Ninja Gaiden 3
Reviewed by Ben_Bankston
As I type this review, I have beaten the original "Ninja Gaiden" only
hours ago. I'm pretty glad that I maintained hope so that I wouldn't
miss the ending. It really makes you wonder what Tecmo was
thanking with this abomination to the series.
What the hell am I talking about? Am I doing a review on "Ninja Gaiden
3" or merely boasting? Anyway, I'm a big fan of the "Ninja Gaiden" series,
but this game stinks. Not only is it ridiculously hard, the insultingly poor
plot really brings it down.
Graphics: 7 out of 10
The action scene graphics are pretty good. Well detailed, they really
look great. The characters actually look more realistic than in the prequels.
So why only a 7? Because the cinema scene graphics are screwed-up.
The characters are done very cheaply, especially the main character,
Ryu. His mask is the only way you can tell he's the same ryu from the
prequels. However, there are almost no Distinguishable backgrounds,
and even those that are ripped straight out of the prequels. This is pure
laziness, plain and simple
Music and Sound: 4 out of 10
I have to admit this game's music is OK, but it's not even close to as
good as that of the prequels. It also seems so "vaguely" similar to
the prequels' music. So similar, in fact, that I think Tecmo just mixed
tracks of existing music. The music is also repeated a lot, and will
someone tell me why they felt a need to replace the sword-slashing
sound a stupid-sounding martial arts chant?
Game Challenge: 5 out of 10
This is another problem. There's not much ingenuity in this game. The
programmers probably thought that if they made you take double the
damage you'd take in the prequels and limit your continues, they could
get away with not making much of an effort. Ha! This game seems seems
to throw bad guys at you just for the sheer hell of it, and the later
levels have tons of enemies attacking you as leap across pits. That's
never been any substitute for ingenuity
Game Play-Fun: 4 out of 10
Okay, first I'll go over the pros. The new "Super Sword" and "Up/Down Blades"
power-ups are great features, and the new ability to cling underneath
certain platforms is nice touch.
With that out of the way, this game is not much fun. Why did they
have to get rid of the "Phantom Doubles" power-up. I just don't know.
Again, enemies do a lot more damage to Ryu than in the prequels. You
also go back very, very far when you die. These problems should definitely
warrant unlimited continues, but they don't; you only get five continues.
This makes beating this game a virtual impossibility(although I have
been proven wrong about many other "impossible" games before.
Frustration
The "Ninja Gaiden" series is known for its frustration, but not at this
level. The bad guys are often in positions where they'll knock you into
a pit. This often makes it seem like you've been screwed out of a life,
and the fact you die with only 4 or 5 hits in the last two acts really
make you cuss the game gloriously.
Oh, and here's a major screw-up: the Japanese version is actually about
as tough as "Ninja Gaiden 2", and it even includes a password feature!
Thanks a lot, importers.
Replayability: 5 out of 10
If you somehow beat "Ninja Gaiden 3", why would you go back to it? I
know I wouldn't. at least not without a "game genie", that is. Even so,
I'd still rather play the original any time. Still, if you are truly determined
to go all the way through, you'll have to play this game many, many times.
And if it's day you want difficulty, this is your game!
Game Value: 4.5 out of 10
I might buy this game at a reasonable price, but only because I'm a fan of
the "Ninja Gaiden" series. If you just want a game, don't buy it. Rent it,
borrow it from a friend, but don't buy it. Sorry, but the fact that this game
is part of such a great series doesn't save it. Still, it's definitely for those
wanting a challenge; it will Rock-Bottom your ego hard enough on concrete
to make a huge dent!
Plot: 4 out of 10
As we all know, the "Ninja Gaiden" games have plots that are done through
cinema scenes. While the first two had great plots(even if the second was
to kiddie-freindly), this game has a very poor plot. It often makes no sense.
For instance a new character named Clancy does appear, but by the end you
may wonder if he's wondered in from another game altogether. Also, it
seems that every cinema scene has yet another pothole big enough to drive
a bus through. The only reason I gave the plot a 4 is because it's so poor, it's
funny sometimes.
Overall: 4.5 out of 10
All in all, this game really stinks, and is mockery to the entire "Ninja Gaiden"
series. This was supposed to great, but fact that it was apparently rushed
really hurt it. The thing that really makes me angry is that this game crippled
a once promising series. "Ninja Gaiden" would have probably continued onto
the Playstation like "Mega Man" and "Final Fantasy" if Tecmo hadn't massacred
the series beyond repair. but this game, as it stands, is for "Ninja Gaiden"
collectors only.