|
|
 |
 |
|
I.Ninja Review |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
I.Ninja
|
| Game Info |
|
I’m sure that there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that ninjas are cool. I’ve realized that while playing Ninja Gaiden and Shinobi as a kid. Since then, I can’t really remember any exciting games about the mystical ways of the ninja, I don’t even think there were that many. And now with I-Ninja on the shelves and Ninja Gaiden in the works, I can say that ninjas are back.
At first glance, I-Ninja may appear simply as just another platformer. But, once you have played at least one level, you’ll realize that first impression is false. The game starts with our hero Ninja slicing and dicing through a bunch of enemies called “Ranx”. Upon defeating all of them and rescuing Sensei, Ninja acquires a rage stone that makes him go berserk and accidentally slice Sensei in two neat halves. Ooops! Sensei’s spirit tells you that in order to defeat the Ranx, Ninja must collect all the stones and destroy lord O-dor.
After the brief ninja training, you will find yourself in a main stage from which you can access all other missions or go to the next main stage. Before each mission, sensei will give you a small briefing describing your objectives and sometimes will share valuable (and always hilarious) ninja knowledge. Most missions will require you to go through the level, complete some task and receive a “grade” in the end. If you collect enough grades, you will gain a new belt and thus become stronger. Missions are all very diverse and vary greatly from one “stage” to another. There are also special boss missions, in which you will have to defeat a nasty monster. For example, to defeat the first stage boss, you will have to punch him out by using a giant robot “Tekiyama”.
All missions will require you to demonstrate skill in ninja combat, acrobatic stunts and ninja wisdom. Aside from cutting through hordes of Ranx, you will have to roll a barrel of gunpowder through a level filled with enemies, flames and explosives. How about outrunning a fuse that will ignite the explosives stockpiled at a bottom of the dam? If that’s still not enough, you can buy mini-level challenges from other stage ninjas in order to acquire bonus grades.
If slicing enemies, hurling deadly ninja stars (http://www.xboxcentral.net/spacer.gif) and explosive darts, & running up walls isn’t enough, try using your special ninja abilities. Ninja is able to go into battle rage and inflict more damage, and once you progress and get higher belts, Ninja will be able to revive himself, enter shuriken rage and ride a giant shuriken as well as become invincible. You can even use stationary rocket launchers scattered across some levels.
With that kind of power, no one can stand in your way.
I-Ninja is far from being a simple platformer because gameplay rapidly changes. You can find yourself running around the level while looking at ninja in 3rd person view, and then you jump on a ball that needs to be rolled till the end of the level and the game goes in completely different pace. There are also many missions where you will switch to first person view because you are piloting a craft or blasting enemy crafts from a shore battery. Occasionally, you will meet an enemy “captain” which will jump up into the sky and duel with you in the air. So, the gameplay can change when you least expect it and you better be ready for it.
On the technical level, I-Ninja looks quite attractive also. While the graphics aren’t the marvel of technology, things do look pretty well. Characters are very well animated and their movement looks smooth. I like the effect of green Ranx blood dripping from your sword. Levels look pretty cool too with lots of color and detail, although the water effects still remind me of Quake 2 (come on people, we’re past that!). Moreover, the game sounds even better than it looks. Levels always have some groovy tunes and ambient noises, Ranx will run around grunting and various equipment will make electronic noises adding to the atmosphere. The voice of the Ninja is hilarious and really fits the edgy ninja character. Even though Ninja does not babble very often, you will often hear things like “Eat Steel” and “You want some too huh?” accompanied by occasional insane laughter.
I-Ninja is also good for the fact that the game lacks any serious bugs. You may notice some glitches in shadow effects and sometimes get annoyed because your positioning prevents moving the camera in the angle u want to move it though this doesn’t happen often. But in the overall, not only does the game look and sound good, it plays great without any serious bugs to interfere with your fun.
In conclusion, this game is fit for beginners and real pros of the genre because it starts easy and progresses into difficult missions. The game will find fans in both young and mature audience, due to its humor and nature of gameplay, both groups will be able to enjoy it. Overall if you like ninjas and wanna try a platformer that’s a bit different, this is definitely the game to try! Go now, and remember “A stitch in time is worth two…in the bush!”
Visit the official game's website here!
Review By: Hasan Sadiki
Scores
|
|
|
|
