Relating to video games that includes ninjas, it has been a humiliation of riches this yr with phenomenal titles like Shinobi: Artwork of Vengeance, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, and even Murderer’s Creed: Shadows. Does that streak proceed with Ninja Gaiden 4? Sure, however it’s not an expertise with out its faults.
It’s been a very long time since we had a brand new entry into Workforce Ninja’s Ninja Gaiden franchise, so in fact, it was a welcome sight to see Ryu Hayabusa return for a brand new installment, even when it was only for a restricted period of time.
My historical past with the Ninja Gaiden franchise is a mix of frustration on one finish, because of how troublesome the video games had been to beat, and enjoyable on the opposite, because of the frenetic gameplay.
With Ninja Gaiden 4, I hoped Workforce Ninja and PlatinumGames had lastly discovered a option to steadiness the sport’s issue whereas retaining it enjoyable.
Fortunately, that mission was completed, and delivering a sport that’s good on paper however can simply be as polarizing as Hideo Kojima’s Metallic Gear Stable 2: Sons of Liberty, as a result of they each share a narrative function that retains the story/gameplay recent, however is additionally a significant letdown within the eyes of hardcore followers.
Additionally, it includes a story that many in all probability received’t give a rattling about earlier than and after the credit roll.
Let’s Get The Story Out of The Method
Relating to the Ninja Gaiden franchise, it’s secure to imagine that nobody picked up these video games for the story. Outdoors of the Ninja Gaiden, Ninja Gaiden II: Black, the story is forgettable, and sadly, that continues to be the case with Ninja Gaiden 4.
I truthfully couldn’t let you know what the hell is happening on this sport, however it lets you already know proper off the rip that this might be newcomer, Yakumo, an excellent ninja from the rival Raven Clan, who takes the lead on this sport.
His job is straightforward: resurrect the Darkish Dragon, the fixed antagonist from earlier Ninja Gaiden titles, who’s now a skeletal husk looming over Tokyo, forcing folks to flee the once-vibrant Japanese metropolis because of the unfavorable circumstances created by the Divine Dragon God’s skeletal stays.
Yakumo’s job is to revive the dormant creature, solely to take it out for actual this time and the one manner he can accomplish that purpose is by defeating many giant demons who shield seals that must be damaged to ressurrect the Darkish Dragon, which provides a novel component to the gameplay, and rewards you with new weapons once you take out every boss.
Once more, the story on this sport is nothing to write down dwelling about, and one thing you received’t be speaking about as soon as the credit roll.
Ninja Gaiden 4 Is The Metallic Gear Stable 2: Sons of Liberty of The Franchise
After I pressed begin on Ninja Gaiden 4 and instantly took management of Yakumo, I couldn’t assist however be transported to once I first performed Metallic Gear Stable 2: Sons of Liberty.
Now, stick with me right here —you’re in all probability asking, “The place the hell am I going with this?”
Hideo Kojima managed to piss off a number of the MGS fanbase properly earlier than he determined to make Kiefer Sutherland the voice of Massive Boss in Metallic Gear Stable V: The Phantom Ache, when gamers discovered that as an alternative of taking part in with Snake within the follow-up to MGS, you as an alternative performed as Raiden.
Kojima defined his resolution so as to add a second protagonist: he wished to offer gamers a third-person perspective on Snake, displaying that he was nonetheless the principle hero of the sport, whereas we noticed his heroics by the eyes of Raiden, who was embarking on the mission as a brand new character.
Whereas main as much as the sport’s launch, it was marketed as if gamers would as soon as once more be taking part in as Snake, however that didn’t turn into the case in any respect after we lastly acquired to play the sport, as you solely managed Snake for what might be described as the sport’s prologue.
The identical may be stated for Ninja Gaiden 4; Ryu Hayabusa’s face is plastered everywhere in the artwork, whereas Yakumo’s presence is minimized, however make no mistake, that is Yakumo’s sport.
You do take management of Ryu, however it’s just for a restricted expertise to assist push the lackluster story alongside, and all it manages to do is make you want you had been taking part in as Ryu for a lot of the sport as an alternative of the soulless Yakumo.
It’s solely after you beat the sport that you just get the choice to replay missions as Ryu.
Ninja Gaiden 4’s Motion Is Implausible
The place this sport knocks it out of the park is within the motion and fight division. Workforce Ninja, with assist from PlatinumGames, takes the motion this franchise is finest recognized for to a different stage.
It’s quick, enjoyable, and completely satisfying to slice, cube, and execute the enduring Izuna Drop on the wave of enemies thrown at you. The weapon selection can also be implausible, which shouldn’t shock Ninja Gaiden followers.
Yakumo’s Bloodraven type, which you’ll be able to activate by urgent down the left set off button, provides extra weapons to your already stacked arsenal, turning your twin katanas right into a longsword or a drill to assist Yakumo add much more fashion to his lethal combos, whereas permitting you to ship assaults that can break enemies’ guards.
For Ryu, the identical button permits him to drag off devastating gleam assaults like rapid-fire sword strikes and different highly effective strikes, reminding you that he’s the grasp ninja, and why we wished he was used way more than he was within the sport.
Additionally, PlatinumGames is bringing fashionable parries, excellent blocks, and different touches, taking the fight to a different stage.
Ultimate Verdict
Regardless of a lackluster story, restricted enemy design, and never sufficient Ryu Hyubusa, Ninja Gaiden 4 remains to be a fairly good online game, thanks largely to the nonstop motion it delivers.
I had a lot enjoyable stylishly pulling off sick combos, excellent dodges, and parries whereas taking over waves of baddies, regardless of a few of them, notably at particular factors within the sport, being overused.
The boss battles had been entertaining and really difficult; considered one of them was notably irritating so far as its assault patterns, however nonetheless, all in all, Workforce Ninja and PlatinumGames did a superb job of elevating what makes these Ninja Gaiden video games a lot enjoyable to play: the fight.
The choice to make Yakumo the centerpiece of this sport’s story was an attention-grabbing alternative on the builders’ half, however don’t get it twisted —he’s a blast to play as, however he’s no Ryu Hyubusa.
Talking of Ryu, it positively felt like he was simply thrown within the sport as a comfort prize to reward gamers for making it by the 10-hour expertise.
We totally anticipate Yakumo to return, and we hope the following Ninja Gaiden sport has a a lot more healthy dose of its star, Ryu Hayabusa.
*Evaluation key supplied by Workforce Ninja & PlatinumGames*
