1-Jun-2004 A struggle isn't something we're used to on CVG. Dealing is where we're comfortable. Like we dealt with Everything or Nothing, Manhunt, and some dealage going down with Hitman at the time of writing. Ninja Gaiden, though, is a big old struggle. It's as tough as it is amazing to look at - and we mean VERY.
Playing Ninja Gaiden you realise that games can look horny, appeal to the majority, and still pose a hell of a challenge. It always used to be this way before bigger publishers got scared of alienating weak people, and made almost everything manageable to one and all. But traditional CVG maths dictate that a stiff challenge usually equals tasty reward, and Gaiden is the finest example in too long a while.
A Man-Sized Challenge 'Hero' games have become so predictable you can almost play them on autopilot. They invariably look wonderful and throw some neat ideas at you but they also suck because you're deprived of a sense of accomplishment.
Gaiden gives you the pleasure of feeling at one with a versatile hero, with hours of practice needed to perfect a dazzling range of techniques. The game wants to defeat you, not the other way around. It smirks as you fail to deal effectively with a handful of modestly equipped ninjas, suggesting that if you can't handle these guys you'll be stuffed further along.
Real Ninja Smarts It's knock-back upon knock-back, until you're strong enough to face up to it. It's the kind of game that has you slamming the pad on the floor in frustration. Yet it gives you such a boost on overcoming every obstacle that you always pick that controller back up, hand trembling for another crack.
Ryu Hayabusa is a hero type we almost forgot how to love. He's a pain in the arse to handle early on, and you blame him for repeatedly handing the advantage to the enemy. He isn't ready made with the greatest moves on a plate - instead, you're forced to master the basics of movement and attack against foes who have the advantage in both respects.
Strangely for an action-adventure, this is vaguely similar to learning the ropes in a 3D beat 'em up. It's almost like the progression Final Fight made after Capcom's original Street Fighter - a one-on-one that became a one-versus-many in which nobody plays fair. Except in this case Ryu is developed from what we know from Dead or Alive.
Seriously, every bad guy you meet in Ninja Gaiden stands a good chance of claiming Ryu's life. Blow the dust of your hand-eye co-ordination, because you're going to need it from the very start.
Power And Instinct As the game progresses Ryu picks up new techniques, usually just as you need them most. Specific enemy types cause untold misery for most of a level, until just before or just after an encounter with a boss. Then Ryu will learn a crucial technique or weapon upgrade. After that it's like being granted a breath of fresh air as your newfound strength exposes the enemy's weakness. It's an opportunity to dominate, before facing the next challenge.
The turning point, where pain becomes pleasure, is when you realise environments are there to extend Ryu's combat potential. Your initial approach will be to square off with the enemy, trading blows, hoping your button-mashing will win out. Jump and attack is all you feel at home with.
Out of necessity though you'll discover how kicking off walls then slamming the ground with Ryu's sword takes down multiple foes, or how Ryu jumping off the shoulders of a foe inflicts damage. Each new technique compliments the others, giving freedom to experiment and win battles your own way.
You've 40-plus hours to test your mettle in Ninja Gaiden, but not all of it is survived with brawn plus blades. You're also expected to steer Ryu through some formidable obstacle-laden environments, forcing you to tighten up those wall-running skills and hone your positional sense to a competitive level. You'll be relying on this to get you through the game, first and foremost, but also to prove you're the ninja master when Microsoft opens up its online tournaments in the Summer on Xbox Live.
Village Fate Obstacle navigation can annoy you early on too. But it's not too long before you really enjoy running up surfaces to somersault or grab onto ledges, or switching between walls to gain height. An hour will find you slowly, awkwardly finding your way. A few hours more and you'll be hurtling around, capitalising on your speed of thought and dexterity of fingers. It's a total joy.
As we mentioned earlier, the better your ninja agility, the more effectiveness you are as a warrior. The pressure is constant to find the most efficient routes and swiftest methods to dispatch opponents. It can feel horribly oppressive, but the deal is that only by fighting with everything you've got will you overcome your uncertainties and rusty reflexes to become Ryu Hayabusa, and get a real sense of victory. You'll swear this or that boss is impossible, and dread certain areas between Ryu and the next save point, but it's all worth it in the end, we promise.
We'll mention one criticism that many people seem to have of Ninja Gaiden, which is that the learning curve is kind of wobbly. Although the game tries hard to add layers of intensity and the means to deal with it as the hours peel away, sometimes you encounter pockets of absolute nightmarish difficulty among comparatively less challenging areas. The city of Vigoor, in which Ninjas with exploding shuriken occasionally ambush Ryu is an example of this.
However, this is a minor issue in our opinion and we think you'll relish the depth and scale of this truly epic quest as much as us.
There are so many secrets hidden around the huge worlds of Ninja Gaiden. The first time you fly through a level you'll miss most of them! The more confident you become, the more you realise how versatile Ryu can be, and you'll notice shortcuts and secret hidey-holes. Early in the game you're taught how to look for clues, but you should train your eyes for when you're left to manage alone.
Okay, so this chest was easy to find, but there are others that are hard to reach containing cool stuff
If you touch the Xbox icon it instantly restores Ryu to full health. Plus you’ll need this super shuriken
Follow the blue markings, that’s the general rule. Clambering around teaches you cool new tricks
// Get It On With Gaiden
With its vicious AI, huge range of moves, and levels that require some lateral thinking to fully exploit, you'll need your wits about you to survive Ninja Gaiden. In fact it puts us in mind of a very hardcore take on the classic Legend of Zelda series, with very specific ways to get the better of foes and access their hidden treasures.
Use the walls to bound higher and reach secret areas for more power-ups and helpful items
Switch between weapons to deal the most appropriate damage. Nunchakus are great up close
Hop off the shoulders of one guy to stagger him, then launch yourself into the air for another attack
Fire arrows at distant foes to keep them out of your face as you progress through the level
// The Boss-Most Ever
Just when you think you're flying, everything under control, you're presented with a boss challenge to hurt your pride. Boss battles in Ninja Gaiden are a real wake-up call for the casual player. There's no easy way to beat 'em - the only way you'll defeat them is to learn their patterns and find the exact way to counter their every move. Good luck!
Word of advice: you must upgrade your sword before facing this guy, unless you’ve got a death wish
Despite being only the second boss in the game, this mounted Samurai is such a cheating sleazebag!
First immovable object is a nunchaku master who, it turns out, only wants to help you become stronger
// Ninja Know-How
Ryu learns techniques from ancient scrolls. His Izuna Drop and Neck Throw are joined by charge moves with the sword, and swift multiple strikes that make light work of many foes. You'll find it strange that blocking attacks in order to counter them becomes an essential part of the routine, but the tension within skirmishes is improved because of this.
Likewise, if enemies insist on holding hands, you can take them out with one almighty dashing attack
If enemies are lined up, you can knock them into each other to clear a way through
Amazing ninpo magic frazzles anything within range to a crisp. Take good aim though
Counter strikes launch enemies into the air, smashing them against the nearest wall
// Shuriken Boy's Shopping Spree
A wealth of magical items enhance Ryu's strength and capacity for magic. You'll find chests with life-giving elixirs, or potions good for fuelling one ninpo attack. Golden orbs are also exchanged for weapon upgrades or more plentiful supplies of items.
Oh, the relief! When you’re stocked up on items you’re ready to rock, dude
Don’t forget to level-up your weapons, it isn’t just a nice thing it’s a necessary thing!
Out in the field you should keep a look out for these statues, a kind of mini-mart
The old guy has a massive stock of ninja goodies to sell, providing you have the orbs to trade
// You're Dead, Ninja Boy!
Not one single enemy in the entire game is a total pushover. Even the lowliest of foes can surprise you with a nasty move you haven't seen before. You will have played lots of games in which the bad guys, apart from the main characters, are pretty much just fodder for you to experiment with. In Ninja Gaiden it feels like you're the one being toyed with, and your nerve is tested to the max at all times.
Usually the thickest guys around in videogames, these foot soldiers sneak up and slit yer throat! Gak!
These ninjas carry exploding shuriken which stick to you and cause huge damage! Gaaargh!
Guys on horseback split up and canter around this arena in both directions, just to piss you off
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