Mystical Ninja starring Goemon

"A fun RPG/platformer , but mediocre replay value."

Mystical Ninja for the N64 is quite a fun game that is a good buy if you're a big RPG or platformer fan. Now lets get to the bulk of the review.

Graphics: 8/10
The graphics are pretty good for one of the earlier N64 games. The characters and towns are well-drawn, and makes this game slightly more enjoyable. There is just so much detail. It would have gotten a higher score if it had less clipping and slowdown, though.

Story: 3/10
Way too confusing to explain. Let's just put it that way.

Sound: 8/10
In my opinion, this game has the second best music for the N64, with Jet Force Gemini being best. The music is very catchy (I remember many tunes after not playing the game for 6-7 months!). Each tune fits the corresponding area really good. It got an 8 because the sound are well, pretty bad. They sound like they were ''borrowed'' from some NES and SNES tunes.

Gameplay: 8/10
The gameplay, the most important aspect of a game,is very good. You start the game with Goemon, a famous spiky-haired dude, and Ebisumaru, a funny, yet fat, guy. Yae, a good friend of Goemon's, who is a female joins Goemon and co. later in the game. Sasuke, a cool-looking robot, is given to Goemon+Friends even later in the game. Each character has their own attacks and powers, which are very cool. The game mixes RPG, adventures, and puzzles, which is neat. There is so much to do that you'll often get confused about what to do next. You get to use a huge robot, Impact against some bosses, and that is pure fun.

Replay Value: 5/10
When you're done, you're done. Only play again to get all 45 Fortune Dolls, or to show off by finishing all 3 files. The game is a tad easy, though.

Play Control: 6/10
The game is a little complicated whan it comes to control, at first. But sooner or later, you'll get the controls down pat. Controlling Impact is another story. The useful moves are really hard to pull off, because they somtimes use 5-10 buttons.

Rent or buy:????
If you like this kind of game, pick it up. Otherwise, ya' ain't going to be happy, maybe. As always, try before you buy. In other words, rent first.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 06/27/00, Updated 06/27/00