Page 37 - OSG Presents Classic Gamer Magazine #7

modern
modern

challenging in this game, meaning you Keeping things interesting is the new variety of moves means repeating levels is
should expect routine thugs to block and ability to acquire a rather diverse selection not as irritating as it could have been. No
parry while their frisky friends provide cover of weapons, including nunchaku, a hefty stage plays exactly the same way twice,
fire in the form of energy blasts, arrows, or war hammer, the boomerang-like windmill since you’ll always be striving to perfect
in some cases, riders on horseback. Most of shuriken, and other tools of the trade, your technique.
the enemies are ninja variants for traditional each of which can be powered-up to new Ninja Gaiden could have been a disas-
steel-on-steel battles, but players will even- levels at hidden shops located within the ter. The lead designer has -- on record, no
tually encounter supernatural foes in the game. The weapons dramatically change less -- admitted to not playing the NES tril-
form of zombies and fiends as well as some each fight, so if you’re having difficulty ogy, which means familiar story elements
of the nastiest bosses yet witnessed on the dealing with certain enemies with the de- and supporting characters were scrapped in
Xbox. You’ll encounter a dominatrix type, a fault Dragon Sword, a new death-dealing favor of new blood, and the many delays in
creepy mass of tentacles, a helicopter, and instrument might help turn the tide in your development were not encouraging. Yet the
more. With all of the action that goes on in favor. Also of assistance are health po- final result “feels” like Ninja Gaiden. Few
combat, there will be some issues with the tions available at the same shops (for a modern titles deliver the total package of
camera, which cannot be manually con- small fee, of course) along with other thrills, graphics, and challenge, which fits in
trolled. types of elixirs. line with what the classic Tecmo series
The lightning-quick response time of Ninja Gaiden is nicely paced, a title helped establish to begin with. Hardcore
controls helps make up for the inability for that doesn’t go too heavy in exploration, fans will yearn for more nods to the past,
players to manually swing the camera in the but also doesn’t bore you with nonstop and the world here is so gorgeous you can’t
heat of combat (pressing a button automati- fights. You’ll be interested in gawking at help but wish for more adventure elements,
cally centers the camera behind Ryu, but the varied and exotic locales, searching but this is unabashedly an action game from
there will be times when you are fighting for locked chests needed to boost your start to bloody finish. Free from the sneak-
blind as enemies attack Ryu from the back). stats, and solving basic puzzles. Yet ing around that’s associated with the genre,
You have to keep running, flipping, and there’s always a constant fear that the Ninja Gaiden is non-stop activity with a
slashing -- so chances are you’ll be able to next room might be your last -- whether clean bill of stealth.
right some of the camera wrongs simply by it’s from a trap or a group of enemies lying
taking an aggressive approach to combat. in wait. The only major complaint is you
As in games like Onimusha or Devil May are at the mercy of the camera in this Rating:
Cry, killing enemies proficiently will unleash game, and there will be times when you’ll
glowing essence used to replenish magic clench your teeth in frustration as an en-
power, health, or wealth. Thus how you fight emy slices you from behind while you are
ultimately affects how long you fight. engaged with another foe. Thankfully the