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.

       
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Skip it

Rent it

Buy it

If you like my recent blog, please hit like and comment below for further questions.  

This is Zeeshan Mirza's Blog and I'll see you next time, happy blogging everyone.