After playing Sea of Stars, I had to play the game that put Sabotage Studio on the map, and I'm glad that I did for a number of reasons. First of all, it's an excellent take on a retro Ninja Gaiden inspired game. It executes well on what made those classics so great and also modernizes it in all the right ways. The game is also filled with clever surprises which really help to maximize the experience. It's also filled with gorgeous pixel art and ear worm tier tunes. To top this all off, The Messenger helped me to appreciate Sea of Stars even more. I'd almost call this game necessary to play in order to full understand some of what happens in that game. It's clear that Sabotage Studio has creativity and passion meaning I'm thrilled to see what retro revival they tackle next.