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(More customer reviews)Team Ninja has made what has been one of the best games on the XBox even better. As impossible as that sounds, it's true. But, if you've never played Ninja Gaiden before, this may not be the game for you. It CAN be frustrating. I just beat Ninja Gaiden Black on the Hard level and let me tell you, it was aggravating but oh so sweet to have beat it on hard.
If you've played the original Ninja Gaiden for XBox, this includes the Hurricane Packs plus a new mission mode that is tough as nails! However, gone are the three NES games. They have been replaced with the original arcade version of Ninja Gaiden, so if you want to keep playing the 3 NES games, you'd better hold onto your original copy of Ninja Gaiden. Still, for the reduced price NJB comes at, it's worth having both!
Ninja Gaiden is NOT a game for everyone. If you are easily frustrated by games that dump loads of enemies on you that are tough to defeat, I suggest you look elsewhere. But, if you enjoy challenges with some of the most awesome boss characters ever to grace your TV screen, fast and furious action, and an arsenal of weapons that would make any ninja shed a tear of joy, then it's time to get your ninja skills in check and play NJB.
First off, the graphics - 5/5
The animation is top notch. I have never seen characters move so fluidly like they do in Ninja Gaiden. Ryu and the enemies move almost so realistically, it's scary. Ryu's ninja suite even has fabric that sways as you walk and moves with the wind. This hasn't changed since the previous version but it's STILL excellent. There is not a single frame rate studder in here, and when you see the huge dino-skeleton boss, you won't believe that they were able to pull this off with no frame rate slow down.
Sound - 5/5
Breathtaking! The music, the sound FX, everything just sets the mood in this game. What else can be said? You HAVE to have a 5.1 system which pumps out the bass with this game. My wife has told me to turn it down a notch or two sometimes.
Storyline - 5/5
Pretty intriguing. The FMVs are awesome. Team Ninja (like in DoA) has done an excellent job with the FMVs on this one as well. They blend in well with the gameplay and really add to the story. Team Ninja has also added new cut scenes that help flesh out the story even more and now you know who kept throwing those information stars at you throughout the game! For the original game, I rated this a 4 out 5. Due to the new cut scenes, I've upped it to 5 out of 5!
Gameplay - 5/5
For me, the gameplay is excellent. For others, it's going to be a sticking point. Believe me, this game is HARD! Not hard, but HARD as in SICK!!! And that's on the normal level! But, to let you know, this is not a button masher. I think that's where the problem resides for some people. People expect to just mash buttons and eventually win. No, you have to learn all the different moves that can be applied to a particular weapon and when to use those moves. The nunchucks are awesome, but the flail weapon (nunchucks with blades) is nasty, especially when you can get a 25+ hit combo going with it. I've even gotten up to 100 hits with it against an arsenal of demons. Again, it's learning each of the weapons strengths and weaknesses and when to use them that will help you progress in this game. The addition of the Hurricane Packs that were previously downloadable for the original NG, gives you one of the most ultimate weapons - the Lunar Staff. This thing is sick. The combos it can release are fast and far reaching. Get the Hurricane move going and Ryu is invincibile! Also added are Smoke Bombs. Drop one of these in the midst of a bunch of enemies and blind them temporarily so you can unleash a nasty combo attack and watch the body parts fly!
When an enemy is defeated, it will give off one of three "essence" globes:
- yellow for experience and money (you use these to upgrade weapons and purchase items)
- blue for healing
- red for ninpo (magic)
But, instead of just picking these up immediately, hold down on your massive attack button to absorb the essence floating around and watch the blade fly as Ryu goes into overdrive and hacks and slashes for you. Depending on the amount of essence you've picked up, it can result in some major damage to the enemy and then it releases even BIGGER amounts of essence, resulting in more "money". This allows you to buy things to such as weapons, healing potions, and items to expand your life bar as well as your ninpo magic levels. Underneath all of this is an RPG-type system. But, rather than increasing stats such as strength, charisma, etc, you increase your health and ninpo bar (HP and Magic points for you role playing hounds), and upgrade the strength of your weapons, which unlocks more combos and special moves. It's a wonderful twist on the RPG model that makes for an awesome game and upgrade system that doesn't seemed "forced" or old.
Enemies are abundant in supply and each chapter brings in a new set of enemies, much harder than the ones before. Demons, soldiers, mummies, bats, it's got it all in this game.But, that's not all. Many of the boss characters have been beefed up with harder skills to defeat as well as minions to help out. You thought Alma was tough in the first round? You haven't seen anything yet!
Other Extras - 5/5
Well, Tema Ninja has outdone themselves once again. This time around, you can unlock the original Ninja Gaiden arcade game. Also, costumes for Ryu can be unlocked and now there are 50 new missions to battle through along with the story-line mode.
After completing the game, you can upload your Karma scores to compare with other players from around the world. Think your NG skills don't stink? Upload them and make sure!
If you have a completed game from the previous version of NG, you will automatically unlock the Hard mode so you don't have to play through the Normal mode. But, I must warn you. I've played this level and it was unreal at times, especially Alma. I hate to think what Ultimate Ninja mode is like, if I ever get to that point! OUCH!
If you die enough times, you can unlock the Ninja Dog level. But, do you really want to be classified as a wimp? Ayane will really dig into you, basically stating she over estimated your skills, and if you really need it, she'll hold your hand for you. Plus, you'll have to walk around with a pink ribbon on your arm. Are you sure you want to do that?
On Ninja Dog mode, the enemey's skill don't decrease, but they will not have as much health as on normal mode, and you will find more health items lying around to help you. It's your choice - Ninja Dog or Master Ninja. Choose your destiny!
This is THE premiere fighting/adventure/ninja game out there. If you want to show off how well an Xbox game can still look and sound in the pre-dawn era of the next-gen consoles, this is the game to do it with.
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Ninja Gaiden BlackProduct Description: Ninja Gaiden: Black brings back the commercial and critically acclaimed cut and slash action game. Its unique and innovative game play, killer story and mind-blowing graphics help you experience the life of Ryu Hayabusa, ninja master. Boasting new difficulty levels and a massive number of new action-packed missions to complete, and colossal amounts of special bonus features including content from both Hurricane Packs 1&2, the new Ninja Gaiden: BLACK is the must have game for all action lovers from casual to hardcore.Hidden unlockables including the original arcade version of Ninja Gaiden,Ninja Ryukenden, available for the first time on a video game console
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