advantages
- Spectacular hack and slash action
- A more approachable Ninja Gaiden
- Fun co-op mode
disadvantage
- Not enough challenge or variety
- Button mashing battle
- Nonsensical story
Available for Xbox 360, PS3 (verified)
You used to know where you were with Ninja Gaiden. A crazy ninja-style hack-and-slash epic awaits you in Ninja Gaiden and Ninja Gaiden 2, with some acrobatic platforms, copious amounts of blood splattering everywhere, a slightly incoherent storyline, some vicious bosses and – vitally – one of the most challenging combat systems ever seen in a mainstream action game.
Ninja Gaiden was happy to humiliate his fans. Casual gamers found the initial Ninja Gaiden virtually impossible, and while the Sigma update for PS3 introduced a somewhat ‘easy’ mode, it only did so after telling you exactly how pathetic you found it. On the one hand, the level of difficulty has put many players off, on the other hand, it’s what the fan base is now expecting.
For them, Ninja Gaiden 3 will be a terrible disappointment. With their infamous leader, Tomonobu Itagaki, the series developer, Team Ninja made a firm decision to expand the appeal. The result is a game with simplified combat mechanics, a weapon set containing only swords and throwing knives (not the sickles, scythes, shuriken, claws, and tonfa sticks of previous outings), and a whole load of quick-time events. If the old-school Ninja Gaiden was all about precision, timing, and expert blocking and dodging before unleashing a vicious attack, then the new Ninja Gaiden is, frankly, a bit of a button press.
Since most encounters involve swarms of enemies attacking from all sides, and auto-aim that doesn’t leave much room for real strategy, the biggest decision you’ll have to make most of the time is whether to hit your enemy with the triangle button (or Y) or the square button (or X).
If you’re not an existing fan, this isn’t as much of a disaster as the series’ hardcore fans would have you believe. Combat in Ninja Gaiden 3 still has a comfortable rhythm, and while you rarely feel like you’re in full control, the bloodletting is nothing if not spectacular. While Ninja Gaiden II’s limb slamming and decapitation seem to have been cut down, there’s still some mind-boggling kill-bill-style hack-and-slashery, and when you throw in dash moves and jumps, then there’s something fairly satisfying to send the ninja hero Ryu Hayabusa on his deadly deals.
And if you just want an exciting ride, then Ninja Gaiden 3
has its moments. The boss fights a massive spider tank, a wriggling,
mask-wielding madman, an attack helicopter and a giant cyber dinosaur
well directed and entertaining, and it’s possible to forgive an over-reliance on it
Quick-time events when the on-screen effects are that horrifying or impressive. the
Graphics have their downsides as many characters are under an outdated,
Plastic in appearance, but the rich scenery and scope of the spectacle more than make up for it
high. As much as die-hard Ninja Gaiden fans might not want to hear, Ninja Gaiden 3
can be a fun game – as long as you’re willing to enjoy it in miniature
cans.
You see, the problem is that there aren’t very many
variety here. The lack of alternative weapons doesn’t help, and neither does it
Fact that the number of Ryu’s special attacks was reduced to two: one big
Dragon attack that cleans and heals the area and one that sees you cocking
some high damage attacks together for a limited time. There isn’t enough
different types of enemies that require different types of strategies, and if more
difficult enemies appear, like the creepy robed wizards and gunman
Mutants that appear mid-game are more annoying than
actually challenging.
In the end Ninja Gaiden 3 is a bit of a one trick pony and
The only sure way it knows how to make things harder is to overwhelm you with it
Masses of enemies, some of which are equipped with ranged weapons or increase their toughness
Enemies to give them a greater chance to wear you down. The combat system is one
Problem, but what’s really holding Ninja Gaiden 3 back is that after God of War and
Bayonetta, it just isn’t inventive enough. Team Ninja really should have done it
also something about the vocal samples during the fight. As soon as you “Get
ready for the main course”, “Goddamn that Ninja” and some other variations
a thousand times, it’s really starting to get on my nerves.
The plot, meanwhile, is the worst of all Ninja Gaiden
nonetheless – a challenge if that of the second game was so incoherent that you ended
just trying to ignore the plot. It’s obviously meant to explore the darkness
side of the ninja lifestyle and what it means to be a guy who kills
20 people before breakfast, but it’s terribly clumsy and uninteresting with numerous
stupid twists and actors like a little wordless orphan who you will fight with
don’t care about anything.
If you enjoy the game, you might be able to squeeze out a little more lives
bolstered by a decent co-op challenge mode that balances some cameras
Issues with some cruel ninja laughs. PS3 owners also get Move support,
However, as it is difficult to set up and impractical in practice, it is
questionable whether this is an advantage at all.
verdict
Ninja Gaiden 3 is doing its best to reach a wider audience
alienate the existing fans of the series and prove too repetitive and
frustrating to acquire many new ones. It
is more accessible and there’s enough hack-and-slash extravaganza to keep you entertained
bite-sized chunks, but the latest Ninja Gaiden is far from the best.