage 4 Standard, Classic and Limited Editions

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Limited Run Games have officially announced on their Twitter account that the upcoming Streets of Rage 4 will have multiple physical editions coming our way! Starting this Friday, March 20th, at 10am ET fans will be able to pre-order Standard or Classic Editions of the game for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. Important to note: this is an EXTENDED PRE-ORDER WINDOW. The window is open from this coming Friday through to a week after the digital release. This means that fans will not be fighting over a limited run of stock, instead the run will be limited to what is being ordered. The Standard Edition will feature reversible cover art that gives the game a SEGA Genesis look. The Classic Edition will include the standard case, with reversible cover art, a SteelBook case (sized to PS4 or Switch, depending on your platform) as well as a custom clam shell Genesis case that fits your SteelBook and standard game case.

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Streets of Rage 4 introduces Floyd Iraia and will feature Online & Local Co-op

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DotEmu has released the new character trailer for Streets of Rage 4 by introducing Floyd Iraia, who is the last playable character to be announced for the game and dishes out hard hitting attacks and grappling movesets with his mechanical arms. Here’s is a description of the new character:

“Meet Floyd Iraia, the last Streets of Rage 4 playable character, who dishes out serious damage with his incredibly strong cybernetic arms. Although Floyd’s movement and health recovery are slower than most, he boasts the longest reach among the playable roster and tremendous power, ensuring any combo he puts an enemy through will be devastating.”

Streets of Rage 4 will also feature two co-op mulitplayer options: 2 Player Online and 4 Player Local Co-Op. 4 Player Local Co-Op would be featured for first time in the series.

Streets of Rage 4 will be making its way make its way on to PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in Spring 2020.

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Streets of Rage 4 “Adam Hunter” trailer showcased, tentative first-half 2020 release date announced

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New information regarding to the upcoming Streets of Rage 4 have been revealed, courtesy of Nintendo’s Indie World direct. Most notably, a new trailer highlighting the fourth playable character, Adam Hunter. As the name implies, he’s the brother of Skate from Streets of Rage 2 and the father of Cherry. He’s described as a person who hunted down the syndicate leader 28 years ago, now coming back to finish the job alongside Cherry, Axel, and Blaze.

It’s also confirmed that Streets of Rage 4 is planned for an first-half 2020 release window for all platforms. Nothing specific has been announced at this time, but we’ll keep you up to date on the latest Streets of Rage 4 news.

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Streets of Rage 4 soundtrack composers revealed, featuring all-star talent

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Today it was announced that gaming music label Brave Wave Productions have teamed with DotEmu and Lizardcube to create the soundtrack for the upcoming Streets of Rage 4. This means the strong talent already working with Brave Wave are assembled and are working on the new music! Who is involved? Series stalwart Yuzo Koshiro, Motohiro Kawashima (Streets of Rage 2, Streets of Rage 3), Yoko Shimomura (Street Fighter 2), Keiji Yamagishi (Ninja Gaiden) and our friend Hideki_Naganuma (Jet Set Radio, Sonic Rush). This undoubtably means we will see some sort of soundtrack release from Brave Wave.

After the break, check out a preview video featuring Yuzo Koshiro.

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