Jump to content

Ninja Gaiden 3

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Jabberwocky7297 (talk | contribs) at 21:30, 13 October 2012. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

"Ninja Gaiden III" redirects here. For the 1991 NES game, see Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom.
Ninja Gaiden 3
File:NinjaGaiden3.jpg
European cover art
Developer(s)Team Ninja
Publisher(s)Tecmo Koei
Nintendo (Razor's Edge)
Director(s)Fumihiko Yasuda
Yosuke Hayashi
Writer(s)Masato Kato[2]
SeriesNinja Gaiden
Platform(s)PlayStation 3
Xbox 360
Wii U (Razor's Edge)
Release
March 20, 2012[1]
  • Ninja Gaiden 3
    Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge
Genre(s)Action-adventure, hack and slash
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Ninja Gaiden 3 is an action-adventure video game developed by Team Ninja and published by Tecmo Koei. It is the sequel to Ninja Gaiden II and was released worldwide for the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360 in March 2012. An updated version titled Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge will be released for the Wii U later in 2012, and will be published by Nintendo.[3]

The game is the first in the modern series to be directed by someone other than Tomonobu Itagaki, the former franchise director. In his place is Yosuke Hayashi, the director of the Sigma ports.

Gameplay

Ryu fighting a boss in the PS3 version

The game features new mechanics and changes. Such new features include "Steel on Bone", a new visual cinematic trick which allows players to cut through the body during a slow-motion sequence.[4] The new Kunai Climb involves Ryu climbing onto certain walls with the use of his kunai, which he can use to attack enemies from above. In other situations the player has to be stealthy, as Ryu can now sneak up on an enemy and kill him with a single strike. Enemies speak while fighting and do not die quickly, and they suffer and scream in pain when injured. They are no longer decapitated or dismembered, instead they just bleed and weaken.

Some changes include the slide maneuver, which replaces the Reverse Wind Technique from the previous games. Ryu uses it to get through small passages as well as to attack enemies. The Ultimate Technique concept has slightly changed in the form of Ryu's cursed right arm known as the Grip of the Murder. When he kills a specific number of enemies his arm glows red. Then, the player can charge up for an ultimate attack that is fueled by absorbing nearby fallen bodies instead of essence.

Unlike past games, the HUD appears only when Ryu is engaged in battle, then fades out later. The Muramasa store is no longer present; Ryu gets different swords over the course of the game. He also has access to his shuriken and a high-tech bow; arrows for the bow are also improved as the game progresses. Both projectile weapons have infinite ammo. Items are virtually non-existent. The Dragon Statues that allowed Ryu to save and heal are replaced by a scripted Falcon who swoops down to Ryu's hand and saves at specific points in the level, restoring his health to full as well.

The Ninpo concept has been revamped. In the single-player mode, Ryu has access to only one Ninpo that transforms him into a giant dragon of fire. To activate it, the player must first defeat enemies to fill up a bar beneath the healthbar. Once it is full, the player can activate the Ninpo and kill all onscreen enemies at once, restoring Ryu's life in the process. The amount of health gained depends on how many enemies were left when the Ninpo was cast. In the multiplayer modes (both co-op and competitive), there are other Ninpo available, such as the Art of the Piercing Void.

The PlayStation 3 version of Ninja Gaiden 3 has an optional control scheme for the use of the PlayStation Move. This is to give players "a new visceral edge when battling and slicing through their enemy's flesh and bone."[5]

Plot

See also: List of Ninja Gaiden characters

The game explores Ryu Hayabusa's more human side as he descends into a hellish realm. The history involving the Fiends and Archfiends from the previous titles is not explored this time around (although they still present in the game's trial mode), and instead involves a mysterious cult of alchemists seeking to destroy the world as we know it and create a new world order, with Ryu as the catalyst.

Development and promotion

Ninja Gaiden 3 exposition at E3 2011

The game was announced at a closed-door event at the Tokyo Game Show 2010, with only one image shown.[6]

A teaser poster depicting a blood ridden Ryu pulling on his mask was released thereafter. The head of Team Ninja, Yosuke Hayashi said: “He seems to be doing something with right hand. Also, there’s something not normal about this hand. It’s covered in blood, but there’s something unnatural regarding the blood.” Hayashi later gave more details: "Ryu is unmasking himself, and it's a way of attracting people to his world. We are trying to have people enter the real Ryu Hayabusa. The amount of blood doesn't revolve around the idea of killing people, either; it could also be Ryu's blood. We're focusing not only on cutting people but also Ryu himself."[7]

The development team did not include an ability to dismember limbs, which was a key graphical element of the previous modern games. A Team Ninja staff member stated that "people do not want to see that anymore" and so they had removed it from the game.[8] At Electronic Entertainment Expo 2011, it was revealed that the game features competitive and cooperative multiplayer modes with one or both modes supporting up to eight players.

The game's story was written by Masato Kato, who wrote the plotline and designed graphics for the original Ninja Gaiden trilogy for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Hayashi mentioned that characters from the NES series would appear.[2] Robert, a notable character from Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos, makes a cameo as a pilot who helps Ryu jump onto another jet.[9]

A demo of the fighting game Dead or Alive 5, packaged with Ninja Gaiden 3, features Ryu Hayabusa, Ayane, Hayate and Hitomi. The Xbox 360 version of the demo allows the use of Hayabusa and Hitomi, while the PlayStation 3 version makes Hayate and Ayane playable.[10] The collector's edition of Ninja Gaiden 3 makes all four characters playable.[11]

Koei Tecmo Wave released a new statuette of Ryu battling one of the game's bosses.[12] It was included with Ninja Gaiden 3 Collector's Edition available in the United States at GameStop and EB Games, and the United Kingdom along with an art book, soundtrack CD, and a premium code for the full Dead or Alive 5 demo.[13]

Downloadable content

Three downloadable content packs were released throughout April 2012. They contain new weapons (Falcon's Talons and Eclipse Scythe), armor and headgear customization items. Furthermore, new "Ninja Trials" minigames were released.[14]

Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge

A special edition of the game, Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge, is being developed for the Wii U. It will include all the DLC from the original on the disc, as well new additions made to enhance the game. This release can be seen as the equivalent to a Sigma edition. This version will be published by Nintendo, making it the company's third ever M-rated title, after GameCube games Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem and Geist.

The player can now use the Wii U GamePad's unique touchscreen to select different weapons, perform Ninpo, view additional game information and more. Decapitation and dismemberment from previous titles will return[15], and an optional mode with touchscreen controls similar to that of Dragon Sword will be available. Additional features include new exclusive weapons such as the Lunar Staff and Dual Katanas, improved AI, new enemy types, and battle areas. The "Karma Counter" from previous games will be brought back. An upgrade menu will be implemented, and will allow players to spend their Karma to enhance their weapons, Ninpo, and character traits such as health bar length and special moves. The game will also feature online cooperative play.

A new playable character, the female ninja Ayane, was revealed in a preview of the game at the Nintendo of America Wii U press conference in New York. She will have her own set of moves similar to her Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 iteration, with additional cutscenes being produced to explain her role.

Reception

Ninja Gaiden 3 was met with generally mixed reviews, with most criticism aimed at the game being too streamlined. Aggregating review websites GameRankings and Metacritic gave the Xbox 360 version 56.54% and 58/100[16][18] respectively and the PlayStation 3 version 54.41% and 58/100 respectively.[17][19]

Some of the reviews were fairly positive. Official Xbox Magazine gave it an 8 out of 10, praising the combat and graphics, but criticizing the streamlined approach and the ending.[24] The Official PlayStation Magazine UK gave it an 7 out of 10, saying "it's largely fun even if it doesn’t quite deliver on its grand objectives."[25] Computer and Video Games rated the game 8/10, even as "the hardcore [gamers], who previously gritted teeth and suffered through the punishment are unlikely to forgive the myriad concessions to the wider audience."[20]

On the other hand, GameSpot gave the game a 5.5 out of 10 rating, calling it "a shallow action game with little of the series' challenge and depth."[22] IGN gave the game a 3 out of 10, calling it "a technical disaster."[23]

References

  1. ^ JC Fletcher (2011-12-15). "Ninja Gaiden 3 arrives on March 20, pre-order or get collector's edition for DOA5 demo". Joystiq. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  2. ^ a b Posted September 21, 2011 - By Guest Writer (2011-09-21). "Team Ninja's Yosuke Hayashi Talks Ninja Gaiden 3". G4tv.com. Retrieved 2012-02-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ Newton, James (2012-06-05). "E3 2012: Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge Published by Nintendo". NintendoLife. Retrieved 2012-06-06.
  4. ^ Hillier, Brenna. "NInja Gaiden 3 to convey a sense of steel on bone". VG247.
  5. ^ Reilly, Jim. "Gamescom: Ninja Gaiden 3 Gets Move Support". IGN.
  6. ^ Ninja Gaiden 3 Announced at Tokyo Game Show
  7. ^ Reilly, Jim. "Ninja Gaiden III: A Cut Above the Rest". IGN.
  8. ^ Pereira, Chris (2011-08-19). "Ninja Gaiden 3 Ditches Beheadings Because You Don't Want to See Them". 1up.com. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
  9. ^ Team Ninja (2012-03-20). Ninja Gaiden 3 (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3). Tecmo. Robert: The fate of the goddamn world is resting on your shoulders. Good luck!
  10. ^ Ninja Gaiden 3 to Include Exclusive DOA5 Demo, Shoryuken, December 14th, 2011
  11. ^ Jordan Mallory, Here's the Ninja Gaiden 3 collector's edition (with bonus screenshots), Joystiq, Jan 12th 2012
  12. ^ Ninja Gaiden III - Ryu Hayabusa - Duel of the Masked (Koei Tecmo Wave) - MyFigureCollection.net
  13. ^ Ninja Gaiden 3 arrives on March 20, pre-order or get collector's edition for DOA5 demo | Joystiq
  14. ^ NINJA GAIDEN 3 | Official Site | TECMO KOEI America
  15. ^ Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge on Wii U brings back dismemberment - http://www.videogamer.com
  16. ^ a b "Ninja Gaiden 3 (Xbox 360)". GameRankings. Retrieved 2012-04-12.
  17. ^ a b "Ninja Gaiden 3 (PlayStation 3)". GameRankings. Retrieved 2012-04-12.
  18. ^ a b "Ninja Gaiden 3 for Xbox 360 Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic". Metacritic.com. Retrieved 2012-04-12.
  19. ^ a b "Ninja Gaiden 3 for PlayStation 3 Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic". Metacritic.com. Retrieved 2012-04-12.
  20. ^ a b Hartup, Andy (2012-03-19). "Review: Ninja Gaiden 3 review: Less brutal, less sadistic - and better for it". ComputerAndVideoGames.com. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
  21. ^ Matulef, Jeffrey (2012-03-22). "Ninja Gaiden 3 Review for Xbox 360". G4. Retrieved 2012-03-22.
  22. ^ a b March 21, 2012 3:21PM PDT (2012-03-20). "Ninja Gaiden 3 Review". GameSpot.com. Retrieved 2012-07-31.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  23. ^ a b Mitch Dyer (2012-03-19). "Ninja Gaiden 3 Review - Xbox 360 Review at IGN". Xbox360.ign.com. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
  24. ^ a b "Official XBOX Magazine | Ninja Gaiden 3 review - Page 2". Oxmonline.com. 2012-03-16. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
  25. ^ a b "Ninja Gaiden 3 PS3 review". Official PlayStation Magazine. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
  26. ^ Navarro, Alex (March 23, 2012). "Ninja Gaiden 3 Review". Giant Bomb. Retrieved March 23, 2012.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Ninja_Gaiden_3&oldid=517633126"