23.8.2005

Before I start this review let me sum the game up for you - this game is probably the best action/adventure game I have ever played.The game revolves around ninja Ryu Hayabusa (from the DOA series) as he seeks retribution against Doku, the mystical warrior who burned down Ryu's village and took the dragon sword.The weapons you use to achieve this mission are varied in all respects. There are over ten different weapons to wield, ranging from the heavy and powerful to the light and quick (ideal for racking up huge combos!) with all manner of weapons lying in the middle (did someone say huge windmill throwing stars?). These weapons lie at the heart of why this game is so great.There's no better feeling than slashing up your opponent with a large pair of nunchucks which have huge blades on the end of them.The enemies in the game put up a tough fight indeed and range from swarms of blood-sucking bats to ninjas similar to Ryu all the way to "Fiends" - strange-looking demons that will not hesitate to disembowl you. The difficulty of the enemies gradually increases throughout the course of the game. However, this is not to say that the enemies of the first level are easy. Indeed, don't be surprised if you find yourself dying early on in the game. You must quickly come to grips with the demanding combat system in order to stand a chance. This is helped in part by the upgrade system. You can upgrade each of your weapons at special shops throughout the game to make them more powerful and unlock more moves, and hidden collectibles allow you to extend your health and magic bars.You are also given four different magic spells throughout the game called Ninpo. Three of these can be upgraded to be more powerful. They include fire, ice, and wind attacks and are very impressive. They are usually reserved for those tight spots in the game you find yourself in.If you are having extreme difficulty despatching the regular enemies, then you will be disappointed to hear that the bosses are, in true gaming fashion, even harder. This game is infamous for the ridiculously hard boss fights. They require a skilled proficiency with weapons, a good sense of timing, and most importantly of all, PATIENCE. There are some particular bosses where you will find yourself dying dozens of time, and I can assure you that is no exaggeration. These deaths are not cheap like in other games however, and you will see there are ways of finding holes in the enemy's defence.The graphics in the cutscenes are quite simply the best graphics I've ever seen, probably equal to Final Fantasy games. The cutscenes at the end of the second level really flaunt the game's graphics and help to progress the story. In terms of the plot, the story is nothing spectacular, and its main purpose is just to serve as a bridge between the chapters. In other games this may be considered a weakness, but with Ninja Gaiden all you want to do is hack and slash and then slash some more, without having to deal with those pesky cutscenes.The soundtrack is very good, and I especially like the music when Ryu returns to his village later on in the gameAs you kill enemies throughout the game, they drop little misty orbs that are known as "essence". Once the essence has been dropped you can either collect it or you can hold down the Y button. Holding the Y button will allow Ryu to absorb the essence allowing him to unleash a powerful "ultimate attack". These ultimate attacks produce a close-up view where you completely go to town on any enemies that happen to get in your way. Each weapon has a unique, but equally violent, ultimate attack. Combos and ultimate techniques give you more essence than a regular kill so you should try and use them as often as possible, both to make your life easier and just to stare at the attack sequences in awe.The essence you collect will either be yellow, red, or blue. Red restores your Ninpo meter, blue restores your health, whilst the yellow is the game's currency and counts towards your score. This scoring system brings a very arcade-type feel to the game which I found very refreshing. At the end of each level you are assigned a score based on essence collected, enemies killed, time taken etc. This in turn assigns you a rank for the level (ninja dog, ninja warrior, ninja master etc). This system gives a real sense of nostalgia and is a good throw-back to all those old arcade side-scrollers. Incidentally, the original Ninja Gaiden arcade game can be unlocked for play during a certain portion of the game.Once you complete the game, you can start a new game and have a brand new costume with a new sword which is called a plasma saber, which looks identical to a light saber. It has to be my favourite weapon in the game, purely for aesthetical reasons. Like many other people have said, this game is HARD. So hard, that it doesn't even feature an easy difficulty. Only normal, hard, and very hard - and believe me, normal will be more than enough for your first time through.The hurricane packs available through xbox live bring a whole new level of difficulty to the game. They are specially designed levels which require you to climb a large tower, fighting wave after wave of enemies. As a result, this game has incredible replay value.This is one of the best games I have ever played and deserves to be known as a true great over all consoles, so I would definitely recommend buying this game.

12.7.2004

Tecmo have created a truely amazing game that looks, sounds and feels as good as ever.If I could explain how good this game is I would say, the platform controls of Prince of Persia, the fighting controls of DOA, Tekken and Soul Calibur put together and those little things which make games great like Halo and KOTOR.In fights you will be able to do an infinite number of combos. For example, you see 3 enemies coming. You jump on one of their backs slice your dragon sword into his chest, turn around look at the other two opponents and use a power attack in which your attacks will be so quick that your body movement will become a blur. You may always use the environment as an advantage.Jump off a wall and slash your sword, use shooting stars to stall opponents, circle around rooms to lose opponents and more. Other environmental effects will be on the fighting stadium size, if you are in a small room you might prefer to tackle more than 1 enemy at the time and use walls to its full advantage while if you're in a large room you will try and fight one enemy at a time.The more complex your kill was the more karma you get. Karma will let you unleash your chi. By charging up your chi you may use it to defeat seemingly unbeatable foes. Something a lot like chi is Nimpo magic. You also charge it up but it creates a even more devastating attack than chi. It is extremely rare and expensive to find so you must really only ever use it against guardians.At the end of each level you'll meet a guardian who is basically a boss. These will prove more than deadly and you will take a long time learning how to defeat these monsters because Tecmo put in enough time to give these bosses millions of combos, to add to that being reppetitive like many fighting games will not help. These monsters can counter any of your moves if you start becoming reppetitive, a great example of how great the AI is.The game isn't only about fighting though, there also a few points in the game where Prince of Persia platforming comes in. Trust me the gameplay is just as smoothe as the gameplay in Prince of Persia, if you've played Prince of Persia you'll know how it feels to jump off walls to other platforms, if you haven't then you should start discoverring with this game (the fighting is so much more superior to that of Prince)The music isnt one of the great aspects of the game but the sounds that the happen when swords clash together, when they enter the bodies so smoothly, those tiny steps you make that are so subtle, nearly impossible to hear, the wind and even deep dark quiet are all done so accurately that you will truly be amazed by the sounds effects.Tecmo are known for more than just the fighting part though. Yep you've guessed it, they are also great at graphics and Ninja Gaiden does not dissapoint. everything from the characters to the environment work perfectly. And of course all the ladies are hot, something common upon tecmo since the Dead Or Alive series started. I even find the camera easy to control, it will automatically slightly twitch sometimes but apart from that it's great.To me this game has got no flaws but I will tell the rpg gamers that if they like storyline games with more than one route to go then this wont be the perfect game for you. This game's story is based on you avenging your father and dog's death (or was it capture i forgot already...) and there will basically be only 1 route for you to follow.All in all this is a one of the best if not the best game to date on the xbox yet. Great gameplay, great graphics, great sound and superd fighting makes the lifespan truly long especially if you got Live. This game lived up to the hype and deserves an applause9.5/10 97%

18.5.2004

I know that some people are moaning about the difficulty of this game but there is no need. This game just takes a little bit of time to get used to. People who are dying instantly need to block effectively and that could not be easier, because there is just one type of block which blocks virtually everything!! Press L!! For those who complain that all you do is button bash X, it won't get you much further than the two ninjas before the first boss. The amount of combos are almost limitless if you take the time to experiment. As I said earlier it just takes time.Gameplay: The gameplay is so smooth and rewarding. As soon as you kill a boss you feel very relieved!!The amount of combos is almost limitless and all the attacks are so fluid.The only bad point about the overall gameplay is that the English version has had the violence minimised quite a bit in comparison to the NTSC version. Yes there is blood but not the decapitation and other extreme scenes that can be found in the other version. I would fine this perfectly reasonable if games such as Soldier of Fortune 2 were banned or toned down in this country. But they are not!!! Plus Soldier of Fortune 2 is far more violent. I am confused!!9/10Sound: The sound is brilliant. All the different interactive items make perfectly realistic sounds such as the wooden crates and when your sword bangs off metal. The only drawback is no in game speech.9/10Graphics: Outstanding!! Best on any game yet. There are tons of varied environments such as old villages to airships. Everything is brilliantly polished and runs fluidly. Really uses the Xbox power.10/10Difficulty: From reading other peoples reviews they are all complaining about this and saying it is a bad point. Well its not a bad thing!! You will definitely get your £40 worth. The difficulty is not frustrating difficult as the game is so fun. All you need to do is find effective attacks for each type of enemy. For example the first boss Murai will not be beaten by walking straight upto him and trying to go head to head. It just wont work. Aerial attacks are a definite win against him, it makes it a breeze. People who are doubting over whether to get this game due to its difficulty should stop worrying about it. I promise that this game will be worth your money. Don't be put off by difficulty!Overall: This game is honestly the best game I own and I know that other people feel the same. Yes the game is harder than most games but not frustrating. Those worried about this should rent it first just to see how enjoyable it is to play. So overall, this game is worth the money and I promise that you will not be disappointed.10/10Just play it and you will see what I am talking about.

7.5.2006

Ninja Gaiden has been dubbed as one of the hardest games of recent times. but this is something i welcome, i think recently games have been fairly easy and thus killing off the play time of potentially great titles. NG is really a shining example of how to mix hack and slash with action adventure. However i think the era and atmosphere of the game also adds to its charm, maybe its just me but i just love ninjas and all the rest of it.So you start off as Ryu Hayabusa an upcoming Ninja part of the Hayabusa clan who defend the Dragon sword a weapon of immense power capable of destroying its evil counter part the Black Dragon Sword.

3.6.2004

Right, firstly I'm going to put straight the difficulty level debate that seems to be going on here. Admittedly the game has its infuriating moments but I have also been playing games for the best part of 20 years now and I never really gave up. This game requires more than simply determination and constant attacking. Patience is required and there is a lot of skill needed to beat the games various bosses. I had to attempt a few of them several times and also, like many others almost gave up on the first boss but perseverance is a key here. I have completed the game and it took me just over two weeks to do so.Right, onto the actual game. It's not just hack and slash all the way.

20.5.2004

I have been highly anticipating Ninja Gaiden ever since I saw the first few shots of it in one of the X-Box mags. I had read all the reviews and apart from the fact that it was stunning the one other thing that kept on coming up in every single review was that it was excruciatingly hard, but I didn't let that put me off and I bought it as soon as I could. The intro was incredible, and the water right at the beginning of the opening level shimmers and you can almost feel the spray from the waterfall, that's how good the graphics are, and that's just the in-game graphics! The movements are fluid, every move that Ryu (the lead character) makes is flowing and graceful! The cut scenes are sublime and I can assure you,

3.5.2004

I have completed the American version which I found outstanding! I trust that the English version will be the same. Please enjoy this review which tells you the story line of the game and its features. This could very well be one of the finest action adventure game to hit the best next generation console!!Ninja Gaiden is on the cutting-edge of action. Take on the role of powerful ninja Ryu Hayabusa, who seeks revenge after his clan is massacred by the Vigor Empire. Taking full advantage of three-dimensional space, advance through the story with only your wits, your ninja skills, and your deadly sword—cutting down opponents in the Vigoor Empire as you attempt to beat the Holy Emperor and reclaim the magic sword "Ryuken."Features:Xbox Live compatible: Tecmo's revered development team,

1.10.2004

Ninja Gaiden is a legendary game with one bitter error - Its just too hard.The movement involved in Ninja Gaiden is brilliant. The freedom of movement, running up walls, swinging from trees and a generally interactive environment is precisely what we have always wanted from games such as this. The movement of Enter The Matrix satisfied my want for this but it does not compare to Ninja Gaiden. At the very start you wonder how you will be able to work such an environment with progression involving running vertically up walls to climb cliffs, but this soon becomes more simple as you gain awareness of environments no other game provides.The fighting on Ninja Gaiden is good, but is difficult.

9.6.2006

I feel pround of myself as I write. Why? I managed to finish Ninja Gaiden, even if it was only on normel. This game is the height of my beloved hobby. The graphics were the best around when the game came out, and somehow only blockbusters like Oblivion have topped it since. If you want to see how good they are, then look at Ryu's eyes in any of the cutscenes. Somehow they have captured the shine that eyes give off. The music is fantastic too. Go into settings and listen to "Alma Awakened," it is some of the best music ever. The story is also nice. It's interesting, and keeps your attention. It also has some unexpected twists. The actual gameplay though is where the beauty of this game lies.

29.4.2004

Ninja Gaiden is one of the most eagerly awaited Xbox games of all time.The Series was one of the most beloved of the early nineties, and now manyof the earlier fans are adults. The Series has now matured, and has grownbetter with age.The game starts with Ryu Hayabusa, a heavilytrained young ninja equipped with a legendary sword. He and his clan guardthe sword, which is magically potent. An evil henchman, Doku, destroys thevillage, and slaughters the ninjas to collect the sword. This sets ourhero, Ryu off for revenge.The first thing I noticed about thisgame, are the incredible graphics, the water shimmers beautifully, thedynamic lighting glints off weapons, the enemies and Ryu himself,

12.8.2004

Before I get to my main rant; the game is as good graphically as Halo and Splinter Cell, and I especially liked the music on some levels.Reading the reviews some people have left here, I am puzzled at whether or not we were playing the same game. Ninja Gaiden is Harder than average, but not 'insanely difficult', certainly not on normal mode. The control system is fine, and flows like liquid, I wouldn't have it any other way. The camera is so essentially simple, look around in first person, or centre in third person behind your character, nuff said. The first two levels and their bosses, believe it or not, actually do 'ease you in' compared to later levels and bosses, and the plot at first is not completely apparent,

22.8.2004

If this game teaches us anything, it's that ninjas don't have an easy life. It would seem that even a brief jog outside will cause you to be attacked by all manner of monsters, all before breakfast.The original Ninja Gaiden series was known for being extremely hard, and that's certainly something this latest version takes to heart - if you don't like replaying levels numerous times, then I wouldn't suggest playing this game. You will almost certainly die frequently, but rarely will it be down to anything but human error.The game is extremely well crafted, and the controls are tight and responsive, reminiscent at times of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. The graphics are detailed,

29.6.2004

I avoided this game for a while when it came out, despite friends and reviews telling me how good it is. But i also listened to the hype about how difficult it is and i hate difficult games, simply because i find them unnecessary and unfair. So it suprises me to agree this game is supremely difficult, but i love it!!Ninja Gaiden may be difficult, but it feels totally fair when you die because you honestly do feel like you didn't perform to the best of your ability. It drops you right into the action and the first level is one that will put an uncommitted gamer off. But when you get to grips with the controls you feel so powerful. The normal enemies are just as good as you and the bosses are even better.

26.9.2005

This game is definitely in the top 5 games I've ever played. The graphics are incredible throughout, sometimes I'd just stop and take in the scenary.The fighting engine took some mastering, if you've read any of the other reviews you'll know it's hard. Please don't be put of by the first boss though, he is hard but not impossible. I found the subsequent bosses a little easier but I think that was only because of the way the game teachs you to move. The learning curve is steep but when you get the hang of it, it's truely amazing and you will be astounded at the relfexes and complexity of attacks you're capable of. You'd jump into a crowd of 5 bad guys and take them all out with minimal health loss and go wow!

28.5.2004

This Game is extremly good in my opinion, it is a game that really aims to challenge you 'and it does that very well'.Many people have complained about the difficulty, and yes to a point i agree that if you only play games to complete them in a few days you will not like this. Allthough this is a negative thing for some it is a positive for others. I think it is a good thing it is a game that will match any gamers skills 'until they reach the learning curve' this is a good thing for a hardcore gamer who is bored of completing games in a few days.Now the 'Difficulty' issue is out of the way it only leave a purely beautiful game in both graphical and gameplay terms.

Ninja Gaiden (Xbox) - Reviews

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