Hello again, once again I have fired up my computer to review another game.  A game for the Playstation 2.  A system in which some pretty beautiful graphics can be created if the developer would like to spend a little extra time on the game.  But whoever created Shinobi and it's pseudo-sequel Nightshade obviously only had enough time to squeeze in the added effort to make the scarf in Shinobi and the pony-tail type things hanging off your head in Nightshade really look cool.  Because once again, I found myself running around in circles just to make cool air designs.

But besides the under-developed graphics, this game is also lacking one other thing.  Real true fun.  Sure, it's a pretty decent ride the first time through, and there are unlockable secrets, but is the game really worth going all the way back through to unlock some extra costumes and characters?  My opinion is...maybe.  You see, the first couple of levels are pretty enjoyable.  First you start out on the top of a stealth jet that's flying through the conjested streets of the city.  You must fight the enemies that are dropped on top with you and also fight the two jets that are accompanying the one you're on.  Then you are taken to the rooftops of the tallest buildings in the city for another pretty fun level.  But after the next couple levels, everything kinda goes to pot.

And the main thing I'm getting sick and tired of in games like these is the freaking level design in the later levels.  Mutated levels full of stupid platforms and monsters on all sides of you to screw with your camera.  Why do these people feel these kind of levels are necessary?  Especially when they can't put better graphics in the levels to spice things up.  If the level design and environment graphics were touched up even a little bit, this game would be a little better.  But graphics don't make the levels any more fun.  Some of the later levels don't even make sense.  And along with the difficulty curve, most of them will just frustrate you beyond insanity.  And this game doesn't even scratch the surface of Shinobi's difficulty, which is one of it's key positive points.  Because this game really is difficult, for the computer.  Sure, it can't fall off the edge 800 times in a row because for some reason it wasn't responding to me smashing the freaking buttons to avoid certain peril.  And as annoying as some of the enemies are, they are nothing compared to the destroyed bridge level.  Where I found myself falling down into the river more times than I thought I would stand.  But the game remains on a constant aggrivating level throughout, until the final boss, which just comes from left field to kick you in the face with a bevvy of attacks that leave you trying to think of why the developers made this guy so freakin' hard.  I mean, sure, the other bosses were kinda difficult, but they had a pattern, and once you figured out what that pattern was, they were cake to beat.  In fact, not once did I die during a boss fight, up until the last one that is.  He has no solid pattern and his attacks are ridiculously unfair.

But anyway, if you liked Shinobi, you'll enjoy this game.  If you didn't enjoy Shinobi because of the difficulty, you'll enjoy this game because it's pretty much the same game with a different main character and it's a helluva lot easier, mainly due to the fact that you don't have a weapon that's draining your life meter the hole time.  Which is quite a relief.  It's only twenty bucks, so it's not too bad a purchase, but I'd highly recommend renting before buying.  Trust me, I'm kind of an expert...

Graphics-3

Sound-2

Control-3

Overall-3
Hello again, once again I have fired up my computer to review another game. A game for the Playstation 2. A system in which some pretty beautiful graphics can be created if the developer would like to spend a little extra time on the game. But whoever created Shinobi and it's pseudo-sequel Nightshade obviously only had enough time to squeeze in the added effort to make the scarf in Shinobi and the pony-tail type things hanging off your head in Nightshade really look cool. Because once again, I found myself running around in circles just to make cool air designs. But besides the under-developed graphics, this game is also lacking one other thing. Real true fun. Sure, it's a pretty decent ride the first time through, and there are unlockable secrets, but is the game really worth going all the way back through to unlock some extra costumes and characters? My opinion is... maybe. You see, the first couple of levels are pretty enjoyable. First you start out on the top of a stealth jet that's flying through the conjested streets of the city. You must fight the enemies that are dropped on top with you and also fight the two jets that are accompanying the one you're on. Then you are taken to the rooftops of the tallest buildings in the city for another pretty fun level. But after the next couple levels, everything kinda goes to pot. And the main thing I'm getting sick and tired of in games like these is the freaking level design in the later levels. Mutated levels full of stupid platforms and monsters on all sides of you to screw with your camera. Why do these people feel these kind of levels are necessary? Especially when they can't put better graphics in the levels to spice things up. If the level design and environment graphics were touched up even a little bit, this game would be a little better. But graphics don't make the levels any more fun. Some of the later levels don't even make sense. And along with the difficulty curve, most of them will just frustrate you beyond insanity. And this game doesn't even scratch the surface of Shinobi's difficulty, which is one of it's key positive points. Because this game really is difficult, for the computer. Sure, it can't fall off the edge 800 times in a row because for some reason it wasn't responding to me smashing the freaking buttons to avoid certain peril. And as annoying as some of the enemies are, they are nothing compared to the destroyed bridge level. Where I found myself falling down into the river more times than I thought I would stand. But the game remains on a constant aggrivating level throughout, until the final boss, which just comes from left field to kick you in the face with a bevvy of attacks that leave you trying to think of why the developers made this guy so freakin' hard. I mean, sure, the other bosses were kinda difficult, but they had a pattern, and once you figured out what that pattern was, they were cake to beat. In fact, not once did I die during a boss fight, up until the last one that is. He has no solid pattern and his attacks are ridiculously unfair. But anyway, if you liked Shinobi, you'll enjoy this game. If you didn't enjoy Shinobi because of the difficulty, you'll enjoy this game because it's pretty much the same game with a different main character and it's a helluva lot easier, mainly due to the fact that you don't have a weapon that's draining your life meter the hole time. Which is quite a relief. It's only twenty bucks, so it's not too bad a purchase, but I'd highly recommend renting before buying. Trust me, I'm kind of an expert... Graphics-3

Sound-2

Control-3

Overall-3