While the hack and slash genre encompasses many certain types of games, in this case I use the term to reference a certain type of third person 3-d game that originated around the first Onimusha game. This hack and slash genre in video games can be considered the smarter more refined younger brother to the old beat em' games. Here we have the same constant action, but with weapons with unique move sets, more sophisticated combos, and bigger and more elaborate set pieces. There's been several imitators since Onimusha and Devil May Cry, some good, some bad, and some...in between.
Enter "Ninja Blade", a game I won't blame you for overlooking due to its extremely generic name. It's not some old forgotten NES title as the name implies, but actually a relatively new title from the year 2009 from the studio "From Software". Ninja Blade borrows heavily from every hack and slash game released in the last couple of years with no attempt for originality. You have the common orb system in place, the upgrade screen for weapons looks almost exactly like the one in Onimusha, quick time events a la God of War are used very heavily, the setting and aesthetics are very reminiscent of other ninja inspired games such as Shinobi or Ninja Gaiden. There's nothing slightly creative or original in the making of this game.
But damn it if I still didn't enjoy it to some degree. You play as Ken the ninja fighting some sort of viral mutation outbreak that's causing all sorts of hell in modern Tokyo. The mutation varies from random zombies, to strange flying armored beetle things, to gigantic arachnids. The hell is causing this is not immediately clear, but who cares because the enemies sure look great and are extremely varied, so lets get into some ninja action! Sometimes the bosses are designed purely for the situation (why does that giant enemy crab have laser cannons on its legs?)but they always have great detail and animation to them.
If only they were as fun to dispatch. If you try to rank Ninja Blade along side other hack and slash greats in terms of fluidity of the control, it comes up short. Sometimes combos drag on too long in a direction you didn't intend to, but its nothing terribly game breaking, just nothing extremely polished either. Fortunately a lot of this game doesn't even focus around third person hack and slashing.
No, the main draw here is the quick time events(or QTE for short). Yes, the quick time events. Much of the game is comprised not of third person sections but quick time events, then maybe an on rails shooting section. The quick time events are usually very well directed although not entirely original in this regard either (lots of stunt work on a motorcycle is on display reminiscent of Dante in Devil May Cry 3). With this many gameplay elements moving together at such a short time you'd think you were playing a bunch of Warioware micro-games strung together. Some people may hate this, but it actually makes the game move at a very brisk pace, which is always a plus for an action game. Sometimes they even have you free falling down skyscrapers dispatching baddies (although these sections aren't terribly complicated or fun to play they do look cool). While everything about the gameplay is derivative, its the way they present it to you that makes it a different experience.
From Software is most notable for its "Armored Core" series, but it also developed a fantastic hack and slash series for the original Xbox called "Otogi". Otogi had fantastic visuals, not just technically but artistically, set in a mystical ancient Japan. The game was a cult classic on the system, and is fondly remembered by hack and slash fans.
While the main downside isn't the derivative gameplay in Ninja Blade, it's the environments. While Otogi featured these memorable environments of Japanese mountains, temples, countrysides filled with beautiful ambient lighting, Ninja Blade instead opted for more modern boring drab gray. Many of the early levels look exactly the same, which all take place in the city, until you start a level that begins in the sky with no visible landscape. The setting in this game is an afterthought basically, with enemy's and crazy stunts via QTE's on full display.
From Software are capable of truly superb titles, but in this case Ninja Blade is a confusing title considering that the talent is there. Even so, its a great enjoyable action title that you won't regret picking out of that bargain bin.
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