PlayStation Vita Critic Reviews

Shinobido for PS Vita is like a mixture of Hitman and Metal Gear Solid for Asia fans, who really love dialogue, character development and a thin but broad storyline about a war in a foreign country. But they will have to live with some AI bugs, repetetive level layout, poor controls and a lack of use of PS Vita features. Acquire could have done better.

The controls suit the system, with a surprisingly smart option to touch on-screen icons to turn the camera toward potential threats. The stealth play and covert killing is fast and satisfying but when blades clash, things can get awkward. You're eventually given a reversal move can quickly end fights with weaker enemies, but there's no running away from certain fated confrontations, which are almost always prolonged and clumsy.

A fun stealth game with tons of depth, innovative use of Vita tech, and some very interesting systems.

Nice gameplay, clean graphics and a beautiful soundtrack make Shinobido 2 a little surprise for Vita's early adopter.

If you're the type of gamer who only plays games with gigantic hype and multimillion-dollar budgets, Revenge of Zen might not be your thing, but those who do get into this title are in for a worthwhile experience.

It's only shortcomings are its dated design, repetitive nature and visuals that could pass for a re-mastered PS2 game, but if you're looking for a hardcore experience with solid shinobi substance, this ranks as a viable christening for your shiny new Vita.

Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen is actually the only game for PlayStation Vita that delivers a stealth action based gameplay, but it also suffers from several problems: cumbersome controls, repetitive missions and poor combat.

Doesn't do much in terms of story, little of what you learn or obtain in terms of skills and tools seems necessary, and the combat is seriously flawed. But beneath that beats the heart of a competent stealth adventure, which is difficult to find these days.

Shinobido 2 is, at the end, a good stelth game. Playing it, however, gives you the sensation that the dev team could reach far better distances in terms of game design.

As a stealth game, Shinobido 2 is successful and rewarding. I could even confidently recommend it to Metal Gear fans looking to scratch a sneaky itch in the beginning of the Vita's life cycle. Outside of sneaking up behind people to perform kills however, the game feels unpolished and not entirely thought-out.