Summary
Despite its beginnings as an arcade title, many fans rememberNinja Gaidenthanks to its console trilogies. The first threeNinja Gaidengames on NES stand as some of the most challenging and demanding action-platformers of all-time, and the same can be said of the series' revival as a character action game during the 6th and 7th console generations. After a long period of dormancy, Team Ninja would rebirth theNinja Gaidenfranchise with an initial game on Xbox, following it up with two sequels for the Xbox 360 and Wii U. And, thanks to Team Ninja’s pivot into its own brand of Soulslikes,Ninja Gaiden’s DNA is still felt in the developer’s games more than two decades later.
Considering that theNinja Gaidenfranchise is one that’s always been synonymous with difficulty, it makes sense that its 2004 reboot would follow a similar pattern. It may have borrowed some of the design principles of other character action games at the time (specifically, Capcom’sDevil May Cry), butNinja Gaidenis a much more brutally difficult game, requiring the kind of precision and technical skill of a fighter as opposed to a traditional action title. In the years since its release and subsequent sequels, the spirit of 2004’sNinja Gaidenis clearly felt inTeam Ninja’s modern games.
How Ninja Gaiden Would Lay the Groundwork for Nioh and Wo Long
Long before the term “Soulslike” had entered the gaming lexicon (and 5 years before FromSoftware would release the progenitor of all things Souls withDemon’s Souls), the reboot of theNinja Gaidenfranchise on Xbox would exhibit many of the qualities fans now consider going hand-in-hand withthe Soulslike genre. Sure, the title owed a heavy debt of gratitude to the burgeoning character action genre and games likeDevil May Cry, but Team Ninja (under direction of designer Tomonobu Itagaki) would moldNinja Gaideninto its own unique spin on the formula, with the series' trademark difficulty in tow. As a result,Ninja Gaidenwalked so thatNiohcould run.
Ninja Gaiden (2004) is Like a Soulslike Prophecy
Many of the mechanics that players now associate with Soulslikes (specifically, Team Ninja’s own unique brand of Soulslike) are present in 2004’sNinja Gaiden. Players need to embrace Ryu’s speed and fluidity, being careful about their positioning and ready at a moment’s notice to cancel a combo string or switch gears mid-fight to deal with a new threat. Additionally, players can make use of invincibility frames to exploit enemy behaviors and earn the chance to fight another day. Ultimately, though,Ninja Gaiden’s combat shares more in common with the ultra-high skill ceiling of a fighting game, and it’s something that Team Ninja has continued to implement inboth of theNiohtitlesandWo Long: Fallen Dynasty.
Thanks to Ninja Gaiden’s Continued Influence, a Modern Reboot is a No-Brainer
The Soulslike subgenre of action-RPGs is arguably stronger than it ever has been, with plenty of non-FromSoftware studios now producing games that hold their own againstthe likes ofDark Souls,Bloodborne, andSekiro. Among these, Team Ninja’s games continue to have their own unique identity as being incredibly fast, offering plenty of diversity in character builds through expansive gear systems, and featuring combat that incorporates multiple levels of depth through move-cancelling, stance-switching, and the all-important parry mechanic. Essentially, all of Team Ninja’s games continue to carry the torch forNinja Gaiden.
With Team Ninja about to release its latest game, the historical epicRise of the Ronin, the studio’s next project is up in the air but has a clear direction to go in. 20 years after the franchise’s revival as a character action game, it’s arguably the perfect time for Team Ninja to come full circle and developaNinja GaidenSoulslikeutilizing all of its experience over the past several years. Ryu Hayabusa is one of the more legendary video game protagonists and theNinja Gaidenseries' influence continues to reverberate into the modern era, making it high time for a comeback.
Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection
WHERE TO PLAY
Enjoy 3 games from the NINJA GAIDEN series in this one title.Each title is still just as fun as you remember while providing the same high speed action of the original releases.Look forward to heated battles with fearsome opponents!In addition to Ryu Hayabusa, 4 other characters, Ayane, Rachel, Momiji, and Kasumi, are also playable. You can create a tag team with your favorite characters and freely swap out the playable character during battles.※The heroines included in this title are the same as the original versions. In addition, the characters that are playable and scenes (modes) vary for each title.All of the previously released game modes and DLC costumes for each title are included in this one set. In addition to Ryu Hayabusa, each of the other characters also have many different costumes to choose from, allowing you to enjoy action packed battles in whichever outfit you prefer.Included TitlesNINJA GAIDEN ΣNINJA GAIDEN Σ2NINJA GAIDEN 3: Razor’s EdgeOnline multiplayer is not available for the “TAG MISSIONS” in NINJA GAIDEN Σ2.The “Shadow of the world” “Clan battle” for NINJA GAIDEN 3 Razer’s Edge is not included.Online multiplayer is not available for “ninja trials”.“NINJA GAIDEN Σ2” and “NINJA GAIDEN 3: Razor’s Edge” are also available in Traditional Chinese.[About NINJA GAIDEN Σ]In addition to being able to pull off unmatched dazzling techniques with “Ryu Hayabusa”, a young ninja who has inherited the ninja arts of the Hayabusa style, with beautiful stages in a westernized Japan embellished with spirit-world motifs, and more, the game is packed with features that are a must-play for any fan of action games.■The epic story can easily be enjoyed with “Hero Mode"When you select the difficulty setting “Hero Mode”, Hero Mode is triggered when your health becomes low. With Hero Mode, you will guard and evade automatically, and can unleash ninpo as much as you want. Even casual action gamers will be able to feel the heroic thrill of escaping a pinch to turn the tables on the enemy and advance the game. Needless to say, difficulty modes that will satisfy hard-core gamers are also included.[About NINJA GAIDEN Σ2]Become Ryu Hayabusa, the ninja who inherited the “Dragon Sword”, a legendary blade, and once again experience high-speed ninja action in which you face battles all over the world. The game is also packed with additional features such as “Hero Mode”, a mode in which the player will guard automatically when they are in a pinch.■In “NINJA RACE”, life or death depends on speed"NINJA RACE” is a mode in which you must race across the map within the time limit while fighting high-speed battles. In this mode, the number of enemies you defeat in succession is counted as your “CHAIN”, and by stringing together a high chain, your attack power will increase dramatically. Also, you can pick up speed-up and time increasing items along the way, so attacking non-stop, defeating enemies as fast as possible, and gathering items will be essential to your strategy.■Along with Hayabusa, 3 heroines dazzlingly dash about the battlefieldHeroines from the “NINJA GAIDEN” series, “Ayane”, “Rachel”, and “Momiji” appear as playable characters. With “TAG MISSIONS”, players can select 2 characters from among Hayabusa and the 3 heroines, allowing them to switch between 2 playable characters as they complete their mission.[About NINJA GAIDEN 3: Razor’s Edge]The ultimate high-speed ninja action has returned! The game offers both extreme “challenge”, along with an equally extreme “sense of accomplishment”. Experience the series' most alluring high-speed action.■In addition to Ryu Hayabusa, Ayane, Kasumi, and Momiji join the battle!In addition to main character “Ryu Hayabusa”, the 3 female ninjas “Ayane”, “Kasumi”, and “Momiji” can be used as playable characters. And they aren’t limited to just the “Chapter Challenge” story missions - the 3 characters can also be used in “NINJA TRIALS”. Also, “NINJA GAIDEN” series heroine Ayane has a dedicated story.■Thrilling battles where you must be constantly alert"Tests of Valor", a special phase for series fans who want to enjoy battles even further, have been included. In each chapter, there are hidden skulls that serve as gates to “Test of Valor” areas. By stepping foot onto these areas, battles will occur where players must face the fiercest and strongest enemies from the “NINJA GAIDEN” series.■Upgrading char
