Official Ninja Gaiden Thread

[Prine]

Its out in a week, here's some impressions from the final version of the game

Gamespot - http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/...w_6089781.html

It may go without saying if you've seen previous screenshots or movies, but Ninja Gaiden is an absolutely beautiful game--perhaps one of the best-looking on the Xbox. Though the environments we've seen so far--including the canyon, ninja fortress, and a village--have been sparsely detailed, they've got an extremely cohesive design and a lot of subtle texture. The character models are also among the most solidly crafted we've seen in any game, and Ryu's animation is really a sight to behold when he's pulling off his high-flying ninja tricks.

We've just barely scratched the surface of Ninja Gaiden, and already the game has us pretty well floored. There seems to be a lot more to the game than what we've described here, as there are slots in the game's menu screen for new melee and projectile weapons (and already we've gotten a bow and arrow to replace our shurikens), as well as a "ninpo" section that contains new special, mystical attack techniques that you'll acquire. We're excited by what we've seen of this extremely stylish action game so far, and we'll bring you more on it very soon. Ninja Gaiden is scheduled for release on the Xbox in the first week of March.

1up - http://www.1up.com/article2/0,4364,1533684,00.asp

Some of the other areas we've seen early on include Ryu's hometown, an airship, and a city. Thus far, the amount of variety in both the level designs and the enemies has been superb. It continues to feel fresh in every area we go. Whether you wander around the city or fight it out on top of an zeppelin-style airship in a dramatic boss battle, everything looks gorgeous and little like anything previously seen in the game. If the game can keep up this level of variety, we'll be amazed.

If you're wondering, the scene with the horses is still incredible, with great collision detection. It's an amazing battle sequence that easily trumps the look and feel of a Dynasty Warriors game. There have been about six scenes of that caliber so far, and we can't wait to go experience the rest.

About the difficulty

The next boss was even worse. I had so much trouble defeating that I actually went back to a previous save point and ran back and forth in a hallway for an hour, killing bats for money so I could buy a bunch of health and weapon power-ups. Only then did I emerge successful -- just barely, mind you.

It's still difficult to get over just how great the controls are, just how intense the cut scenes can be, and just how well designed the levels look. In these ways, the game not only is at the top of its genre, but surpasses anything out there.

Oh -- and it's safe to say my fear that the game might be too short no longer exists. Partially because of the difficulty, but mostly because of great design, this isn't something you'll be finishing in a day.

For most of the game, the difficulty level is really not annoying at all. It makes you want to be an expert at the controls so you can take out all the enemies perfectly, and it truly feels like it's your fault when you die.

So, who's got this baby on pre-order? Could end up being the greatest 3D action adventure yet.

[Bleeders]

I have.

But I have no XBox to speak of at the moment. >_<

[Prine]

lol, why not? Left it round your brothers house?

[Geoff D]

I've preordered too - I'vw played a couple of action games recently that have been found wanting, so I'm really after something to restore my faith.

What I'm after is an action title in which you have to develop your skills in order to progress - I'm bored of games where you can combo if you want to, but button-mashing will get you through.

Fingers crossed

EDIT - there are some gameplay videos here - http://www.xbox-mag.net/article4929.html - I assume they're from the demo, but if you haven't played that (like me), they're quite useful

[taurusnipple]

Damnation! I wanted to be the creator of this thread next week! sob!

I did manage to get hold of the demo on Monday, completed it on my second attempt but I can't fault it really. The camera isn't too much of an issue, you can use your trigger to line it back up again. Long shot here, but I reckon when you complete the game, you get to play as that girl in the demo.

The anticipation for this game is nuts, I walked into Gamestop to buy the demo disc and they had sold out. Thankfully I went to the local bookstore and they had 3 copies tucked away in the back.

[Prine]

pics

[Bleeders]

lol, why not? Left it round your brothers house?

Close. He's taken ownership of it. But I've now bought a new XBox, so I won't be missing out after all.

[Chadruharazzeb]

Played the demo for the first time last night and I'm suitably impressed. One thing which struck me about it - and this is probably just an initial impression - is that there are just too many moves achieved by just tap tap tapping, and it felt rather like a random button basher than a "I'll try this move next" sort of game (DMC - ayyyyy!).

Then again, DOA was an uber-masher of a game so it wouldn't be too suprising.

[innovator]

I'm sceptical as whatever Tecmo come out with, someone else does it far, far better.

DOA - VF
DOA XBV - Beach Spikers
Rygar - DMC
Fatal Frame - Silent Hill

Likewise, I doubt Ninja Gaiden can top Bujingai or Shinobi. Team Ninja are like a Hollywood movie studio: huge budgets, in your face action and stunning visual effects. However they're also shallow, crap the second time through and very forgettable. I do want to play this though, if only for the graphics.

I don't care for those comments by the gaming press as it has taken them years to appreciate VF and games like F-Zero and Shinobi get slagged off for being too hard.

[JRMacumber]

After playing the demo my only complaint is that the camera is too tight in. I keep getting ninjas up my ass simple because I don't see them coming from that direction. A pulled back camera would help out with that. Other than that, though, I loved it. Very fast paced, very brutal.

[innovator]

What's the music like?

[JRMacumber]

Ya know, I didn't even notice. Or, if I did, it didn't stick with me. I was too wrapped up in keeping ninjas out of my ass.

[JRMacumber]

Oh, and did everyone see the Penny-Arcade comic for the demo?

[PeteJ]

No music in the demo, in fact the sound isn't all that hot at all. The voice acting is very poor, not that this is such an issue for the genre.

Tecmo are an improving company and I have faith that the final game can be a very special one. They've shown with the Fatal Frame series how close they are to becoming one of the top developers in the world, but at the same time they are still making some very basic mistakes.

From what I've played of NG, it does feel like quite a deep game. The way you can bounce around the walls and off peoples heads before taking them all out with a single combo is almost perfectly implimented. The essence super-moves are also done extremely well, and must rank up there as the most pleasing specials ever. I do have my fears about the final game, such as how it is possible to mash your way through the demo (if you use a certain weapon, at least), but this won't stop it from being fun, just as it doesn't stop Bujingai from being fun. Using the True Dragon Sword improves the demo no end, as you do need a certain amount of skill to get anywhere.

Anyway, I've ordered it and should be playing it in about a weeks time. Can't wait

[Prine]

OK first reviews up:

1up = 9/10

http://www.1up.com/article2/0,4364,1539244,00.asp

Even in the most basic of battles, the enemies are not "cheap" or mindless in any way. Instead, they challenge you by playing smart. They will react to your attacks and come after you in groups to keep you on your toes. Even against small teams of grunts, it's not a simple task to take out all of them without getting a scratch or two

If you've ever asked for the depth of a fighting game within the confines of an action/brawler, then look no further: this setup is the perfect fusion of the two. You get the depth of a game like Soul Calibur and the maneuverability of a platformer like Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time in one package.

Instead of giving you a user-controlled camera, Ninja Gaiden restricts you to looking around only while in first-person mode, as well as recentering the camera behind you with a button. This would be fine and dandy if the level designs let you see what you needed to see at all times, but instead the game makes matters more difficult than they have to be. In certain boss fights, it's often hard to see where the enemy is located because the camera chooses the stylish viewpoint rather than the most functional one. If things were more slowly paced, this wouldn't matter as much, since you could always step back, center the camera, and dive back in. But as it is, everything feels chaotic, and there are about ten scenes where you'll simply be unable to see what you need to.

With all of this going for the game, perhaps it wasn't entirely fair to discuss its camera issues at the top of this review. Maybe it would have been better saved for the end. It's just unfortunate, though, that the camera mars a game that is so brilliant and tops everything else in the action/beat 'em up genre in so many different ways. Ninja Gaiden is a landmark title that's better than anything similar you will find, but it also serves to remind players that even the best isn't necessarily perfect.

Gamespy = 5/5

http://www.gamespy.com/reviews/february04/ninjagaidenxbox/

Ninja Gaiden is simply the most polished and responsive action game we have seen so far this generation, and it's my belief it will likely remain so till the end. It fulfills the half-forgotten promise of the Xbox: to provide a gaming experience you can't get anywhere else.

And the gameplay backs that promise up, too; rarely have I felt so deeply engaged by an action game, no matter how much I'd been enjoying it. Castlevania had atmosphere, Rygar had level design, and Devil May Cry had cool. Only Ninja Gaiden has the whole package.

Finally, Itagaki has put his money where his mouth is: Ninja Gaiden is an astonishingly polished game with fantastic control, gorgeous graphics, and gameplay that wipes the floor with the rest of its genre. I'm given to skepticism, particularly so where Team Ninja is concerned -- previously I've viewed Itagaki as all talk, little substance. My mind has been changed. Team Ninja has found its calling -- the action game -- and while Ninja Gaiden isn't perfect, it's a full step beyond all of its competition. Game critics are often themselves criticized for being given to hype and hyperbole, but I assure you: Ninja Gaiden is the real deal

Gamespot = 9.4

IGN = 9.4

Yep, looking good so far