Action game with a female ninja in medieval Japan, related to Koei's Nightshade. Fast combat and ninja costumes are enjoyable. A decent niche title for Japanese action fans seeking a female ninja protagonist, accessible and entertaining without being memorable.
Your verdict
Category
Action1 player16+
Description
A Sega and Overworks spin-off released in 2003 (Japan, Asia, Korea), derived from PS2 Shinobi. Players take on Hibana, a young kunoichi pupil of Hotsuma, in a brisk and stylized beat'em up set against modern Tokyo. Sword and shuriken combat, the signature Shinobi combo mechanics: a fast and colorful title.
The Asian edition of Kunoichi, a Sega and Overworks spin-off of the PS2 Shinobi, in which you play the young kunoichi Hibana in a brisk beat'em up against a modern Tokyo backdrop. The Asian run of this offshoot of a stylish action series stays less widespread than the Japanese editions. Desirability blends the link with the PS2 Shinobi and the scarcity of this regional pressing.
Is Kunoichi still worth playing in 2026?
A ninja action game from Overworks, Kunoichi, alias Nightshade, extends the Shinobi spirit with a young kunoichi who chains enemies in snappy combat built on a tate system rewarding fast elimination chains. The fluidity of the movements, the stylised ninja aesthetic and the frantic pace appeal to fans of acrobatic action. The fickle camera and a high difficulty weigh a little. A good action game for fans of ninjas, spectacular combos and the Shinobi universe on PS2.
