So you wanna run PS2 Shinobi. Here's some good starting points.

Controls

Square - Sword

Triangle - Throw Shuriken

Circle - Jump (can be pressed again in air for double jump

X - Dash

R1 - Lock-on

L1 - Center Camera

R2 - Switch Lock-on

L2 - Use Ninjutsu

D-pad Left/Right - Select Ninjutsu

Ninjutsu types

Fire - Large AoE around Hotsuma

Lightning - Allows Hotsuma to dash rapidly + you are invincible for the duration

Wind - Gives you 6 stocks of projectiles which you can fire by swinging your sword

Special Moves

Dash Strike

• Square [Hold while locked on]
• Hotsuma will strike a pose for as long as you hold down the button and have his sword at the ready
• When you release square he will dash forward with his sword and deal damage to all enemies in his path

Shuriken Burst

• Triangle [Press while double jumping]
• Hotsuma will shoot out a stock's worth of shuriken and stun all enemies in range

Stun Kick

• Back (away from the direction you are facing) + Lock-on + Square
• Hotsuma will perform a kick that will stun the enemy

Wall Run

• Jump or dash towards a wall and you will automatically cling to it.
• You can run or dash along a wall.
• Note: you cannot dash along walls with demonic corruption on them (looks like tar)

General Routing Philosophy of the Run

• Your sword does more damage as you kill more enemies in a wave, so many waves/bosses are designed around you taking out

a certain amount of enemies before one-shotting the boss or the stronger enemies with your powered up sword.

• Movement is very important as you can chain dashes forever on the ground. This means you are constantly on the move.
• Getting to know how air actions are distributed is also important.
• Shurikens are often used to either stun key enemies, or take out destructible goals (they will look like giant stones with kanji on them) from afar.

Runs to Watch First

HyperJaja's Run

TalesOfJade's Run