Software:Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen

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Short description: 2011 video game


Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen
North American version cover art
Developer(s)Acquire
Publisher(s)
Director(s)Yasuhiro Abe
Programmer(s)Tomonori Imura
Writer(s)Tadashi Satomi
Composer(s)Toshiko Tasaki
Platform(s)PlayStation Vita
Release
  • JP: December 17, 2011
  • NA: February 21, 2012
  • EU: February 22, 2012
  • AU: February 23, 2012
Genre(s)Stealth
Mode(s)Single-player

Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen, known in Japan as Shinobidō 2: Sange (忍道2 散華), is a stealth video game developed by Acquire and published by Spike for the PlayStation Vita. Namco Bandai Games released the game outside Japan. It is a sequel to Software:Shinobido: Way of the Ninja. A downloadable content pack, Mirror Spirits, was released on May 9, 2012.[1] The game, along with its DLC, was removed from the PSN Store in 2016, most likely due to the license expiring from Bandai Namco in North America and the PAL region.

Gameplay

Players take the role of one of the two main characters, Zen and Kaede. The main town features various menus. Some allow players to equip ninja tools such as caltrops, mines, shurikens, potions, smoke bombs, etc., while others let them accept missions from the three primary daimyou. As they progress through the story, players have the choice of which daimyou they want to help, and they are encouraged to only help that daimyou, encouraging three separate playthroughs. The daimyou issue various missions such as assassinating a certain target, protecting a shipping crate with supplies, freeing captive peasants, or stealing resources. Once a mission is selected, players are dropped into a map filled with enemies and treasures to collect. They must utilize stealth and a variety of skills such as a grapple hook, silent assassinations, counter attacks, etc., in order to complete their objective. Once they level up, they can put attribute points into max health, attack, defense, an extended special attack meter that allows for the Zankoku attack (a teleporting silent kill), and a longer grapple hook. Along the way, players will encounter various bosses, such as enemy ninja clan leaders, and eventually the other daimyou themselves. Players can utilize items to weaken their foes or try to lure them into a silent kill, allowing for a wide variety of play-styles.

Plot

Set six months after the events of the previous game, Shinobido 2 sees the once peaceful region of Utakata in the grip of a vicious civil war. Players step into the shoes of Zen, betrayed by his companions and left fatally wounded. San, the love of his life, was killed by his two childhood friends, Shu and Nagi.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic55/100[2]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Destructoid6/10[3]
Eurogamer7/10[4]
Famitsu31/40[5]
Game Informer6.25/10[6]
GameRevolutionStarStarStarHalf star[7]
GameSpot3.5/10[8]
GameTrailers7.3/10[9]
GameZone3.5/10[10]
IGN4.5/10[11]
PSM5/10[12]

The game received "mixed" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[2] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of three eights and one seven for a total of 31 out of 40.[5]

PlayStation LifeStyle's overall positive review noted its cult appeal as the reviewer had plenty of praise, calling it "a fun stealth game with tons of depth."[13]

References

  1. ↑ Sayed, Rashid. "Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen Gets A New DLC: Mirror Spirits" (in en-US). https://gamingbolt.com/shinobido-2-revenge-of-zen-gets-a-new-dlc-mirror-spirits. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen for PlayStation Vita Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/shinobido-2-revenge-of-zen/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-vita. Retrieved March 22, 2017. 
  3. ↑ Sterling, Jim (February 20, 2012). "Review: Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen". Enthusiast Gaming. https://www.destructoid.com/review-shinobido-2-revenge-of-zen-222209.phtml. Retrieved June 9, 2018. 
  4. ↑ Edwards, Matt (March 9, 2012). "Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen Review". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-03-08-shinobido-2-revenge-of-zen-review. Retrieved June 9, 2018. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Romano, Sal (December 20, 2011). "Famitsu scores PlayStation Vita launch lineup". https://gematsu.com/2011/12/famitsu-scores-playstation-vita-launch-lineup. Retrieved June 9, 2018. 
  6. ↑ Hilliard, Kyle (February 14, 2012). "Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen". Game Informer (GameStop). https://www.gameinformer.com/games/shinobido_2_the_revenge_of_zen/b/playstation_vita/archive/2012/02/14/shinobi-2-revenge-of-zen-mediocre-stealth-meets-sloppy-action.aspx. Retrieved June 9, 2018. 
  7. ↑ Hindman, Heath (February 22, 2012). "Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen Review". CraveOnline. http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/54490-shinobido-2-revenge-of-zen-review. Retrieved June 9, 2018. 
  8. ↑ Watters, Chris (March 13, 2012). "Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen Review". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/shinobido-2-revenge-of-zen-review/1900-6366002/. Retrieved June 9, 2018. 
  9. ↑ GameTrailers (February 27, 2012). "Shinobido 2 [Revenge of Zen Review"]. Alphabet Inc.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iPT2lT9sqs. Retrieved June 9, 2018. 
  10. ↑ Workman, Robert (February 22, 2012). "Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen Review". Archived from the original on March 1, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120301004904/http://www.gamezone.com/products/shinobido-2-revenge-of-zen/reviews/shinobido-2-revenge-of-zen-review. Retrieved June 9, 2018. 
  11. ↑ Miller, Greg (February 21, 2012). "Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen Review". Ziff Davis. http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/02/22/shinobido-2-revenge-of-zen-review. Retrieved June 9, 2018. 
  12. ↑ "Review: Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen". PlayStation: The Official Magazine (Future plc) (57): 56. April 2012. 
  13. ↑ Hindman, Heath (January 13, 2012). "PS Vita Review – Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen". CraveOnline. http://playstationlifestyle.net/2012/01/13/ps-vita-import-review-shinobido-2-the-revenge-of-zen/. Retrieved January 17, 2012. 
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  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
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