Gaming

SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance scratched my ‘Zero in Megaman X4’ itch

And then some

Published

September 3, 2025

Allow me to frame this properly. Megaman X4, specifically Zero’s campaign, is one of my all-time favorites. I can’t recall every detail anymore, but I’ll never forget the feeling — chaining that three-slash combo, jump-dashing, wall-hopping, and pulling off special moves. Playing SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance brought all of that flooding back.

This game didn’t just scratch my itch for a good 2D action platformer — it satisfied it. From the action to the platforming to the presentation, everything clicked in a way that made me feel right at home, while still giving me something new.

Vengeful combat

The starting moveset is strong. You don’t feel like the character was held back — from the get-go, you already feel like a badass ninja. Combos are fluid, chaining light and heavy strikes with kunai throws, and you can cancel into dashes to keep the flow going. By the time you unlock new skills, the enemies have already ramped up in ways that make each addition feel necessary rather than just flashy.

What really sold me was how layered the combat becomes. Beyond standard combos, you can pull off executions once an enemy’s stagger gauge fills, rewarding you with bursts of health or ammo. Ninpo skills add another dimension — special moves that let you clear space or punish groups when things get hectic. Later on, amulets and traversal tools fold into combat as well, letting you customize your approach, whether that’s aggressive, defensive, or a balance of both.

Even with all that, fights never felt overwhelming. Deaths were on me, not the game. The enemy variety kept me on my toes, and boss fights in particular made sure I used every tool I had learned up to that point. Each one felt like a proper exam on my ninja training.

What sealed it for me was one of the early boss fights. On paper, it wasn’t the toughest, but I played it jetlagged on a flight — not exactly ideal ninja conditions. I knew I had the tools to win, but it still took me close to ten tries before I finally nailed the rhythm. I landed the finishing blow just as the pilot asked us to prepare for landing. That mix of stubborn challenge and sweet payoff is what this game nails so well.

Challenging platforming

Jumping, double jumping, and air-dashing felt second nature right away. If you’ve played other 2D action platformers, you’ll slide right into the rhythm. Wall-hopping and wall-running took me longer to get a handle on — about two and a half hours before I stopped second-guessing my inputs — but once it clicked, it opened up the game in the best way.

Stages always kept things fresh. One level had moving platforms over bottomless pits that punished sloppy timing. Another leaned on vertical climbs, forcing me to chain wall runs and dashes in rapid succession. Later on, environmental hazards like lasers and collapsing floors made traversal feel like puzzles as much as platforming tests.

I fell plenty of times, but I never felt lost or cheated. The level design does a great job of pointing you in the right direction without handholding. And when new abilities unlocked, they didn’t just add flair — they gave me access to hidden rooms and shortcuts in earlier stages, rewarding exploration without dragging the pace.

Artful presentation

The hand-drawn look nails the vibe. Sharp character sprites and backgrounds pop without being too busy, and it sells the whole cyberpunk-ninja aesthetic. Each stage feels distinct — neon-soaked cityscapes, industrial factories, and eerie temples keep things from blending together. Enemy designs also play into the theme, mixing traditional ninja motifs with futuristic twists.

The soundtrack does a lot of heavy lifting. Pulsing synth beats push you forward during combat, while moodier tracks give boss arenas real weight. It matches the action so well that I found myself nodding along mid-slash.

Voice acting is solid across the board. The lead only communicates through grunts and battle cries, which is equal parts funny and fitting, but the supporting cast delivers their lines with enough conviction to carry the story beats. Speaking of story, it’s serviceable — a classic tale of revenge and corruption. You won’t be dissecting it years from now, but it does enough to keep the momentum going.

You also don’t need to have played past Shinobi games to enjoy this one. It stands tall on its own, even if you’re coming in fresh.

Is SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance your GameMatch?

A quick note: starting with this title, we’re gonna carry over our playful way of saying what’s worth your time — a seal of approval of sorts — into game reviews.

Swipe Up means it’s highly recommended.
Swipe Right means recommended, but maybe not for everyone.
Swipe Left means not recommended.

SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance is an easy Swipe Up. The action, platforming, and presentation come together to make for a riveting experience — the kind of game that respects your time while still pushing you to master its systems. It’s a classic case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.

And if you grew up chasing that Zero slash-combo high like I did, SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance is the modern revival you didn’t know you needed.

It’s available now on PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, and Nintendo Switch.

Related Topics:SEGA SHINOBI SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance

Gaming

IKEA, Xbox launch nine-piece YXSTABY gaming collection

Gaming inspired furniture

Published

November 6, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

Gaming setups don’t have to look like dedicated gaming rooms. IKEA and Xbox are making that easier with their new YXSTABY collection.

The nine-piece collection combines IKEA’s furniture design expertise with Xbox’s understanding of gaming. It brings together functional furniture and playful accessories inspired by Xbox controllers.

IKEA launched the collection in the Philippines on November 4 at its Pasay showroom. The event featured interactive room setups that demonstrated how the furniture fits into everyday homes.

The launch also included a cosplay runway inspired by IKEA’s iconic blue and yellow FRAKTA bag. Guests explored immersive gaming stations and experienced the collection firsthand.

Gaming furniture designed for everyday homes

YXSTABY addresses the challenges of fitting gaming setups into shared living spaces. Its furniture supports different gaming positions while keeping accessories organized.

The gaming lounge chair accommodates both forward-leaning gameplay and relaxed reclining positions. A rolling side table keeps gaming accessories within reach.

The collection also includes flexible storage for cables and accessories. Its felt inserts protect stored items, while its foldable design doubles as a laptop stand.

Families can also move their gaming setups between rooms. A TV stand with castors makes it easier to relocate equipment without dedicating an entire room to gaming.

Xbox controller-inspired accessories

Xbox’s influence extends beyond the collection’s gaming furniture. Several accessories take inspiration from familiar controller elements.

The Gaming D-pad cushion recreates the controller’s distinctive directional button. A stainless steel platter also borrows its design from the D-pad.

Another standout is the tilting thumbstick stool, which takes inspiration from an Xbox controller’s analog stick. A mirrored display box gives collectors a dedicated space for controllers and other gaming memorabilia.

Bringing gaming into Filipino homes

IKEA Philippines Sales Leader May Castillo highlighted the collection’s relevance to local households.

She pointed to the Philippines’ strong gaming culture and the country’s high engagement with video games across different devices.

IKEA Philippines Selling Manager Sarah Cox said the collection draws inspiration from Xbox controllers and how gamers actually play. It also incorporates IKEA’s playful approach to furniture design.

The collaboration brings together two brands with different strengths. IKEA understands how people use their living spaces, while Xbox understands what players need from their gaming setups.

The result is furniture that makes gaming more convenient without making the rest of the home feel like a gaming room.

Gaming

The next Elder Scrolls game is called Sentinel

And it will be set in Hammerfell.

Published

November 4, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Can you believe that it’s been over eight years since Bethesda announced The Elder Scrolls VI. Since then, we’ve seen neither hide nor hair of the upcoming title. Today, the studio has mercifully revealed a tiny bit more about the game including its title and setting.

Historically, the Elder Scrolls franchise is not known for its numbering. It’s not The Elder Scrolls III, IV, and V; it’s Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim. Now, we know what The Elder Scrolls VI will be called — Sentinel.

The name is also a huge clue as to where the game will take place. Besides being the name of the game itself, Sentinel is also the capital of Hammerfell, a region in northwest Tamriel. The teaser, which shows a sword being uncovered from a pile of sand, confirms this. After all, the Alik’r Desert is one of the region’s highlights.

Now, Hammerfell is not a new region for players. The region, especially the titular Sentinel, was previously featured in The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall. Obviously, not a lot of gamers would have played this classic game before, so a return will introduce the region to a lot more modern players.

Unfortunately, despite throwing us a bone with the name and the setting, Bethesda did not reveal when the title is coming. Given that Grand Theft Auto VI is launching very soon, the time is ripe for the launch of another much-awaited title.

Gaming

Wild Rift Patch 7.3, celebrates K/DA comeback

K/DA returns with FIRESTARTER

Published

November 2, 2026

GadgetMatch

Riot Games is celebrating the return of virtual K-pop group K/DA with new music, exclusive skins, and major gameplay updates in League of Legends: Wild Rift Patch 7.3.

After a six-year hiatus, K/DA returns with FIRESTARTER, the group’s newest track and the title track of an EP featuring three additional songs. The release marks a new chapter for the virtual group, which brings its latest musical era to the mobile MOBA through the new HEATBRINGER skinline.

To celebrate the comeback, Riot Games hosted FIRE IT UP: The K/DA Comeback Party in the Philippines. The event brought fans together for a listening party featuring music from across Riot Games’ virtual acts, live Wild Rift gameplay, community activities, and exclusive photo opportunities.

Attendees also experienced live AAA ARAM matches featuring gameplay disruptions and augments inspired by Riot Games’ musical universe, including HEARTSTEEL, Pentakill, and TRUE DAMAGE.

K/DA returns with new HEATBRINGER skins

The K/DA comeback introduces the HEATBRINGER skinline, featuring new looks for the group’s four original members: Ahri, Akali, Evelynn, and Kai’Sa.

The skins give the champions a new visual identity inspired by K/DA’s latest musical era, with fiery red and white elements that bring their stage presence to the Rift.

The collection also includes Prestige K/DA HEATBRINGER Evelynn.

The new skins are exclusive to Wild Rift and are scheduled to launch on November 4, 2026.

The comeback extends beyond the cosmetics. With FIRESTARTER and its accompanying EP now available on major music streaming platforms, K/DA’s return brings together Riot Games’ music and gaming communities.

Wild Rift Patch 7.3 overhauls marksmen and item builds

Beyond the K/DA celebration, Patch 7.3 introduces significant gameplay changes that reshape champion builds, jungle strategies, and objective control.

One of the biggest changes targets marksmen, giving critical-strike builds more room to scale. Base critical-strike damage increases from 175% to 200%, while the attack-speed cap rises from 2.5 to 3 attacks per second.

Several marksmen also receive individual adjustments, including Ezreal, Kai’Sa, Twitch, Lucian, Caitlyn, Draven, Miss Fortune, Samira, Zeri, Jinx, Vayne, and Ashe.

The item system gets an overhaul to support these changes. Players can explore new or redesigned options, including Hexoptics, Yun Tal Wildarrows, Fiendhuler Bolts, Stormrazor, Rapid Firecannon, and Immortal Shieldbow.

Lifesteal also receives changes intended to support basic attacks, on-hit damage, and abilities treated as basic attacks.

Support items are part of the update, too. Echoes of Helia is positioned toward offensive supports who want to convert damage into healing, while Ardent Censer, Staff of Flowing Water, and Harmonic Echo also receive changes.

Jungle changes reward efficient farming

Patch 7.3 also changes how junglers approach the early and mid-game.

The updated jungle system rewards consistent camp clearing with bonus gold and introduces a catch-up mechanic for junglers who fall behind. This reduces the pressure to constantly gank and encourages players to balance farming with opportunities to assist their teammates.

Clearing camps also progresses Ecosystem Protection stacks, allowing Smite to scale from 600 to 1,000 and eventually 1,400 true damage.

These changes make efficient farming more important when preparing to secure major objectives such as Baron Nashor, Rift Herald, and Dragons.

Epic monsters also adjust to the pace of each match, scaling according to the average player level rather than simply growing stronger as time passes.

Turrets receive substantial changes as well. Plating now extends to outer, inner, and inhibitor turrets and remains permanently. The new Crystalline Overgrowth mechanic lets turrets accumulate crystals that champions can detonate with their first basic attack.

Together, these changes place greater emphasis on lane pressure, defensive positioning, and coordinated pushes. Winning team fights remains important, but teams must also turn their advantages into meaningful objective damage.

Hwei, Sylas, and Rek’Sai join the roster

Patch 7.3 expands the champion roster with three additions: Hwei, Sylas, and Rek’Sai.

Hwei, the Visionary, brings a flexible set of abilities to the mid lane. His Subject: Disaster, Subject: Serenity, and Subject: Torment ability groups give him tools for dealing damage, supporting allies, and controlling opponents.

Sylas offers explosive damage and crowd control. His kit includes an ability that pulls enemies into a stun-to-knock-up combination, while Kingslayer restores health based on his missing health. His ultimate lets him steal an enemy champion’s ultimate ability.

Rek’Sai brings another approach to initiating team fights. Her Unburrow ability knocks up nearby champions, while her ultimate helps her track nearby enemies before striking.

These additions give players more options for adapting their team compositions and strategies.

Ranked play and game modes get updates

Competitive players also get changes to Ranked and Legendary Ranked.

The S/A and MVP scoring systems now evaluate performance according to a player’s lane and champion role instead of relying on a single universal metric. Strong performances can also yield more Ranked energy.

Legendary Ranked receives adjustments to its seasonal entry requirements for former Grand Masters, alongside a new trial format designed to help top performers advance from Legendary Commander Rank.

Players looking for something different can also try Rift Rumble, a new 3v3 mode played on a symmetrical map. Teams battle for kills and compete to capture ultimate stones that can change how their champions secure eliminations.

Meanwhile, AAA Realm continues to evolve with a music-themed season and new augment cards. These include Sonic Waves, which draws inspiration from Riot Games’ musical acts, including HEARTSTEEL, Pentakill, and TRUE DAMAGE.

A new era for K/DA and Wild Rift

With FIRESTARTER, the HEATBRINGER skins, and a sweeping gameplay update, Patch 7.3 connects Riot Games’ music and gaming communities through a shared celebration.

K/DA’s return gives fans a new soundtrack and fresh looks for their favorite champions, while the gameplay changes introduce new ways to approach champion builds, jungle farming, and map control.

Players can follow Wild Rift Philippines’ official social media channels for updates on the latest patch, champion releases, and in-game content.

K/DA returns with FIRESTARTER.