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“London, UK - Terrorists have seized the city, killed countless civilians and taken the Prime Minister hostage. They now make a single demand.
On the other side of the world, two covert government operatives fly to a village hidden deep within the Japanese countryside to relay the message: "It's you they want, Ryu Hayabusa."
In London, Hayabusa comes face to face with the leader of the terrorists, a man known only as the Regent of the Mask. The Regent places a curse on him--the Grip of Murder--which thrives on all the lives Hayabusa has taken. And Hayabusa has taken many, many lives.
Hayabusa must suffer this curse as he fights in the furthest reaches of the world in order to save those closest to him. To protect that which must be protected, and kill that which must be killed. But every action has its consequence...”
If we skip back to Ninja Gaiden I for a moment and take a look at the first boss, this was enough to make a grown man cry. It was hard and challenging, but something you got a great satisfaction defeating. Ninja Gaiden after that was criticised as being too hard and consequently the second in the series was toned down, although keeping to the concept of the first. The third, although still challenging in parts has created a simpler concept to the series, even going as far as to hold your hand with on-screen directions, but has it come at a price?
Ninja Gaiden III could be mistaken for a completely new game and not part of the Xbox series, a lot has been taken out from the first two, but also a lot of new features have been added. Removing Maramasa’s weapons shop (although he does make an appearance along with other characters from previous games) along with abilities to buy, upgrade weapons and health, now the weapons are already fully upgraded in the single player. Weapon wise, Ryu has access to his katana, shuriken, a high tech bow which has infinite arrows. The health bar now replenishes when Ryu completes sections or enemies are defeated. Ryu is still the main character, but perhaps the biggest change is that the game has become very linear and button bashy. Pressing the Right Stick in shows you what to do and which direction to go, so you are never lost.
The moves have also been simplified, gone are the upgrades to the weapons which when purchased would open up new moves for you and in its place moves are sometimes shown on the screen for you to match buttons and to press when they appear. New moves include the Kunai Climb, which Ryu uses his Kunai to climb certain walls, whilst you press the Left and Right triggers alternatively at the correct speed, he can also use this to attack enemies from above swooping down on them. The Slide Manoeuvre replaces the Reverse Wind Technique and allows Ryu to get through small areas, Ryu can now sneak attack and the ultimate attack is now known as the Grip of the Murder, Ryu’s right arm is cursed and glows red, when fallen enemies nearby are absorbed replacing the essence from the previous games, when charged up he releases an ultimate attack.
Ninpo also has changed; there is now only one Ninpo which changes Ryu into a dragon in the single player game. Filling up a bar under the health bar by defeating enemies until it is full Ryu can then activate it defeating all enemies on the screen and restoring part of all of Ryu’s health. The HUD has also changed and appears only when Ryu is in battle and the Dragon Statues which you save and heal have been replaced by a Falcon.
The bosses have a challenge to them, near to the beginning the dragon will have you swearing as it thrashes you with its tail and chases you through some rather narrow passages, ensuring you keep up the pace and avoid obstacles in order to outrun it. As with most bosses there is a way to defeat them, whether it is to shoot an Orange spot or to hack legs.
Ninja Gaiden III as well as the single player includes Co-op and multiplayer modes under Shadows of the world in the main menu. There is also a training mode.
“Enter a world of brutal combat and silent kills, of honor and betrayal, of desperate fights to stave off certain death. Become a ninja and compete against other shadows of the world.”
Join with another ninja to take on co-op Ninja Trials. Learn from the best or show another rookie ninja the ropes as you take on some of the hardest team missions in the Ninja Gaiden series. When you first put on the game is this locked, you must play to Day 3 to unlock it. Then you can use Karma to unlock others.
You can also customise a Ninja to use in co-op and multiplayer, changing the colour of his clothes, logo and unlocking weapons.
Then fight in Clan Battles against other ninjas from around the world. Experience all the action of Ninja Gaiden games online against real opponents.
Success online will earn experience and unlock new items to customize your ninja. Create your own unique shinobi to become the world's top ninja. You might even face the ultimate ninja himself - Ryu Hayabusa!”
Ninja Gaiden III looks good with a cinematic feel to it, the characters look good and there is a new "Steel on Bone" feature which allows you to slice through a body doing a slow motion scene. Overall the game’s graphics definitely stand up with some of the best Xbox 360 games out there.
Perhaps if this was the first Ninja Gaiden it would be a great game, however as we have seen two before this it kind of feels watered down. However, if you look at it as a standalone game it is enjoyable.
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Reply to MultiQuote
. I might get this one I didn't get the second one and the series is different from other games.
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