Shinobi 3DS Review

History of Shinobi Series:

Shinobi series was originated in 1987 as the arcade title where you get to play as the ninja named Joe Musashi set his mission to stop a terrorist organization named Zeed who are kidnapping his students of his clan. The game received positively at the release along with the Master System version, but not until The Revenge of Shinobi on SEGA Genesis/Megadrive arrived in 2 years after the release of the original game, which considered to be a classic for its smart gameplay, detailed graphics, and most memorable original music composed by Yuzo Koshiro. Its one of the first Shinobi games that featuring enemy characters based on cultural icons such as Spider-Man, Batman, Godzilla, Terminator, and Rambo, while Joe Musashi's face resembles as Sonny Chiba which can be shown only in Japanese version, but due to copyright issues had led worldwide version to remove several of guest characters from the Japanese version, while Spider-Man still retains as a guest boss characters for PAL/NTSC US release.
In 1990, the Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi is another title for SEGA Genesis/Megadrive which is a loose adaption to the 1989's arcade game Shadow Dancer as the game are also being well received at the release as being a superior to the original arcade game.
In 1993, Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master for SEGA Genesis/Megadrive are technically being one of the best in the series for its in-depth combat gameplay, high quality graphics, and has full of epic action packed levels.
There are the last game that people may not ever heard was Shinobi Legion for SEGA Saturn is one of final title in the series featuring a 2D side-scrolling perspective. It's one of the Shinobi game that featuring FMV cutscenes and digitalised graphics, while retaining a 2D side-scrolling gameplay style from previous game. Although it's not receiving well as the predecessor, but some may considered this game as the black sheep of the Shinobi series.
In 2002, SEGA went to focus on 3D hack n slash roots which is Shinobi for PS2 which was developed by Overworks. It was mean't to be originally planned for SEGA Dreamcast, but due to discontinuation of console which led the game been transferred to the PS2. The game had receiving fair praises for its gameplay and protagonist, while criticising for its difficulty and level design.
The 2003's sequel Nightshade are also shares the similar game style as the predecessor, but many of critics considered the game more of being the average title compared with the 2002's Shinobi.
Then finally in 8 years later since the 2003's title, we are able to get to see a return of the classic series with Shinobi for 3DS that I'm hoping to look forward to play on Nintendo's handheld system.



Shinobi 3DS Review:

Shinobi is a 2D side-scrolling hack n slash game for 3DS, which was developed by Griptonite Games and published by SEGA.

This game makes the return of the 2D side-scrolling roots once again since 1996's Shinobi Legion for Saturn. The game is much more different for its presentation comes with stylised-animation on the cutscenes, new protagonist, and filled with action packed sequences that made the game look pretty amazing, while I finding the storylines is not the best part of the game which kinda lacks in-depth plot and narrative which it should have done something better if they are able to get the story properly done right. I had really fun playing on the 2D side-scrolling gameplay which I finding it quite straightforward as long as the combat and levels are able to keeping intact together to make it more enjoyable. I really liked the style of the graphics which was mixed with 2D sprites and 3D backgrounds especially being with the 3DS standard is absolutely makes the game look acceptable and appealing at the same time.
In my opinion the game did executed well despite being the most under-appreciated title that couldn't get credit what it deserved, so is this obscurity game any good enough to impress the fans of the series?

So without go further do, lets start the review.



Presentation

The game takes place in year 1256 set in Kencho Era, Japan. The story focuses on young Oboro Clan Leader Jiro Musashi, a father of Joe Musashi from original Arcade and Sega Genesis Shinobi games, who is been sent to defend his home village from the ninja forces of Zeed right before he was sent 800 years into the future where Zeed now rules with an iron fist. He was been aided by local resistance leader named Sarah as he still continues to against Zeed while begins to uncover a deeper conspiracy involving ancient alien Orn.

I got to say that the story is rather mixed because it's sounds not as great compared with previous Shinobi titles. The story where Jiro been sent into the 800 years future which is pretty sounds familiar with the cartoon network TV series such as Samurai Jack has the similar plot that involves the Samurai hero been transferred into the futuristic era, so I think the idea they put into the game may be sounds interesting but I don't think it adds the originally of the story concept in the game. The game does not have enough in-depth plot and narrative which I believe the cutscenes may last for 30 seconds which really doesn't add up to the story overall, so I wish they could have been added further more to make the story sounds even better. I am grateful with the style of anime sequences does make the scenes look cool which is more like of the hand-drawn animation they put in the game.
The concepts of the levels did actually look pretty amazing for its mixed between past and futuristic design of Japanese culture around forrest, cities, facility, and many more been featured in the game.
I got to say the protagonist Jiro Mushshi is pretty look decent for his appearences as ninjas, but it doesn't have great personality as the Joe Mushshi which is more experienced character's development for it series, but so far I liked the character in the game.

Overall, it has cool animated sequences and decent protagonist, but it needs more work on storylines.



Gameplay

This game has 8 levels featuring 4 difficulty modes to select. You take control of Jiro Mushshi in 2D side-scrolling perspective to wipe down the enemies using the combat weapons and his ninja magics as your mission is to beat the stage.
You have the two basics weapon which are used for attacking the enemy. You have katana sword which is used for close combat as you can able to perform 2 or 3 combo slash, while using the shurikens worked for long distance range as you can also perform double jump attack which allows you to throw 8 shurikens at once in mid-air, but it may be runs out quickly until it automatically slowly replenishes back. You can also deflect the enemy's projectiles by using parrying which prevent you taking damage from the enemy, so you need to take sometime to get used with the parrying if you're doing in the right timing without trying to get hit.
You have these 4 ninja magics which allowing him to perform special ability such as Fire that increase damages against enemies, Water that allowing him to jump higher, Thunder that shields his health, and Earth that made his combat attacks much faster which I felt that these ability will benefits the combat gameplay style pretty well in the game.
For the platforming segments, your character can able to do stuff like wall jumping and climbing on surfaces like ropes and top walls which is really good for the levels that has rely on the platforming style.
The game also has action packed segments that adds the variety of levels such as horse riding in level 1, enemy trying to shoot missile while jumping off vehicles in level 2, using gyro motion to control surf board in level 4, theres after burner segment in level 5, and the weird mazes in level 7 which is surprisingly entertaining that adds up the fun factor of the game.

I got to say that the whole game is pretty good overall for putting up with decent combat and stage segments. I am satisfied with the levels that are more linear and fun to play, while do find the boss battle is ridiculously tough for its cheap enemy's pattern and being overpowered especially with the final boss which makes it too frustrating to play as it may not as good compared with the classic Shinobi title that got the boss battle just right where it should, but so far and all everything in the game is doing pretty solid once you get hang of learning combats and levels. You can also enjoy the challenge mode though the streetpass are also fun to play if you like these type of game modes.

Overall, it has decent combat and stage segments.



Graphics

The graphics in the game is looking better without using the 3D effects because it makes the environment looked choppy when having the 3D effects turned on. Despite the choppy 3D effects, I liked the 3D backgrounds for its use of parallax scrolling, but the textures on the objects is kinda look rough for the 3DS system as it may not look as polish in the level environment, but that all okay to me and I do appreciate with the use of hand-drawn style animation is looking so good on the not just the cutscenes, but the overall level design is quite appealing for Shinobi title as long as they keep the levels intact as possible to make the game look more suitable.

Overall, it has solid 3D backgrounds, great level design and hand-drawn animation.



Music and Sounds

The soundtrack is does sound good in the game, but its not as memorable as the classic soundtrack from the Shinobi games for SEGA Genesis/Megadrive. Instead of having edgy action music like the classic Shinobi, it more of the Japanese cliches style of orchestrated genres which seems to fit well in the game, so I wish it would have been sounds better if Yuzo Koshiro or anyone had involved making their music score for this game which could have been sounds more kick ass.
It does have good sound effects for more atmospheric and environmental sounds, while I find the voice acting is pretty poor in the game which didn't fit well for its voice personality as it sounds like a low-budget English dub from cheap DVD films which makes it very forgettable.

Overall, it has good music and sound effects, except voices.



Special Features

The game comes with streetpass challenge mode, unlockables, and dojo mode, but it would have been nice if they included 3 or 4 classic Shinobi games that may help the newcomer of the series able to enjoy the whole Shinobi saga.                       
  
Overall, it has streetpass challenge mode, unlockables, and dojo mode, but please add the classic Shinobi game next time.



Advantages

Cool animated sequences

Good protagonist

Decent combat gameplay

Acceptable visuals

Great stage segments

Some features



Disadvantages

Not enough in-depth storylines

Cheap bosses

Bad voices




Final Verdict


Presentation 6.5/10 - Cool animated sequences and decent protagonist, but it needs more work on storylines.

Gameplay 7.5/10 - Decent combat and stage segments.

Graphics 7/10 - Solid 3D backgrounds and animations.

Music and Sounds 7/10 - good music and sound effects, except voices.

Special Features 7/10 - has streetpass challenge mode, unlockables, and dojo mode.


Overall 7.5/10 - This is actually a good 2D side-scrolling game to play on 3DS, but it may be difficult to appeal the newcomer of the series who hasn't played the Shinobi games from the past. They got the combat gameplay and visuals design just right in the game as long as it may going to impress you enough to enjoy this epic ninja action.
It wasn't as brilliant as the classic Shinobi games for SEGA Genesis/Megadrive despite the cheap bosses and forgettable storylines are the major drawbacks that I wish the developers could have done something better than this, but so far I really liked the game as I considered it a forgotten hidden gems of the 3DS libraries, so I highly recommended to all the fans of the Shinobi series or someone who are really into the other ninja titles such as Ninja Gaiden and Strider for example.
The game cost around between £10 to £20 which is not as cheap but its good enough for collectors to pick up and play.

       
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Resident Evil The Mercenaries 3D 3DS Review

Resident Evil The Mercenaries 3D is a Third-Person Shooter only for 3DS, which was developed and published by Capcom. It is a mini-game title which is very similar with those two games like Resident Evil 4 and 5, and it was released in 3 months later after the launch release of Nintendo 3DS system in 2011.

I had fun playing the mercenaries mode on both Resident Evil 4 and 5 which is a mini-game mode, similar to battle mode on Resident Evil 1, 2, 3 and Code: Veronica, where your goal is to defeat many hordes of enemies to gain a high score as possible within a time limit. These are the best features of all Resident Evil franchises had filled with great mini-game mode, but I expecting Resident Evil The Mercenaries 3D on 3DS is gonna be just good as the mercenaries mode on RE 4 and 5, but it seems that this 3DS title is kinda rough in comparison due to sluggish animation, awkward controls, and not having enough content which I felt the game is pretty rushed out for handheld title. There are some positive things in the game which I going to explain more in further detail while reviewing this game. Is Resident Evil The Mercenaries any good on 3DS standards?

So without go further do, lets start the review.


Presentation

To keep you mind that this is the mini-game title that doesn't really need a story like from the main series, so you'll be starting out in menus where you get to select any of levels, characters, skills and weapons, while you also have the list of medals to earn your achievements by completing the goals task.
The characters in the game features your all-time classic favourites such as Chris, Jill, Claire, Hunk, Wesker, Barry, Rebecca, and Krauser which I felt its a great selection of playable characters, but I'm kinda bummed that they didn't include another well known characters from classic RE games like Leon and Ada could have been a wiser choice for this title, so I am fully understand the problem with the 3DS space limitations is the reason why they didn't include them in the game which kinda upset the fan of the series who really wanted to have their favourite heroes to be featured in the game. The characters also shares with cool looking costumes to choose from once you have unlocked them by beating the stage in higher rank.
The levels is pretty much like from the RE 4 and 5 as expected which has the village, castle, mines, factory, ship deck and others to select and play which seems to be a great choice to have it on this game.
At the start of the mission, you will receive radio calls will guide you how to play the game which is okay to help, but you can always skip it by pressing the start button if you don't want to hear it again.
There are most of the enemies featuring in the game from RE 4 and 5 such as the villagers, creepy priest, leatherface with chainsaw, big fat guy, tough guy with sharp blade, and all others.

Overall, it does have great selection of characters and insane enemies in the game.



Gameplay

This game features both solo or duo mode to choose before beginning the mission. You get to select any of characters that has different kinds of weapons such as Chris has shotgun, Jill has Machine Gun, Barry has heavy magnum, and Krauser has bow and arrow. Your goal is to defeat many enemies to gain more scores as possible before the time runs out, but there are some of the levels may have different objectives in the game such as Level 1 where you have to race through the maker and survive through 15 waves in Level 4.
You will have top screen which shows the third-person view of gameplay and levels, while the bottom screen shows 6 slots of weapons and items at the left side which helps you to select any of items and weapons and the map screen at the right side which shows your player marker that helps you navigate through the level.
To be honest, I don't like using the stylus pen for this game because everytime I had to keep changing the weapons and items which is not the quickest way to change the weapons and items during the battle. It slows down your play style when attempting to change items by using the stylus pen while trying not to get ass kicked by enemy nearby, so I think it's better to have it on d-pad so I can able to switch weapons and items faster.
The circle pad controls the player movement, while using the 4 face buttons allowing you to look around the level. Having the L and R shoulder buttons lets you aim and shoot at the enemies which can be also aimed with 4 face buttons, while using the circle pad to strafe while aiming.
I got to say that most of the combat weapons in the game is working fine in the game with acceptable range shot and targeting accuracy, but the issue is that the 3DS controls layout is not highly designed for the Shooters as it suffered with aiming inflexibility which makes it difficult to aim with 4 face buttons as it takes awhile to get used to play.
It did have the classic RE 4 controls in the game which can be found on control options, but I think its too dated for the early 2010s gaming era where most of the shooters nowadays had relying on two thumbsticks controls.
To keep you mind, this is early 2011's 3DS games that won't work on circle pad pro or New 3DS's pointing stick which is shame that they didn't bothered making the game's patch update for newer control scheme, so no wonder why Resident Evil Revelations on 3DS just plays better with the use of circle pad pro.
Despite awkward controls, I did manage to beat all the stages with higher rank which unlocks your awards such as medals, weapons, and skills.
The skills can be found on skill options where you can able to use upgrades to boost your character's ability such as weapon handling, improved vitally, toughness, luck, smart reload and many more to choose which can be also skilled up to level 3 as it really makes it beneficial for combat gameplay. You can also change loadout from weapon menu where you can able to transfer character's weapons loadout like for example: You can replace Barry's weapons loadout with the Krauser's weapons loadout which I think its a smart move by the developers that gives you an options to swap loadouts.

So far, the game is super short which lasted about 1 to 2 hours play which I felt that it's not the best way to enjoy the game as the level 1 to 5 are seems to be more like the tutorial stuff, while level EX has 9 missions which does play like the true mercenaries mode. I liked the choice of the levels location taking place from the RE 4 and 5 mercenaries, but it would have been nice if Capcom can able to add more new missions through DLCs or updates which should have made the game a whole lot better. However this game does have both online and local co-op support where you get to play with your friends throughout the hordes which is the positive part of the game.
With the use of stylus pen for selectable items, having weird 3DS controls, and not many content in the game is seems to be doing a lazy job by developer themselves, so I wish they could have done something more better job than this.

Overall, it has decent combat with customisable weapons and skills options, and co-op mode, but the game suffers with short length play and awkward controls.


Graphics

It is very hard for me to impress the looks of the graphics on 3DS standards. The only cool part in the game is the stereoscopic 3D effects which allowing the system to display the 3D images of in-game graphics. It does look okay using the 3D effects, but I got to say that the graphics in whole game aren't look good as compared with Resident Evil 5 for PCs and consoles which is more technical marvel at the time how realistic the RE 5 looks in year 2009, but this version is just felt like a striped down for whole game.
This game on 3DS did had some issues with character's animation at the draw-distance is looking so choppy compared with the near distance that ran just fine which I believe that the handheld system aren't being capable of having smoother animation in the game. I got to say that the textures on the building and objects are kinda look rough to look at as these surfaces looks more smudgy and unpolished that really missing some details in the games and it also had cheap lighting effects and average environments which I felt its pretty rushed out without having to bother polishing the graphics overall.

Overall, it has sluggish animation, smudgy details and cheap environments.


Music and Sounds

This game borrows the soundtrack from RE 4 and 5 which is still pretty sounds good so far as I really liked the intense upbeat music that makes you want to have edgy action in mercenaries modes, while the sounds effects are acceptable for most part such as gun shooting sounds, background noises, and atmospheric effects especially its sounds really good on the 3DS stereo speaker.
The voice overs sounds also decent for most of the characters in the game especially with the radio conversation part at the beginning of the game is sounds pretty amazing.

Overall, it has cool soundtrack and great use of sound effects.


Special Features

This game came with medals awards, leaderboards, and some cool unlockables features in the games such as alternative costumes and character's loadouts, but the best part of the features is that it has the early demo version of Resident Evil Revelations where you take control of Jill Valentine investigating through the dark room of ship deck which is a nice addition were included in the game.

Overall, it has medals, leaderboards, unlockables, and demo game.



Advantages

Great selection of characters

Liked the choice of levels locations

Customisable weapons and skills

Cool soundtrack

Excellent special features


Disadvantages

Short length play

Awkward controls

Weak graphics



Final Verdict


Presentation 7/10 - great selection of characters and insane enemies in the game.

Gameplay 6/10 - decent combat and co-op mode, but suffers with short length play and awkward controls.

Graphics 5/10 - sluggish animation, smudgy details and cheap environments.

Music and Sounds 8/10 - cool soundtrack and great use of sound effects.

Special Features 7.5/10 - it has medals, leaderboards, unlockables, and demo game.


Overall 6/10 - It's actually an okay title for 3DS libraries, but its definitely not for everyone's cup of tea as you can see this game is pretty seems to be rushed out which really ends up with lacking content meaning that there are aren't any of new DLCs and updates for more playable levels and characters. The gameplay and graphics are being major stepped back for the clunky controls schemes and rough environmental design choices, but at least the combat and co-op play are quite decent enough to impress those who are looking for the reliable gun play and working together as teams.
So far, it is definitely not the best Resident Evil title in my opinion, but it's not as bad as many people think.

It would have been played better on PCs and Consoles version if Capcom can able to re-release the game again in the future and analysing their mistake from the 3DS counterpart.

So far, Resident Evil The Mercenaries 3D is an average 3DS title which I don't really regret having this game on my 3DS collection, so if any of you interested in this game then I would say go for it as long as you're happy to give this game a try. It cost around between £5 to £10 from online store is still valuable enough for you to pick up and play, so yeah its still an fair game overall.




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