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| .............CONTENT
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Traversing small portions of a world, each lying within a section that is fashion on particular themes (beach, jungle, etc.), I-Ninja must seek advice from his blundering mentor about what objectives must be accomplished in each level. Completion of a level adds a coin towards a specified amount needed for I-Ninja to get a new belt, newer belts lead to better abilities and access to new levels. If the player happened to enjoy a particular level, they can go through and play it again, but under time trial constraints - replaying isn't necessary, but it is pretty challenging and it can also work towards getting better belts faster. Along the way, our little ninja will get better swords, throwing stars, and darts. Complementing his weapons is a grappling hook that he uses to not only swing across chasms, but to also use as a means of whip-lashing himself around corners in portions of levels that resemble Hot Wheels tracks. Not only is the big-headed guy packing plenty of weapons and gadgets, but he also gets plenty of foes to use them on. Surprisingly gross, much of the combat will result in bad guys being sliced in half and their heads severed off - but don't be worried for younger gamers, the gore is hard to notice and enemy blood is green. For those who want to see body parts flying, they'll have to take careful notice because the enemies love to attack in mobs. However, unlike other platformers, the mobs aren't constant waves, but planned out just right so that the player isn't overwhelmed and left feeling cheated by cheap A.I. and design. The pace of the enemies also speaks of the game's design as a whole. The developers took the time to not only put combat in the right proportions, but the level design as well. In fact, I enjoyed the levels so much, and their presentation that I kept getting a feeling of titles from yore, where the challenge the game inspired was good-natured and seamless. It's easy not to notice how clever the design is, and I wouldn't be surprised if many people simply dismissed the game after a level or two, but sticking with it reveals a fantastic design that's a blast to experience. What keeps the game enjoyable, and what will most likely upset some people, is that there is so much variety. Aside from the straightforward combat and exploration sections - which show off the ninja's ninja prowess by showing off his ability to run up walls and utilizing his ninja claws to scale walls - there are also sections that range from shooting incoming boats from a fixed turret to latching onto a ball and rolling around in sections that play out like an updated Marble Madness. Also, the ninja just doesn't seem to have Sonic's attitude, but, surprisingly, much of the game shares the general feel of a Sonic title; not only do the Hot Wheel track portions play out like a level from an older Genesis release, but there is also a general emphasis on speed throughout quite a bit of the levels. If similarities to Sonic and Marble Madness weren't enough, there is even a first-person boxing level - and it's pretty decent to boot! These various levels often play out with one aspect being emphasized, so right when one begins to wonder if they'll ever be able to jump around and slice up baddies again, all of what was gradually learned through individual levels will come together seamlessly in several fantastic levels. While each segmented level is fun on its own, it's when they're weaved together that the player really gets to enjoy some of the best in level design. The pacing system really works like a charm. Of course, being a ninja, I-Ninja is always doing a number of cool things, and it's these small touches that really give him his character. While jumping in-between walls, he shows cat-like agility, and whenever he slips, he slashes his claws wildly against surfaces until he regains his footing. Also, when going up a ledge, he will actually hold his pose - sometimes standing upside down on the strength of his two forefingers alone - and won't move until the player moves him themselves; this ability also holds actual real benefits as it makes traversing obstacles easier. In combat, he has a set of flashy combos with quick back stabs, fast and spin attacks, and the ability to glide using his sword. To show off just how super of a ninja he is, he'll go into frenzies that can make him rage, heal himself, ride a giant shuriken, or become invincible, all after an exaggerated howl and light show - speaking of which, there is also a nifty level where the ninja combats a foe while they're in the middle of a typical anime high-jump sequence. With all of this class and style, it's a shame his voice gets irritating after a few grunts. Despite the game being as good
as it is, there are a few problems. One of the bigger complaints is that, while
it's cool to see him perform exaggerated combos, the movements take so long that
they allow enemies great opportunities to attack; since the ninja can't take much
of a beating and there is no block (argh!), health regeneration goes form being
a luxury to a necessity. The variety can also seem a bit daunting at times, and
even though I enjoyed much of it, there were even moments when I was wondering
when I was going to get with the jumping and the killing. So, fans of pure action
and adventure be warned, while platforming is prevalent in the game, there is
still plenty of it that goes way off into left field.
Graphics: 8/10 Sound:
7.5/10 Control:
9/10 Overall:
8.5/10 [ top ] | |||
When
Master O-Dor and his army of Ranx threaten peace, there is really only one ninja
up to the job of taking them down. Sure, the JCVD (Jean-Claude for the unhip)
would do, and you wouldn't be completely off the mark by thinking that, but this
situation calls for a stealthier and more deadly warrior: I-Ninja. Super-deformed
and backed by the wisdom of the ages (re: the goofy Sensei), the little blue ninja
will be running up walls and lopping off heads with equal enthusiasm - and attitude.
In Argonaut and Namco's latest offering, I-Ninja offers up solid gameplay
with so much variety that the player won't know what they got into.
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