Ninja: Shadow of Darkness

"The most TOUGHEST game Ever!"

Introduction: Okay this game is one of the toughest that you will ever see. Without the use of cheat codes, it is almost impossible to defeat. But if you like a challenge, then this is the game for you. Horde after horde of enemies of varying strengths comes after your skin. Also, you can’t just run away; you have to kill each and every one of them to advance into the next area. Then there are the unavoidable traps. And these are just the easy parts...

Now let's go to the review:

Presentation: 7/10

This game is fairly presented, even though we might have expected something more from the mighty developers of Tomb Raider. You play a young ninja, who has to fight a lot of enemies to avenge his ... whatever. You have to pass a lot of levels, facing countless foes and avoiding seemingly endless obstacles and traps. The storyline is moderate, even though it is not that engrossing.

Graphics: 8/10

The graphics are decent and quite good. In fact, if it weren’t for them, this game would have bombed totally. The background may be a bit hazy at some times, but you can't expect any more from the PSone. The FMV sequences, though not too many, are excellent.

Sound: 7/10

The sound in this game is passable. But there’s nothing exceptional about it. The music is okay, even if it gets boring after some while. Even though the sounds during rain, while you walk on different surfaces, etc., are distinguishable from each other, its overall impact is not too great. The game would have been much better if it had some real gory sounds.

Gameplay: 6/10

This game, as I have mentioned before, is the hardest one to ever hit the gaming world. Controlling a purple ninja in the third person view mode, you can hardly advance two steps forwards before you are ambushed my some blood-thirsty demons. But it is a lot of fun, if you don’t use cheats. But then, you can’t even advance to the second level. The controls are good and simple, and your magic potions add a little extra to the game.

Replay Value: 0/10

If you bother to play the game till the end, then the replay value is high. If not, it’s zero. Also if you have already finished it, then you will never play the game again. One time is more than enough to reach the brink of insanity.

Overall: 28/40

This game is decent, but doesn’t even compare to other good games. You can play it if no other game is present or you have nothing else to do. Never buy this game, I repeat never BUY this game, it’s not worth that much for it’s price. But I am sure you can rent it cheaply.

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 11/09/01, Updated 11/09/01