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Shinobi, The Classic Super Ninja is Back!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 21
Date: October 02, 2002
Author: Amazon User

If your a hard core gamer, you have probably played the Sega game Shinobi. Now 8 years later, Sega is putting out that game for PS2 that couldn't be cooler. In this game, you will play as Hotsuma, a lightning fast ninja swords man, who must protect modern day Japan from evil Demon ninjas . This kick ... ninja can slice through enermys with his katana (sword), run up and across walls like the Matrics, and use ninjyutsu (ninja magic) to obliterate any enemy in his path. This will be an extremely high-speed combat game with very challanging enemys, such as thirty foot tall demons, demons that can turn invisible and even military tanks. This game is going to be a very hard, very bloody, and very intence. If you don't like those kinds of games, don't get it. If you do, this will be one of your favorite games!

WHY SEGA WILL REIGN AGAIN

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 6
Date: November 15, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Wow. That's my first impression of this game. I've only had it for a few hours, but wow. This game is everything I thought it would be and more. It's not complicated, it's not confusing; it's direct, poignant, and very nicely done.

I never played the other shinobi installments, but this one is absolutely bewildering. Imagine taking the sword slashing from Strider, adding shuriken from the classic shinobi installments, creating a 3d gaming experience, and turning the speed of gameplay up about 10x or so. Those, in essence, are the ingredients to this wonderful game. The game is deeper than this, but it is nothing if not straightforward. The controls are a breeze (as with most Sega games) and pace of the game is fast and furious. This game, save it's great graphics and 3d third person layout, revives the gameplay that any oldschool genesis or nintendo gamer has been deprived of for so long.

The greatest flaw to this game is the music; it's really not very good at all. But you can always turn it off and play something else on the stereo in the background (Just like you may have done with all those old Nintendo and Genesis games). The voice acting is pretty good and the cinematics, though unbelievable, are awesome. That aside, being able to dash around and slice 5 enemies who fall apart after the fight in a gory, bloody mess is absolute fun, especially after a long day at work. If you're a fan of oldschool gameplay, give this game a try, you'll love it til it hurts.

What the heck!

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 0 / 2
Date: November 16, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Okay? I see a lot of great reviews for this game. Maybe it's just me or maybe there is too much hype around this game. I just bought this game and the first thing I noticed is the lame graphics! then I noticed that the scenery is repetitive. Plus people say how shinobi looks cool???? I for one can't find any reason to consider this game worth while. And please don't compare it to Devil May Cry cause it is nowhere in it's league in graphics, gameplay or fighting mechanics. Hell there isn't even a similarity except for the fact that they are exclusive for PS2. This game really blows! It is so apprarent they just put this game together quickly slapped Shinobi on it and put it on the shelf to sell on name recognition alone. Let me tell you on it's merits alone in gameplay it's falls way short! The only thing I found worth while about this game is the CG cuts and that's it! Please rent and do not buy...I'm telling you now or you'll really regret it. Trust me!

I wanna be a ninja!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: November 17, 2002
Author: Amazon User

See, I just dont see the point in writing reviews of products before they come out. Can someone explain that to me? How to you know that this is gonna "rock" or "rule" or anything of the sort? Well, I know...I own it and have played it extensivley since it was released on the 13th of november. I like this game...quite a bit actually. While the first level seems a bit slow, it is all a set up to get you familiar with the controls and the system of movement. This game is a visual masterpiece.
With an impressive frame rate, and a blindingly fast character, prepare to be amazed.
Gameplay is just as frenzied, fast, and furious as the visual presentation. The levels are quite large, and in later levels can get quite complex and difficult to traverse. The story is engaging as well, and the voice acting is pretty well done too. This game is not one for the casual weekend gamer. Shinobi will require you to invest some time in it...most evidently in the later levels. With your sword hungry for blood, you need to keep eliminating enemies in order to keep it satiated, if not- it will turn on you and start to deplete your energy. So you need to find a balance between fighting the enemies and just rushing past them to the end of the level.
I read a review of this game in a popular playstation magazine, and was startled that it got less than glowing reviews. This game is one in a long time that actually presents a challenge and isnt easily beaten, and I, for one, like that. I love a game that gives me fits of frustration and ups the tension level, give me a challenge...after all, I shelled out 50 bucks for it...it might as well give me my money's worth right?
I cant really describe this game in words, you should purchase it, rent it if you want, in order to get the gist of what I am trying to say. Renters beware...once you get this game, you wont want to take it back to the store. Buyers...keep this one at home...dont loan it out, you might not get it back. Its just awesome. Beautifully presented, Brilliantly executed and Blazingly fast..yep! I wanna be a ninja too!

Shinobi returns...with a Vengeance!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: November 17, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Shinobi's Back!! You all saw the commercial; now reap the benefits that it's finally out. One of Sega's oldest and under-appreciated franchises returns on the PS2 in 3D. Those familiar with Shinobi will be surprised to find out that this Shinobi is not the Joe Musashi of the past, but a new ninja named Hotsuma of the Oboro clan. Shinobi starts again in a new direction and with a new character. But the classic game play of the past titles is retained, this time in glorious 3D.

A 3D Action platform game, Shinobi is heavy on action. Like 90% action, all the time. The other 10% is cinemas and platform skills. No running around looking for a key to open a door, this game is fast and furious. Unlike the Shinobi's of old, your primary weapon is your sword and not the shuriken. You have a cursed enchanted sword that grows stronger with every enemy cut down, and thirsts for blood...if you don't satisfy its thirst; it soon feeds off your own life. The shuriken still remains, and is used to stun enemies at long range...of course, the multiple shuriken toss while flipping is present, but in 3D. Ninja magic is here as well, and you can now run along walls and stick to them like Spiderman.

Graphics are sharp and look great, and the game moves very smoothly. There is a hint of the jaggies once in awhile, but for the most part, the textures are great. Sound is spot on, and music is reminiscent of the Shinobi style music of games past. One of the coolest features of the game is in the combat, as you can dispatch enemies with Tate (pronounced Tah-tay). If you have 4 or more enemies, and dispatch them all within a certain time period of each other, a very cool sequence awaits you. All the enemies are "frozen" and while Hotsuma sheaths his sword, they fall apart in pieces. It's hard to describe, but you must see it in action to appreciate it. Trust me, you will want to dispatch them in Tate after you do it once. In this sense, and the soul feeding of the defeated enemies and style dispatching of enemies reminds me of Devil May Cry. And that's a good thing.

The story is told through CG sequences and looks great. Extras abound, including the chance to use Joe Musashi once you unlock him! Sega and Shinobi are back!!

Kick ... - all action !!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: November 17, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Got the game the day it was released and this is definately a "MUST HAVE" game; Not just for those who played the original Shinobi series. The game is quite difficult and it can get frustrating at times. This doesn't make the game less fun or lose interest. This is one of those game, you'll be playing till your thumbs starts hurting and you have to take a break. Game graphics are Good but not spectacular. Sound is above average and keep you into the game. The camera angle at times need to be adjusted but not a major issue. Haven't completed the game but the plot is interesting enough to keep you going. The only people that would dislike this game, are people that like saving all the time. Sega has done a very good job bringing back an all time classic for the next generation system(PS2).

Average game -- that still needs some improvement

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: November 18, 2002
Author: Amazon User

First off, I played the original Shinobi back in the 1980s in the arcade, and it was one of my favorite games. In fact, this game was one of the few games that I beat on one quarter, due to the arcade's glitches. However, this game is fun, but not quite as fun as Devil May Cry. The three-dimensional effect is quite an improvement. Even the graphics are an improvement. Lastly, the boss fights are quite interesting, and the bosses for the most part resemble the bosses in Metal Gear Solid 2 and Devil May Cry. This game definitely reminisces of the original arcade version. The inclusion of extras such as other playable ninjas including Joe Musashi was definitely good.

However, the game lacks several elements. First, the technique of sword slashing should have been improved. Hotsuma, the main character, should have more abilities for his sword as he continues in his quest. Next, the game should have saved cinematics, as in some games nowadays. Third, the game should have included the original version of Shinobi (or some past version of Shinobi), as in Midway's Spyhunter. Furthermore, the music could have been improved greatly, like including modern techno or something. Lastly, some of the graphical elements could have been improved; as the inclusion of a replay of Hotsuma's slash and hit before his ultimate pose at the end would have been exceptional. This game is a must-buy for Shinobi fans like myself...

A different take on the ninja game.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: November 22, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This game surprised me. I wasn't sure what to expect, given that I haven't played any of the previous Shinobi games (although I do remember the first one, from the arcade, from way back when). I was pleasantly surprised to find out that not only was it different than the usual ninja games I am used to (two great ones for PSX--Tenchu and Tenchu II), but that I liked it, a lot.

The game has a decidely "arcade" feel to it, from the graphics to the sound. Other reviews have mentioned gameplay, so I won't do so here. What I will say is that the fast pace of the game (in large part due to the need to keep your cursed sword from draining your lifeforce) makes for a lot of fun, and a lot of challenge. I have played this game for several hours now, and have died more times that I can remember. This might be frustrating to those who are used to beating a game in 10 hours or less (usually after plugging in all the cheats--and then ranting about how short the game is). For those who like a game that takes a while to beat, Shinobi is for you.

The graphics are pretty good, but not great. Hotsuma is wonderfully rendered, with his body armor and his flowing scarf (which makes him look very interesting, although a bit effete for a ninja), but the background objects (like buildings) are nothing to write home about. Everything is cast in a greenish-yellowish "washed out" hue, but I suspect this is intentional, since it is supposed to be a post-apocalyptic Tokyo.

A few cons. The camera takes a bit of getting used to. You can change the angle and rotation using the right analog stick, and can center it from Hotsuma's point-of-view with the L1 button, but it can get to be a bit of a problem when you are trying not only to fight several ninjas on the ground, but that pesky helicopter above your head. Also, I find the background music kind of annoying.

Overall, I think that this is a must-buy or must-borrow for those who like ninja games, fast paced arcade-style games, or fans of the old Shinobi series. It seems too hard of a game to get any serious use out of renting.

Shinobi- Rather Flashy ninja action

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: November 24, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I just started the game, and am so far impressed with it. The Stylized Ninja accents in the game Hotsuma (main character) are perfect all used by ninja's, the running along the wall with use of his guantlets, he has a hyper dash that makes him invisible for a short time, giving you plenty of time to dash around and attack from behind, also another cool note is that when you dash from where you originally are it leaves a blue hologram that confuses the enemy. One of my personal favorites is in a encounter with if you defeat the enemies quickly the game will drop to a cutscene with a couple dramatic swipes with Aukijiki (sword) or he will sheath the sword and the soft clink as the sword is put away splits them all in one shot. He will say a few remarks such as 'Die' or 'Maybe this is our destiny' all in all its still like the other Shinobi's except 3d, still run around and destroy stuff.

Pros

Graphics are good
The stylish attacks
Storyline is integrated

Cons
The Sword gets ticked when you dont fight
And Drains your life, which is partially challenging but more annoying than good

osum game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: November 26, 2002
Author: Amazon User

this game is asome.you will fight your way throu hords of ninjas but,I think it should be rated T.the 2nd BOSS is alomost invicible you`ll still get a kick out of this game.it should still get a 5 star rating.wy donn`t you trie it your self.

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