The website for From Software’s upcoming XBOX 360 game Ninja Blade is chockfull of me-likey.
"The seamless gamplay keeps you tense. You feel like as if you are a hero in an action movie. The game is set in Tokyo and provides you with thrills and exhilaration. Ninja Blade is a New Generation Action Game!"
Cynics be warned: Ninja Blade is cheesier than state fair nachos, but in fairness, would you have your ninja action any other way?
After playing the demo available on XBOX Live Japan, Ninja Blade is officially on my honorable bargain-bin purchase list.
The game is being described by it’s developers as a “cinematic action” game, which is a fancy way of saying “over half of our game is made up of quick-time event (QTE) cut scenes.” This is apparent at the very start of the demo, so if you plan on playing this, make sure to grab some of that popcorn left over Metal Gear Solid 4.
QTEs are considered passé by many these days (although many will LOVE QTE-fest Heavy Rain) but I don’t mind them if done right, and boy oh’ boy, Ninja Blade’s are done right and then some. They are so over-the-top awesome that you won’t mind not controlling every jump or swipe of the katana. From Software collaborated with anime powerhouse Production I.G. to insure that the action set pieces are just as thrilling as anything you’ve seen on TV or in the movies.
Ninja Blade has the “cinematic” down, but how does it actually play? The controls can be off-putting to those familiar with Ninja Gaiden’s tight, expertly crafted cat-and-mouse style combat. What you’ll find on this very short demo is much slower, and ultimately, more shallow combat system that favors flashy particle effects and slow-motion over counter-attacks and 100 hit combos.
This is not to say that the gameplay is without its charms. The right-trigger assigned "dash" is a handy tool that revs up speed of movement AND beefs up regular attacks. Ninja Blade's main gameplay hook is "Ninja-Vision", a feature that when activated slows down time plus reveals your enemies weak spots. Not only does this look incredibly cool when used, but also is crucial to your success in battle against the games bigger, badder baddies.
Speaking of big baddies, the final boss fight is a blast. This multi-tier showdown between you and a stadium-sized arachnoid perfectly blends together real time and QTE action with a just a splash of “Ninja-Vision” enhanced platforming thrown in the mix. The crazy part is that you only play half the boss battle: I can only imagine how outlandish things will get during the second half.
Ninja Blade is out now in Asia and although a solid date for the States hasn’t been confirmed, a spring release looks to be a sure thing. It’s hard telling if this title will find an audience, but I ,for one, am excited to get my hands on the final product. Will this “New Generation Action Game” live up to the lofty standards of diehard Ninja Gaiden fans? I don’t know, but I do know this, Ryu Hayabusa doesn’t have a motorcycle.
In your face Itakagi!
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