"Nothing says unemployment like a hawt dungeon-crawling ninja"

Izuna: Legend of the Unemployed Ninja came out a few days ago and I picked it up the minute it got to the store. I was there waiting for it when the shipment came in. Ever since, I've been playing it, practically non-stop.

To start this off, Izuna was created by two companies I've never actually heard of: Success and Ninja Studio. Actually, I can't remember if I've ever heard of Success, so we'll just leave it at that.

So I guess we'll start with the review then:

Gameplay: This game's a dungeon crawler. You play as the hawt ninja Izuna (no really, it says that in the instruction booklet -_-). Basically, you go into a dungeon, and it creates a randomly-generated map and puts you somewhere on it. You walk/run around and kill anything and everything that comes at you (though this might take a while....). You pick up items (weapons and talismans) that you find laying on the floor of these dungeons and you can use them for your benefit. Also, the gameplay is turn-based. Basically everyone moves at the "same time", but if you stand still, nothing moves, no matter how long you wait. However, you can push L+R to "Skip" which basically takes a turn, causing enemies to move, when you don't want to. When Izuna's HP reaches 0, she faints. People find her in the dungeon and take her back to town. Although you're "back to life" and all, you lose all the items you were carrying and all the money you had. You can store your items and money in the storehouse however, and keep them there for later uses.10/10

Story: So Izuna and her buddies are wandering around because their master kicked them out, due to the uselessness of ninjas during times of peace. They stumble upon this quiet town and decide to settle there. Grandboss goes to look around as Izuna decides to take a nap. After she wakes, she is told to go looking for Grandboss because he hasn't returned yet. As it turns out, Grandboss angered the Gods. So now the Gods have go ballistic and have cursed everyone. Everyone begins to act weird so Izuna gets all P.O.ed and goes to find the Gods and get them to remove the curse. 10/10

Graphics: The graphics in the dungeons are more or less graphics that you could pull off on the GBA. However, I don't see how else this game could have been presented. The graphics, though not completely DS-ified fit the game. Also, the graphics that show the characters when they speak are awesome. They definitely give off that anime feel. 10/10

Music/Sound: First of all, Atlus left in a bunch of Japanese. Being someone who loves the Japanese language and culture, this game rocks my socks (yeah...I said it.). The music in the dungeons fits the scenery of the dungeon and doesn't seem to ever get old. 10/10

FINAL SCORE:: 10/10

This game is definitely one of my favorite DS games. I'm glad I picked it up and I definitely give it my highest recommendation. However, keep in mind that it is for the hardcore gamer. The first time I went into a dungeon, I died from the 2nd monster I met. The next time I went it, I died from the 3rd. -_-

So get used to dying, and go buy the game. ^_^

P.S. - This is my first review and I'm so glad it was for this game. =)

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 02/26/07