This guide compiles the ninja- and detective-themed picks from the RPS Advent Calendar’s 2025 lineup, translating a sprawling note into actionable guidance for players. The notes describe Jeremy’s bonus picks as ninjas and at least one point-and-click thriller set in a netherworld of torture devices. Some assassins appeared on the final calendar, others did not, and one entry did not make the cut. The goal here is to show how each title fits into a modern retro-leaning library and what to expect when approaching them for a first playthrough or a revisit.
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black stands out as the most accessible route into Ryu Hayabusa’s Xbox-era mission, even as it wears a newer coat. Released as a shadow drop early in the year, this remaster translates the 2008 action classic to Unreal 5 visuals, delivering the series’ signature fast-paced hack‑and‑slash with flashy dismemberment. The trade-off, as critics noted, is that the level design feels dated and the game’s armor is vintage, including some 2000s-era character tropes. Still, for players who want a direct, crowd-pleasing beat ’em up that leans into spectacle rather than era-accurate world-building, 2 Black remains a compelling entry point among the Advent Calendar picks.
Kathy Rain 2: Soothsayer is described by curators as a true successor to Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers, and it’s easy to see why when playing. The game casts a sassy private investigator/journalist through a mature, detective-noir trajectory that begins with a serial killer and evolves into an examination of trauma and dependency. The pixel art is among the year’s standouts, and the story benefits from well-constructed puzzles that respect players’ time. The trip into a netherworld of torture bits and bobs adds a chilling fringe element that helps the game sit closer to a point-and-click thriller than a straight adventure. Note that the Director’s Cut of the first game matters for context, and the title isn’t entirely standalone, which may affect first-time players who haven’t done that prior reading.
Kathy Rain outside van
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance presents a grand shinobi revival that sits between nostalgic tribute and modern revival. Joe Musashi’s run is visually striking, with Lizardcube’s hand-drawn art painting a vivid, technified ninja world and the combat system delivering satisfying head-knock animations. Its level design channels PS1-era puzzle rooms with a block-pushing flavor and arenas full of enemies, which some players may find repetitive, but the game remains strong in its core fighting and traversal loops. The revival sits alongside Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound as a pair of retro-inspired comebacks released in quick succession, and while Art of Vengeance doesn’t surpass Ragebound in polish, it stands as a refined revival that confirms the enduring appeal of the Shinobi property.
Ryu Hayabusa nunchuck
Guided by these notes, a practical starting point can be chosen based on playstyle. For immediate action and a visually current retread of a classic series, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black offers a straightforward entry with ample spectacle. For players drawn to investigative storytelling, puzzle design, and a mature narrative that nods to Gabriel Knight, Kathy Rain 2: Soothsayer is the pick, with the caveat that completing the original game or Director’s Cut improves coherence. If the aim is to experience a painterly revival with tight, arcade-like combat and a strong sense of atmospheric design, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance provides a compelling alternative that highlights the genre’s enduring versatility. Each title reflects the Advent Calendar’s playful premise while delivering distinct flavors of ninja fantasy and investigative mood, giving readers a concrete route through a year’s worth of bonus games.