Date: 2008-11-02 11:52:02 Created: null
For Xbox
This thing has replayability, in a fighting game kind of way. I can replay a section without getting bored, becuse combat is about skill, not learning patterns. Actually, this could become the first fighting-kind of game that I get any good at. Don't know what to consider myself yet, but at least I'm learning some useful moves.
And I do replay sections. Ninja Gaiden is hard, oh yes indeed. Ninja Gaiden hard. You die. We die. Our friends die. Or something. But you'll be back for more. It never feels unfair. Rock harder and faster than those enemies, and you'll win. Be too slow, too repetitive, and you'll die. Simple as that.
And I expect there to be a double-jump for some reason. Did the latest Prince of Persia have it or something? I'm not sure, but at first it felt like Ryu should have it too ...
Great game - not so great camera. You have to center it behind Ryu yourself quite often to not get confused. I would say it's a really bad camera if it wasn't for the fact that once I start playing I seem to forget all about it. I have to deal with it to play well, sure, but it seems to get into the background and work once I get into things. Part of the game. So, I guess it works after all. Somehow. Still, it could do better.
Oh, and you really can't pay this game to relax. That comes with the difficulty level. You have to stay sharp, and once you put down the controller you have to breath a while before being relaxed enough for bed. It simply gets your adrenaline going. I wonder if I'll be able to breeze through levels with one hand on a cold beverage and my eyes half closed at some point in the future.
I doubt it, really. Ninja Gaiden is a full-attention game.
Should that change I've always got higher difficulty levels to turn to ...
(Oh yeah, the initial difficulties to choose from are "normal" and "hard". People who need easy levels need not apply, I guess ...)
July 30th, 2004
Looks like there'll be a rather massive update to the game coming sometime in the autumn. New weapons, new enemies, better enemy AI, a freer and smarter camera. Oh, and they made it faster and harder as well ... I hope beginners can still access the unmodified game even after getting the download, otherwise a lot of people are going to be a lot more frustrated than necessary ...
August 18th, 2004
Time to come back and think a bit more about this game. How much more do you really die than in other games? Isn't it just that many other action games I've played during the past few years had quicksaves and stuff which meant you just didn't notice dying as much? I'm not sure, but the thought has come up.
One thing's for sure though; the game still rocks and I enjoy almost every second of playing it. Repeatedly restarting from a save point, going down a short lift and getting your ass kicked by a swarm of huge larvae or something remains fun all the way through.
Almost there, just need to do a little better ... Maybe try another weapon for a change? Maybe I shouldn't stick too much to the sword all the time.
...
Vigooran flail, wohooo! Hit combos!
That's the way it goes. And then I advance one more section, eager to take on whatever's there, which happens to be one darn large, electric worm of some kind. Think that intimidates a ninja? Come get some! Okay, so you beat me this time. You won't be so lucky this time! Well, your luck can't hold forever! Hey, stop eating me like that!
And so it continues. If you think this sounds even remotely annoying, try playing Stuntman. There you "die" in five seconds, and have to wait for 20 before you get to try again. This is just fair play.
August 20th, 2004
The update, called Hurricane Pack 1, is out. And no worries for beginners, because you have to go through the Master Ninja Tournament menu to play it, so the original game is unmodified. I haven't really played it, just started a game, but they say that once you save you'll be able to load a HP1-altered game and go on playing just as normal.
I'd also like to point out that I've made some great advancements since the 18th. Now I'm learning to deal with two darn large, electric worms of some kind. I'm getting there, Ninja Gaiden's inside my head ...
April 16th, 2005
It's been a long, difficult journey, but now it's starting to come to an end. Slash by slash by slash by slash by ... I've beaten hordes of demons, I've had undead fish stuck all over my body, I've found an armlet that heals me (really, I think the major benefit is the psychological one), I've beaten the devil. I've come so far in such a long time, and now I'm finally up against
... something. Or other.
How bad can it be?
You talk tough, but it's not like I've never killed the dead before. Soon you'll be in for it, too! Just like that silly devil-guy who thought he was such a badass.
Maybe an hour later
Ha! Did it!
When was the last time I felt this satisfied finishing a game?
...
But of course! Stats!
And, I can play on Very Hard anytime I like. Talk about attractive ...