Connect with us

Technologies

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound Is a Forgettable Chapter in the Series’ Legacy

All style, but no heart makes Ragebound an easy game to skip.

It looks like 2025 is the «Year of the Ninja.» Assassin’s Creed: Shadows was one of the big hits of the year’s first half, a new Shinobi game is on the way, and Ninja Gaiden fans are being treated to a full trilogy: Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, released in January, Ninja Gaiden 4, arriving later this year and Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, arriving Thursday. However, based on my experience, you might want to skip this installment: It’s charming but far from satisfying.

Ninja Gaiden Ragebound is a 2D side-scrolling action game that pays tribute to the original NES Ninja Gaiden trilogy. While the retro graphics are appealing, the gameplay lacks meaningful depth. It feels like a concept-first project where ninjas were added after the fact, with the Ninja Gaiden name slapped on to sell it.

Interestingly, Ragebound acts as a side-story to the original NES title. Ryu Hayabusa learns of his father’s death in America and leaves his village, setting up the events of the first game. In his absence, fellow ninja Kenji Muzo stays behind to protect the village. Soon after, a demon army invades. Meanwhile, Kumori, a ninja from the rival Black Spider clan, finds her home base under siege as well. Captured, Kumori tells Kenji to use a mystical dagger to bind her spirit to him.

This dual-character mechanic is Ragebound’s central hook. Players control Kenji, who uses a sword, while Kumori aids in spirit form by throwing shurikens. Occasionally, she can take physical form to reach areas Kenji can’t access. As the duo progresses, they unlock a powerful screen-clearing magic attack.

As clever as that sounds, it falls flat in execution. Kenji’s sword is his only consistent weapon, and Kumori’s shurikens are tied to a meter that only fills when Kenji lands hits. At full charge, you might get a dozen throws before it empties again. There’s a jump-based guillotine attack that feels vaguely Sonic the Hedgehog-like, bouncing off enemies, but it’s mostly used for platforming rather than combat. The moveset is shallow, as are the level designs.

Stages feel repetitive, filled with endless waves of weak enemies that die in one hit. Occasionally, one drops a power-up that lets you instantly kill a larger foe, but these moments don’t change the core loop that repeats again and again until you reach a boss.

To the game’s credit, boss fights are a highlight. Each has distinct patterns and grows more complex in its second phase. These encounters forced me to be more tactical with dodges and attacks, and a few required multiple attempts due to overcommitting or mistiming. But these fights are the only part of Ragebound that feels like it was designed with care.

The regular enemies are mindless and mostly exist to knock you into pits, which cause instant death. Otherwise, they’re laughably easy. With healing talismans and generous checkpoint placement, it’s difficult to actually die. In fact, with Kenji’s dodge ability, you can run past most of the level without engaging. You’ll be healed at the next checkpoint anyway.

Levels are set in various regions of Japan, and while one stage on a building under construction offers a bit of variety, most environments lack creativity or challenge.

The difficulty is also a huge departure from Ninja Gaiden’s legacy. The original NES games were notoriously punishing, and the Xbox reboots were even harder. Here, the default difficulty feels like «baby mode.» You can tweak settings to remove healing items or increase enemy damage, but that’s about it.

The 2D pixel art is from developer The Game Kitchen, known for the Blasphemous series. The style echoes the NES and SNES era nicely, but the charm fades fast. Unlike Blasphemous, which featured unique enemy designs and animations that oozed personality, Ragebound’s enemies feel lazy. They just run toward you, then pop like water balloons when defeated.

With six to eight hours of gameplay at a price tag of $25, I cannot recommend Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound. It lacks anything of interest other than this side story to the original Ninja Gaiden game, and even then, it’s just introducing different ninjas that are fighting monsters. This game was supposed to be a love letter to the original trilogy, but instead, it’s more like a bad photocopy of a love letter made by someone who didn’t seem to care that much. 

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is available for PC, Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series consoles.

Related Topics:

Technologies

Adding the Epic Games Store to Your Steam Deck

Continue Reading

Technologies

Galaxy Z Fold 7 Breaks Record for Highest Number of Fold Preorders

Samsung’s Z Flip 7 and Fold 7 also saw a more than 25% increase in total preorders compared with last year’s phones.

Samsung’s latest foldables are already making quite a statement, beyond their bold new designs — or maybe because of them. 

The phone-maker said in a newsroom post Thursday that the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which is its thinnest foldable yet, racked up more preorders «than anyprevious Z Fold device in US history.» It added that both the Z Fold 7 and the Z Flip 7 saw a more than 25% hike in total preorders compared with last year’s handsets. 

Carriers also saw an uptick in sales. Samsung says there was a nearly 60% jump in preorders for both phones cumulatively, compared with last year. In a statement, it added, «In-store shoppers are takingadvantage of getting their hands on the devices, with thin, light and compact designs, as well ascamera improvements being among the top interest drivers.»

A CNET survey from June found that 30% of people list the camera as a top consideration when upgrading their phone. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 packs an impressive 200-megapixel main camera, which can serve up images on par with those from the top-of-the-line Galaxy S25 Ultra. It’s a significant milestone for Samsung, but also for foldable and thin phones overall, since cameras tend to take a hit due to hardware limitations. But Samsung worked around that by developing smaller, more advanced components for both the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and its skinny predecessor, the Galaxy S25 Edge, which came out in May. 

Not surprisingly, another top consideration when buying a new phone, according to CNET’s survey, is price. The $2,000 sticker on the Z Fold 7, which is $100 higher than last year’s model, is likely to be a deterrent for many shoppers — though it clearly hasn’t stopped the phone from breaking early sales records. The Z Flip 7 also comes at a rather hefty $1,100, though this year Samsung also introduced the slightly cheaper Z Fold 7 FE, which starts at $900. 

It’s not just preorders for the Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 that saw a spike. Even after general availability for the phones kicked off on July 25, Samsung says, «momentum for both devices remain strong, with orderscontinuing to outpace the previous generation by more than 25%.» The Z Fold 7 is also outperforming sales of last year’s model by around 50% since it hit store shelves, according to the company. 

A fresh form factor brings fresh excitement

The sleeker build of both foldables, particularly the Z Fold 7, can help entice new buyers who are hesitant about switching to a new form factor. In another CNET survey from earlier this month, 15% of respondents who don’t own a foldable say it’s because they’re too bulky. 

The Z Fold 7 helps to remedy that with its slim profile, which measures 8.9mm thick when closed and 4.2mm when open. That, along with a wider 6.5-inch cover screen, makes it feel as close to a standard slate phone as possible and places it in the same camp as other thin foldables from Chinese companies like Honor, Oppo and Huawei. 

«Foldables have reached an inflection point as they are becoming a mainstream choice forusers,» Drew Blackard, Samsung’s senior vice president of mobile product management, said in a statement. «Now, on our seventh generation, we’ve addressed consumer feedback yearafter year and have arrived at the kind of experience you can’t get on any other device. Whenpeople go hands-on with a Z series device, they’re hooked — and now it’s all coming togetherwith record-breaking numbers.» 

In an exclusive interview with CNET ahead of the launch of the new phones, Blackard expressed similar sentiments, noting that, «There’s no longer that trade-off of, ‘Well, do I want a traditional bar-type smartphone, or a foldable?'» He added, «You’ll kind of get the best of both worlds.»

Samsung added that although black is usually the top color choice for Z Fold users, blue shadow made up about half of Z Fold 7 preorders. (I tested the blue shadow version myself and found the color to be a good balance between eye-catchingly bold and practically subtle, thanks to its deeper hue.) The coral red version of the Z Flip 7 «has also beat expectations,» Samsung said, making up 25% of preorders for that phone. «Thesetrends are remaining steady through the first week of availability,» the company added.

This all comes as Apple reportedly plans to launch its own foldable next year. The iPhone maker hasn’t confirmed or shared any details, but that hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from churning. A report from JPMorgan earlier this week notes that the first foldable iPhone is expected to launch in September 2026 and could cost $1,999. Apple is reportedly teaming up with Samsung Display to create a crease-free display.

Continue Reading

Technologies

You’d Never Lick a Toilet Seat… But You Might Be Doing Worse With Your Phone

Carrying your phone everywhere means it picks up bacteria from every surface.

Your phone might be the dirtiest thing you touch all day. From sweaty workouts to bathroom breaks and everything in between, smartphones pick up germs fast…and hang onto them. Studies have found that the average phone is often filthier than a toilet seat, harboring bacteria you definitely don’t want on your hands or face.

If you’re not disinfecting regularly, you’re probably spreading that grime without realizing it. The good news? You don’t need expensive gear to fix it. With a simple cloth and safe cleaning solution, you can wipe away the bacteria without harming your screen. Here’s how to clean your phone the right way and keep your device (and hands) a little less gross.

The Federal Communications Commission suggests disinfecting your phone daily, but not all cleaning methods are safe. Harsh chemicals and abrasive materials can damage protective coatings and potentially harm your screen. To keep your phone both clean and intact, it’s crucial to use the right cleaning techniques.

We’ll guide you through the best methods and products for keeping your device germ-free, from iPhones to Samsungs, and whatever their level of water resistance may be.

For more cleaning tips, here’s how to clean wireless earbuds and AirPods. 

What are the best products for daily cleaning?

After touching surfaces that see a lot of action from the public — such as door handles, seats on public transportation, grocery carts and gas pumps — you might think you need a heavy-duty cleaning agent to use on your phone. However, you should avoid rubbing alcohol or products made of straight alcohol, since they can damage the protective coatings that prevent oil and water from harming your screen.

Some suggest making your own alcohol-water mix, but getting the concentration wrong can damage your phone. The safest option is using disinfectant wipes with 70% isopropyl alcohol. For daily cleaning, consider a UV light product like PhoneSoap, which kills 99.99% of germs and bacteria. We can also turn to phone manufacturers and cell service companies for guidance, too. 

Apple now approves using Clorox Wipes and similar disinfectants, which was not recommended before the pandemic since they were thought to be too abrasive on the screen’s coating. AT&T advises spraying a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution on a soft, lint-free cloth and wiping your device down. Samsung also recommends using a 70% alcohol solution with a microfiber cloth. Always make sure your phone is powered off before cleaning it. 

What are the best methods for removing fingerprints, sand and makeup?

Sometimes your phone needs a more specific treatment when washing up. The recommended process for daily cleaning may not be enough to remove pesky grains of sand after a beach vacation or tough foundation stains. 

Get rid of fingerprints

Fingerprint smudges are inevitable since your skin produces oils. Every time you pick up your phone, your screen will get fingerprints. The safest way to make your screen print-free is with a microfiber cloth. For a deeper clean, dampen the cloth with distilled water (never apply water directly to the screen) and wipe down the surface. This works for the back and sides of your phone as well.

Alternatively, try a microfiber screen cleaner sticker that sticks to the back of your phone for easy wiping.

Remove sand and small particles

Grains of sand and lint can easily get stuck in your phone’s ports and crevices. To remove it, we recommend you use Scotch tape. Press it along the creases and speaker, then roll it up and gently insert it into the ports. The tape will pull out any debris. You can then just simply throw away the tape for easy cleanup. 

For smaller speaker holes, use a toothpick gently or a small vacuum crevice tool to suck out the debris. These tools work well for other small appliances or hard-to-reach areas in your car too.

Cleanse makeup off your phone screen

When you wear makeup and skin care products, such as foundation and moisturizers, you’ll leave residue on your phone screen. While makeup remover works for your face, it’s not safe for screens due to potentially harmful chemicals. Instead, try a screen-safe makeup remover like Whoosh, which is alcohol-free and gentle on all screens.

Alternatively, use a damp microfiber cloth to clean your phone, then wash the cloth afterward. Make sure your cloth is only slightly wet to avoid soaking your phone in water. 

What if my phone is waterproof?

For waterproof phones (IP67 and above), it’s best to clean the device with a damp cloth instead of submerging or running it under water — even if the phone advertises that it can withstand submersion for a certain amount of time. 

Afterward, dry your phone with a soft cloth, ensuring all ports and speakers are patted dry. While your phone can withstand water, submerging it can lead to water in the ports, delaying charging. Remember, water resistance is meant for accidents, not swimming or regular cleaning.

Things to avoid when cleaning your phone

We’ve already covered why you should avoid makeup remover and rubbing alcohol, but those aren’t a comprehensive list of harmful cleaning agents. Here are a few other items and products you should never use to clean your phone: 

  • Hand sanitizer: Fragrances and ethyl alcohol found in many sanitizers can harm your phone. 
  • Window or kitchen cleaners: Harsh cleaners can strip the protective coating on your phone and leave it more vulnerable to scratches.
  • Paper towels: Paper can shred, making the debris on your phone much worse, and the rough texture can leave scratches on your screen. 
  • Dish and hand soap: Most soaps require you to combine them with water, and since you should keep water away from your phone, it’s best to stick to a damp cloth.
  • Vinegar: Like cleaners and alcohols, vinegar will strip your phone screen’s coating.
  • Compressed air: Blowing intense and direct air into your phone’s portals can cause damage, especially to your mic. Apple specifically warns iPhone owners not to use compressed air.

For more cleaning tips, explore how to clean your Apple Watch. 

Continue Reading

Trending