 As with the previous Ninja Gaiden games , Ryu 's physical strength is represented by a life meter on the top of the screen ; it decreases when Ryu gets his enemies or other dangerous objects . Throughout the levels , the player can find " Recovery Medicine " bottles that partially replenish Ryu 's physical strength ; as with all other items in the game , they are located in crystal balls that Ryu must slash to open . The player loses a " life " when Ryu 's life meter runs out , he falls into a pit , or if the timer runs out . The game ends when players lose all their lives , but they can continue and resume play at the beginning of the Act in which they have lost all their lives . However , in Ninja Gaiden III , players only get five continues total before being required to restart the game from the beginning . 
