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Frantic Beat em Up Roguelike Mexican Ninja Launches Demo

Sometimes, a game’s title is able to tell you everything that you need to know about that game. That’s just the case for this upcoming beat em up roguelike Mexican Ninja!

Crafted by development studio Madbricks, Mexican Ninja is a wild romp that blends the style of two different cultures into one. Using a base of Japanese cyberpunk, with aesthetics and tropes taken for Mexican media and culture, the game has a very unique style. Said style creates a chaotic, yet enticing aesthetic that draws you in.

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That chaotic style shows in not just the setting, but also the story and world. Taking place in the city of Nuevo Tokyo, you take control of the Mexican Ninja to fight against the Narkuza, a blend of Narcos and Yakuza. With the Narkuza having a stranglehold on the city, you must fight back and break their grip.

The game follows a roguelike formula, tied together in a beat em up package. You have the standard gameplay from beat em ups like juggling enemies, racking up combos, and feeling like a force of nature. However, being a roguelike, losing means you will be sent right back to the beginning.

As you progress in each run, you will get new skills to cut down your foes and improve your capabilities. You also have access to a unique skill tree, dubbed the Way of the Donkey, to grow even further. Whether it’s new moves, an increase to your stats, or progress in the skill tree, strength is key to taking down the Narkuza.

KEY FEATURES

  • 3D Beat ’Em Up, 2D Retro Soul – Fast, responsive arcade combat with gore-splashed flair.
  • Rogue-lite Chaos – Randomized runs, trash-talking duels, and weapons that get muy personal.
  • Spirit Animal Skill Trees – Build around Blazing Talons, Angry Early Bird, Morning Squawk, and more.
  • Way of the Donkey – A swagger-soaked “skill tree” that turns good fundamentals into ridiculous power.
  • Mexican Jutsus – Signature abilities that supercharge crowd control that looks and feels stylish.

Mexican Ninja’s demo is available to play on Steam. The full release is expected to release next year in 2026. You can also discuss Mexican Ninja on the PopGeeks Video Game Forum!

KEY FEATURES

  • Mexican Ninja is a roguelike beat em up game.
  • The game blends a Japanese cyberpunk aesthetic with parts from Mexican culture.
  • You fight against Narco Yakuza called Narkuza in the game.
  • You fight to overthrow the hold over the city of Nuevo Tokyo.
  • As you progress, you can gain new attacks and skills to fight with.
  • You have a skill tree that you progress in called the Way of the Donkey.
  • The beat em up gameplay is easy to learn and fun to master.
  • The game has a demo up on Steam.

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Avatar of Poncho
Poncho

High Heat

86 messages 1 like

I tried the demo yesterday, and I was surprised by how much depth the combat has. The way enemies react to combos and juggling makes every fight feel different. I also really appreciate the cultural blend; the Japanese cyberpunk elements mixed with Mexican motifs give the game a look I haven’t seen before. The Way of the Donkey skill tree seems silly at first, but it actually adds a lot of strategic variety. I’m looking forward to seeing how the full release expands on what the demo shows.

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Avatar of hothead757
hothead757

Blue Ranger Power

1,254 messages 20 likes

I like games that are difficult but fair, and Mexican Ninja seems to fit that. Being sent back to the beginning on defeat is frustrating at times, but it makes each run feel meaningful. The roguelike elements paired with beat em up combat are clever. I hope the full release keeps the randomized runs interesting and adds even more skills to experiment with. The demo already feels polished, so I expect it to get really fun once more content is added.

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Avatar of LaraCroft
LaraCroft

Elevation!!! WOO!

1,219 messages 23 likes

The art style caught my eye first. Combining Japanese cyberpunk with Mexican imagery is a bold choice, and it works surprisingly well. The streets of Nuevo Tokyo feel alive, and the Narkuza are intimidating villains. I spent most of my demo time just moving through the city and experimenting with abilities. I also like how the skill tree encourages different play styles instead of just increasing raw damage.

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Avatar of 大和みどり
大和みどり

New Member

1,037 messages 25 likes

I am not usually a fan of roguelikes because restarting from the beginning can feel punishing. However, Mexican Ninja makes it enjoyable by keeping the action fast and varied. Each fight requires focus and timing, and the Mexican Jutsus make combat visually satisfying. I think the game will appeal to both casual players and those looking for a challenge.

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Avatar of Isaac60D09
Isaac60D09

Member

881 messages 30 likes

The demo shows that the combat system is smooth and responsive. I especially like how each new skill changes the way I approach fights. Even early in the game, experimenting with different combos feels rewarding. The beat em up foundation is strong, and the roguelike elements keep it fresh. I hope the developers continue adding more enemies and environmental hazards to make each run unique.

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Avatar of Bonnie
Bonnie

New Member

890 messages 1 like

I enjoyed the humor in the way the skills are named. The “Morning Squawk” and “Blazing Talons” skills made me curious to see what they do in practice. The game does not take itself too seriously, which is refreshing for a beat em up with intense combat. At the same time, the story about overthrowing the Narkuza adds some motivation beyond just fighting for fun.

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Avatar of BenjaminBenjaminBenjamin
BenjaminBenjaminBenjamin

New Member

928 messages 30 likes

I spent about an hour on the demo and was impressed by how smooth the controls feel. The juggling and combo system is intuitive, and chaining attacks feels satisfying. The roguelike aspect makes each run feel tense, which adds a layer of excitement I didn’t expect. The Way of the Donkey skill tree seems quirky, but it adds real depth to character progression.

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Avatar of PJ
PJ

New Member

884 messages 27 likes

I am fascinated by the combination of cultural elements in Mexican Ninja. The streets, the music, and the visual style are a creative mix that keeps you engaged. I also appreciate that the game challenges you without being unfair. The randomized runs mean you can never rely on memorizing patterns, and that keeps the gameplay exciting.

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Avatar of Lars
Lars

Member

329 messages 3 likes

The demo makes me excited to see what the full release offers. Even in early stages, the game shows promise with its unique aesthetic and fast-paced combat. I can see myself spending hours experimenting with different skills and routes through Nuevo Tokyo. The roguelike foundation works well because it makes each run feel important.

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