t one point during gameplay, I found myself with my back against the wall as two ninjas approached, stalking me like wolves do their prey. Given the severity of the situation, I knew that I wouldn’t last much more than a second if I faced them head on. In desperation, I leapt up onto the wall and scurried around the corner to a favorable vantage point over my attackers. With one swift strike, I came down upon my foes like the wrath of a god, decapitating both of them with one fell swoop. As their heads rolled and their bodies collapsed to the ground, I paused the game, took a moment to reflect, and said to myself, "It doesn’t get much sweeter than this."
Not since the original Devil May Cry has a game made me feel like such a badass. I continually found myself in absolute awe over its visceral gameplay charge. By seeing just how taut the swordplay in this game can be, you have to assume that Tomonobu Itagaki and his crew at Team Ninja went into this project with the hope of creating the most intense game to date.
Unlike most ninja titles, you won’t find yourself tiptoeing behind enemies and ducking around corners. Along with a healthy dose of Indiana Jones-like puzzles, this game’s primary focus is the action that it brings to your screen. Ryu Hayabusa’s move set is equivalent to a character in a fighting game. With this bounty of attacks, you can unleash one combo after another, perform miraculous high-flying maneuvers, and absolutely cripple the opposition. Later in the game, you’ll even find yourself sizing up the competition. Do you rely on the might of the trusty Dragon Sword, tap into the speed of the nunchaku or Vigoorian Flair, or try to apply an instant kill with the hammer?
Each weapon (and its upgrades) brings with it a different set of moves and strategies. When you begin the game, you have a standard set of attacks at your disposal. A few stages later, you’ll find yourself with more moves than you know what to do with. You’ll be bouncing off of enemies’ heads, tossing them into walls, launching into the sky and spearing them, and even summoning the power of the gods to create a whirlwind of ice.
The controls that Team Ninja has fashioned are absolutely perfect for the combat at hand. Never before have I felt so comfortable in an action game. As easy as it may be to handle, this is not a game for novices or people who are easily flustered. Without a doubt, this is one of the most difficult titles on the market. In all honesty, I wouldn’t be surprised if people wrote in saying that they couldn’t get past the first boss. It’s the kind of game that tests you every step of the way. As wicked as some of the bosses may be, even the casual thug or ninja is capable of draining your life. There are no easy fights in this game. Sometimes you’ll have to take the defensive and look for openings or counter your opponents’ blows. Other instances have you facing off against a horde of undead. The beauty of the game is that there’s a trick to taking down every enemy that you face. To make quick work of the undead, you simply need to lop off their heads. To slow mounted troops, a quick arrow to the foot will knock them off of their steed.
It’s continually demanding of skill and flawless execution. If you use too many health potions in a fight, you could ruin your chances of moving forward in the game. You’ll often find yourself questioning whether or not you should press forward, restart from a previous save point, or completely begin the game anew.
If you have the patience and mental determination to overcome this title’s physically exhausting challenges and unforgiving difficulty, Ninja Gaiden will absolutely rock your world. Not only is it one of the most entertaining games to play, it’s a marvel to look at. The game has visuals that absolutely kill. The detail that accompanies the environments, character models, and effects are truly spectacular. Furthermore, there is no greater payoff in defeating a bothersome boss than a beautiful CG movie.
With 16 lengthy stages, Normal and Hard difficulties, and secrets buried around every corner, Ninja Gaiden is capable of keeping you hooked for the better part of the year. From start to finish, this game captivated me to no end and wowed me like few others have. If you’re up for a good challenge, and are looking for the best that the Xbox has to offer, Ninja Gaiden is an absolute necessity.