Ninja Gaiden Black

"Is Your Ninja Game STILL Hot?"

Is your Ninja Game still hot? It better be because Ninja Gaiden Black ups the ante with new difficulties and Hurricane Pack content. If your ninja game was never hot don't worry new easier difficulties are introduced so you won't feel left out. Anyone who had a NES growing up played the Ninja Gaiden series, if not shame on you. Since it was announce Ninja Gaiden generated serious hype, and this revamped release was highly anticipated as well.

Game Play 9/10:

The gameplay is pretty simple, destroy enemies collect souls, upgrade skills,weapons, all straight out of a capcom game. The camera was also straight out of a capcom game and is the games first issue. Sometimes the camera is too close, while minor at times, it can become an issue. Tecmo attempted to address this issue by adding a new adjustable camera, it doesn't really work out as well as it should, but its still a improvement for those who like to adjust the camera with the right analog stick.

The AI is inconsistent, it ranges from great, to pathetic, you either die quick or the enemies just stand there. Enemies are usually eliminated a certain way, either the a+y move with the level 2 dragon sword, or a counter attack. Bosses have an old school feel to them, they all follow a pattern and once learned can be defeated easily. In fact some bosses are easier than regular foot soldiers. On increased difficulties the AI is awesome, they run and leap off walls, and execute attacks with ninja precision.

Controls 7/10

The game controls are very loose, which isn't bad, but sometimes you want to do a simple jump and you end up doing some crazy wall run or a flip. The fact that that X attacks AND interacts with the environment can cause major issues. You could be in the middle of a heated battle and your ninja game hot,and just exit the door, losing a bonus you could have gotten.

No lock on system? I guess lock on systems are considered clunky now a days. Ninja Gaiden could have used a lock on system, the auto targeting is usually good, but at times you'll find yourself attacking an enemy you weren't going after, which could mess up everything.

Even if your ninja game is hot, you'll die many times. Props to team ninja for not making a baby game.

Graphics 10/10:

Jaw dropping, though some of the same colors are overused a lot, its hardly noticed. Team Ninja makes excellent looking games, there's no doubt about it. The CG videos are also very well done. This is a game you show off to the haters. You'll see new cutscenes and areas are improved with new reflections and colours.

Sound 7/10:

The voice acting isn't bad, but its far from great. I turned on English Subtitles and switched the language to Japanese.

The music is dull at parts, but has its bright moments, the tempo heats up with the action, especially during boss battles.

The sound effects are all top notch, the swords clinging and slicing all sound perfect.

Replay 9/10:

The games replay value comes from the ranking system and new difficulties. When you clear a level your ninja game is ranked and scored, hardcore gamers will enjoy achieving master ninja on every level on every difficulty. Also included is a master ninja tournament mode which will allow you to compare your scores to other gamers world wide. Hardcore gamers will get their replay fill from this game, but casual gamers may not even finish it once, the game can be quite difficult at times. Hopefully the new lower difficulties address this issue.

Overall(not an average) 8/10:

The original gaiden arcade game is included, you must find secrets as you progress through the game to unlock it. This is becoming a trend in the industry, I like it everyone should be doing this.

When Ninja Gaiden was first released I said that Tecmo fell just short of making a classic. Well I was wrong, Ninja Gaiden is serious and the enemies are no joke, if your ninja game isn't up to par you will be destroyed.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 09/26/05