Publisher: Tecmo

Developer: Team Ninja

Release Date: 3/25/2008

Available Exclusively On

First, I have to mention that the game isn’t brutally difficult like previous NG games. The game is actually a perfectly set difficulty that will challenge you but won’t make you tear your hair out. You play as Ryu Hayabusa, who has to stop the Fiends from taking over the world with the Dark Dragon Stones. You are the last member of the Dark Dragon Clan, and you must protect your lineage. While the story isn’t anything special, the game does sport beautiful cut scenes that were tailored for the dual screens. The graphics are also the best on the DS, with beautiful pre-rendered backgrounds, high-res textures, and character models.

You basically execute all attacks through the touch screen by slashing enemies. You can use your projectile weapons by tapping enemies. I have to report that this works superbly, and the controls are actually more responsive than in console games. You can use your mana power for devastating attacks, but you can only use these once until you get to another save point. The save points are generously scattered throughout the short levels, so things won’t get too hard for you. You can do other moves, such as slashing up to jump and then slashing down to do a slam attack. You get all the moves in Ninja Gaiden (Xbox), but there aren’t any new ones. While all of this sounds excellent, it does get old by the end of the game. However, the game has some fun boss fights to keep things interesting.

You can solve puzzles by blowing out flames, lighting torches, hitting orbs, etc., but nothing will strain your brain. The game is very short, and you can beat it in about 6 hours. There are 13 chapters, but the levels are really, really short (you can beat most of them in 20 minutes or so). Overall, the game is really well done, and any action fan needs to own it, especially if you’re getting ready for Ninja Gaiden II (X360).