Oboro Village marks the beginning of Joe Musashi’s story in Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, and despite being what is essentially a tutorial level, it’s got quite a few secrets in it that players won’t want to miss.
Due to the Metroidvania-style level design of Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, the vast majority of secrets within all the game’s levels are locked behind some sort of mechanic that requires specialized tools. Oboro Village is no exception, and if you want to get everything this level has to offer, here’s a guide that covers all the secrets hiding within it.
All Oboro Relics in Oboro Village
Oboro Relics are used to expand the Yokai Shopkeeper’s inventory. There are five of them in every level, and while some are placed conveniently in your way, you’ll need to be thorough when exploring if you want to get all Oboro Relics in Shinobi: Art of Vengeance.
- An Oboro Relic can be found in an isolated room inside the dojo. From the Antechamber shrine, head to the far right side of the next room, and go down the path at the bottom floor. Drop down and follow the path to find a chest at the bottom.
- One can be found to the left of the Village Ruins shrine, under a Yokai floor barrier (Sword Dive required).
- Another is under another Yokai floor barrier at the bottom of the room containing the Attic shrine — this room leads to the Ankou Rift in the level. Head past the rift, then climb up the left side. This will lead you to a chest.
- From the Collapsed Bridge shrine, go to the right, then keep following the way forward until you reach a large room with a chest above an overhang. You can reach that chest by jumping against the wall below, then double-jumping to the ledge, or by using the platforms above.
- An Oboro Relic is practically given to players right before meeting the Yokai Shopkeeper. It can’t be missed.
All Elite Squad Encounters in Oboro Village
Elite Squads are combat encounters against groups of enemies. They usually have a few special variants of regular enemies you encounter along the game’s campaign, and if you complete all of them in a level, you’ll unlock a special Passive ability that augments Joe’s abilities.
- The first Elite Squad encounter is above the Antechamber shrine. Climb up, then go to the ledge with the Yokai Barrier wall. Break it open with Cannon Punch, then start the Elite Squad fight by hitting the Oni mask.
- The second Elite Squad is to the left of the Collapsed Bridge shrine. You can enter the area at any time, but in order to cross the lava at the bottom and do the rest of the obstacle course, you’ll need the Ninja Hook.
Oboro Village Ankou Rift Location
Ankou Rifts lead to special parkour courses that reward you with pieces of the Dark Katana. Finish 10 of these rifts to unlock the katana as a usable weapon.
As mentioned previously, the Ankou Rift in Oboro Village is found near the Attic shrine. Drop to the bottom, and look for a Yokai floor barrier. Break through it with Sword Dive, then proceed to the rift inside the hidden room.
Oboro Village Secret Locations
Perhaps the most important secret in Oboro Village is the Kunai Burst Ninpo. You can get this by going to the Attic shrine and heading straight left. This is yet another obstacle course that requires you to have the Ninja Claws. Follow the spiky path all the way to the end to find the Ninpo.
The second secret is to the right of the Attic shrine. Just use Sword Dive to break the barrier and grab the chest underneath.
