▶ Console version announced at IGN Fan Fest… Free demo now available on Steam
▶ Differentiate yourself with random builds, spirit power, and the ‘Way of the Donkey’ skill tree.
Mexican Ninja, a 2.5D roguelike action brawler developed by Bogotá, Colombia-based indie game studio Madbricks, will be released simultaneously on consoles and PC in 2026. The game will be published by REDRUM, and will be released on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Steam PC versions. A free demo on Steam is currently available, allowing you to experience the game’s core combat system ahead of its official launch.
A clash of Mexican backstreet vibes and Japanese cyberpunk.
Mexican Ninja takes place in Nuevo Tokyo, a fictional city that blends the gritty Mexican aesthetic with Japanese cyberpunk. The city is ruled by the corrupt criminal organization Narkuza, and players become ninjas at the forefront of the rebellion, traversing the city.
The game prioritizes a fast-paced and chaotic pace. Combat is centered around tight combos, sharp evasions, and the “Universal Parry” system. Adding to this are “Mexican Jutsus,” inspired by Mexican magic, and various spirit powers, transforming each battle into an exaggerated and stylish brawl.
Combining 2.5D arcade sensibility with a roguelike structure
Mexican Ninja combines 2.5D side-scrolling arcade action with a roguelike mechanic. Randomly generated stages, builds, and a meta-upgrade system encourage replayability.
The “Way of the Donkey” skill tree, in particular, is a key system that amplifies a player’s individuality. Depending on your playstyle—whether it’s attack-focused, crowd control-focused, or enhanced parrying—the combat experience changes significantly. The developers emphasized, “Our goal is to create an energy that ‘fits’ perfectly with every dodge, combo, and parry.”
“Whether you play with a keyboard or a controller, it’s all about flow, confidence, and fighting ‘con huevos,’” said Dario Hoyo, creative director at Madbricks, expressing his anticipation for the console expansion.
Cartoon graphics and sound that combine Mexican and Japanese sensibilities
Mexican Ninja ‘s visuals were designed with a clear direction from the early planning stages. The art direction aimed to recapture the bold and rhythmic sensibility of early 2000s cartoons in a modern way. To achieve this, the development team established two principles: to present both Mexican and Japanese cultures in a fresh and balanced way, and to realistically implement them within the team’s production capabilities.
The resulting visuals are crisp and bold. Enemy characters range from street thugs to sumo wrestlers, and vibrant colors ensure clear distinction between characters and environments, even during battle. The sophisticated sensibility typical of Japanese games seamlessly blends with Mexican cultural symbolism, compellingly conveying a potentially cliche cultural mix with the team’s signature humor and self-awareness.
The soundtrack also follows the same direction as the visuals. The sophisticated soundtrack complements the vibrant colors of the screen, heightening the immersion of the game. The music that fills the streets of Nuevo Tokyo, in particular, combines the unique rhythms of Latin music with cyberpunk-inspired electronic sounds, earning praise for naturally blending with the tempo of the battles.
Users who experienced the demo responded, “The feel of the parrying is alive and well.”
Users who experienced the Steam demo have responded positively to the game’s fast-paced controls and parry-centric combat. Most reviews include, “The thrill of perfectly timed parrying is immense,” and “The combination of action brawler and roguelike is refreshing.” Other notable comments include, “The world concept is unique and the visual tone is striking.”
Some users commented, “The build direction changes with each run, which naturally encourages replayability,” or, “The Mexico and cyberpunk Japan setting felt unfamiliar at first, but once you actually play, it blends quite well.” However, some users expressed their hopes for improvements in the official release, citing expectations for an expanded difficulty curve and content volume.
The rebellion in “Nuevo Tokyo,” where Mexican sensibilities collide with Japanese cyberpunk, expands to consoles. The synergy between the fast-paced parrying action and roguelike repetitive structure is compelling enough to keep an eye on “Mexican Ninja,” slated for release in 2026. A demo version, currently available on Steam, allows players to get a taste of the game in advance.
Steam Store Page:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3764970/Mexican_Ninja/
