adventure

I have mixed feelings about this game. On one hand, Ninja Gaiden is one of the best action games ever made--for any console. The fighting system is extremely well designed with numerous combos which when learned, set Ninja Gaiden far apart from the pack. (The game deserves its "M" rating with plenty of blood, decapitation, not to mention occult elements.) The graphics are incredible and define "next generation." They really show off the Xbox graphics power with high production values such as beautifully mapped indoor and outdoor environments, a smooth frame rate and superbly rendered character models.

On the other hand the game is very hard to play, even on its "Normal" setting so I wouldn't recommend it for causal gamers. And then there is the much talked about camera/viewing system, which is poorly implemented. It's not big problem till you get to the boss fights, which can lead to a lot of cheap deaths. Enough time has passed for developers to get this right and it's an aggravating issue to deal with.

So for a potentially great game, marred by a faulty camera and an over the top difficulty, I give it three out of five stars.

Bungie studios, who also put out Halo and soon Halo 2, seems to know what makes a great game. I'm 24 years old and like games that are not too easy, but also games that are not too frustrating or impossible to beat. This game, like Halo, is somewhere in between. The cut scene movies are dramatic and entertaining and the graphics appear to be just as good as Halo's. There are two save points in each level and you can return to them at any time to save your game. There is usually one at the start of the level and another right before the entrance way leading to a boss. On some levels, there is only one save point, and it's a good idea to return to it frequently, especially after you have just beaten a difficult enemy or picked up something valuable. Sometimes this requires back tracking a ways, but it's worth it rather than to get killed and have to fight off those enemies or find the valuable item again. As the game progresses, your ninja will obtain technique scrolls teaching him new moves as well as more magic. I've noticed as you learn more techniques, the fights you have with enemies is awesome and you have a greater selection of moves to choose from. Unlike classic Street Fighter II (in which I could never master some of the moves), the moves in this game usually involve pressing the thumbstick in one direction and pressing a button while in combat, or jumping and pressing a button. You only have the option of choosing the NORMAL or HARD setting. Normal is difficult enough and takes me an average of three attempts to beat a boss. This doesn't include the attempts made during the level to get to a boss. On my way there I usually have to start over at least once from the last time I saved. At the end of each level your play time for that level is displayed and you'll notice that it increases as you progress in the game. I went from 13 minutes on the first level to 58 minutes on level 3. The enemies obviously get more difficult as usual and eventually obtain guns. Everytime you get shot you are stunned for a split second and when they keep firing it's difficult to get out of the way. Fortunately, you can block the bullets with your sword which helps. There are also items to increase your life which you find throughout each level. There aren't so many that it's too easy to keep your life full and there are just enough to where it is easy to succeed if you ration them and save them for the right time. This is a great game for new gamers as well as those from the Atari generation.

I'll make this brief, since the game came out a year ago, and no one needs a review at this point. I just want one thing clear; THE BAD REVIEWS ARE WRITTEN BY PEOPLE THAT COULDN'T GET PAST THE FIRST LEVEL. Honestly, people, the game isn't hard. Those reviews cover only aspects of the first level, so anyone can guess that they never beat it. This game is nearly flawless from head to toe, and now it's finally dropped its price. I still find myself replaying it (All 20+ hours of it) over, despite Halo 2 sitting on my shelf. Alright, I'm done.