Ninja Gaiden 3 (PS3/360)

[Shozuki]

Finished this on Normal now, and well all I can say is I simply loved it. Sure its not as punishing as its prior counterparts but it's completely intact as a Ninja Gaiden game in all mechanics, though it does boast less weapons.

I enjoyed the predictable and cheesy story too - It has that made in Japan/over the top-ness to it which I personally quite like. Voice acting isn't too bad either considering the badly written/translated script. I suppose I should moan about the QTE's , but there not really that intrusive. If you want traditional Ninja Gaiden just play hard and you'll realise its all there and fun as ever, but normal is a nice ice breaker. There is one issue and thats the graphics, which are merely good if not outstanding. I used to consider Tecmo games as the benchmark of graphical fidelity but certainly not this generation, sadly.

Overall its classic Ninja Gaiden with a sprinkling of God of War, which isn't a bad thing!

Finally.... The Dead or Alive 5 Demo is excellent too, really looking forward to it! Roll on September!

[eastyy]

one thing i wanted to know is the blocking more instant then in previous gaiden games ?

[Shozuki]

It's always been instant, its just unlike something like God of War Blocking doesn't cancel other animations, so if Hayabusa is in full flight he wont block immediately.

EDIT: Doh! See what you mean now! No in that case...

[Judge]

On level three, and really missing the resource-management aspect from the earlier games, and well as the first title's non-linear level design. The core of the fighting is intact, but that's all there is to the game now.

Agree about the appeal of the completely mental story, although there's some shoddy aspects that I can't believe they let through, such as characters having two voice samples playing at the same time. Slightly undermined the lead villain's introduction, that!

[DANGEROUS-3]

I can't believe Tecmo screwed up Ninja Gaiden... NG/NG2 stand as my joint third fav games ever, but every review I read of NG3 whether positive or negative sounds like the game is ass. The things that defined this series for me where an uncompromising difficulty (THIS GAME IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE FOR NEWBIES TECMO!!!), a beautiful fluid gameplay where you can string ridiculous combos together (that also has depth, rewards the player for practice and feels awesome), DISMEMBERMENT! and girls with huge breasts. With NG3 it appears all four of these elements have been removed and the QTE-heavy gameplay looks AWFUL. They have to get Itagaki back... He's either laughing his ass off right now or pretty ticked off like the rest of us.

[Judge]

beautiful fluid gameplay where you can string ridiculous combos together

From what I can tell so far, they've completely removed the score element from the main game; there's not even a combo meter now. Fervently hoping that this is just me overlooking something in the options menu.

I through that NG2 was only just passable as a sequel to the first game, but this is making it look like a work of art in comparison.

[rmoxon]

The lack of a scoring system doesnt bother me, i wouldnt play this for scores anyway, but theres nothing like a combo meter to make you feel like an utter badass, which I always presumed was what these games were about.

I still think this looks terrible, but will have to give it a go when its about a tenner in a couple of weeks time.

[Dazzyman]

I'm playing it on hard and not finding it easy! Love it. Yep I can totally understand from die hard Gaiden fans like myself how much has changed but I still like it. Is the best no, is it the worst in the series, probably but is it a bad game for me no. It's a take on Gaiden mixed with God of War that yes in places it doesn't work but it's just different. If peeps can't except that they have killed kittens by altering the sacred series I understand and I too would have liked more of the same but I enjoy how it plays. Still give it a solid 7-8 on hard and I'd suggest anyone as a fan to play on hard. Forget the 3/10s scores tho, there a joke and I've not had game breaking slowdown on the PS3 version so far.

[ezee ryder]

Played this for a few hours yesterday and didn't really enjoy it. In fact, I got quite bored and don't think I will be going back to it.

I'll probably be alone in thinking this, but the combat just didn't feel fluid. The dodge mechanic, in particular, felt extremely clunky. Massive fans of the series might enjoy it, but (for me) the Ninja Gaiden formula has gone rather stale (dodgy QTEs included). It's not up to much visually either, although I could overlook that a little if the gameplay was fun. Sadly, that isn't the case.

I wouldn't call it terrible, awful, great or good. It's just an average hack n' slash title, nothing standout about it whatsoever. Meh.

[DANGEROUS-3]

I through that NG2 was only just passable as a sequel to the first game, but this is making it look like a work of art in comparison.

NG2 featured improved combat/gameplay, a bigger selection of weapons, dismemberment, bigger levels, amazing art direction (the airship stood out to me) werewolves! more incredible boss battles and one hell of a challenge. Both NG and NG2 are 9/10 games. Both are masterpieces let down only by the occasionally crap camera.

I'll probably be alone in thinking this, but the combat just didn't feel fluid. The dodge mechanic, in particular, felt extremely clunky. Massive fans of the series might enjoy it, but (for me) the Ninja Gaiden formula has gone rather stale (dodgy QTEs included). It's not up to much visually either, although I could overlook that a little if the gameplay was fun. Sadly, that isn't the case.

Nope, lots of people are thinking the same.
Check out some reviews.

[ezee ryder]

Nope, lots of people are thinking the same.
Check out some reviews.

Only read a couple, but that's good to know I guess!

[Fader209]

NG2 featured improved combat/gameplay, a bigger selection of weapons, dismemberment, bigger levels, amazing art direction (the airship stood out to me) werewolves! more incredible boss battles and one hell of a challenge. Both NG and NG2 are 9/10 games. Both are masterpieces let down only by the occasionally crap camera.

NG2 was far from a masterpiece and was frequently let down by crap camera. Boss battles were fairly rubbish too.
Agreed on the airship level,variety of weapons, dismemberment and werewolf points though but they were weighed down too much by the bad points for me to think about keeping the game at the time.

[Dazzyman]

Mobs are totally different on hard put up a much better fight. Great game indeed and don't see QTEs that often, fighting fluid like the others. There's a lot of techniques to learn for when u do the bone into body's to follow it up. I prefer the new take on ultimates makes it more strategic and the ninpo I never have been fussed about having loads, always stuck to one. Just the dlc with claws for me waiting for but moves wise very little has changed, same techniques and button combos. As said play it on hard cas normal is boring and not usual hard as nails Gaiden

[Dazzyman]

NG2 was far from a masterpiece and was frequently let down by crap camera. Boss battles were fairly rubbish too.
Agreed on the airship level,variety of weapons, dismemberment and werewolf points though but they were weighed down too much by the bad points for me to think about keeping the game at the time.

Agree NG1 is miles better for me and then stupid ninja dogs grrr

[DANGEROUS-3]

NG2 was far from a masterpiece and was frequently let down by crap camera. Boss battles were fairly rubbish too.
Agreed on the airship level,variety of weapons, dismemberment and werewolf points though but they were weighed down too much by the bad points for me to think about keeping the game at the time.

Couldn't complete it huh?
I beat it on normal, then a second time on hard (Path of the Warrior).
Freakin -AWESOME- game.