I-Ninja
- Developer
- Argonaut Games
- Publisher
- Namco
- Genre
- Action
- Players
- 1
- Rated
- Teen
- Released
- 12/04/2003
7.8out of 10gameplay 6 · visuals 8 · audio 8 · value 9
I-Ninja
Platform games have been around even as far back as when Nintendo’s first home console was king, and everyone was basking in 8-bit glory. Though many other styles of games have popped up throughout the years, platformers have always been right up there with them. Although Namco’s latest instalment into this genre, I-Ninja, has borrowed a lot of key aspects from other games, it has also brought a lot of original ideas to the table; and besides, who doesn’t love Ninjas?
In the opening scene we find our little buddy ‘Ninja’, sneaking around enemy territory. He comes in contact with a ‘rage stone’, goes completely insane, and proceeds to cut off his Sensei’s head. Your Sensei, who doesn’t really seem to care he is now dead, telling you about an army of evil Ninjas who you must go and destroy, and then you are on your way. Although the story never really breaks away from this strange story line that really doesn’t make much sense at all, the cut scenes look great and are quite humorous to watch if your not too worried about what is actually suppose to be going on.
As you would expect from a Ninja, he has a belt, and everyone knows there are different coloured belts, and I-Ninja does not make an exception. You will start the game off as a white belt, and be given an average Katana. The doors that take you through to each level also have colours on them, and if your belt is not as high, or higher than the doors colour, your Sensei will deem you unready to challenge this level. This is by no means an original idea, but it is one that still works perfectly to stop you racing ahead. After successfully completing a level you will be given a grade, which is a coin. There is a meter and when you fill your meter with coins you get the next belt in the ranking. There is also a meter for how many bad guys you kill, and when you fill that one up, you get a new weapon.
The graphics in I-Ninja are great. The game really shows off its creativity in the unique visual style; I-Ninja goes for a smooth cartoonish sort of look, which has been executed perfectly and works great for itself. If you were to zoom into some parts of the landscape, it might become pixalated, but it’s nothing to worry about. Sound is one of the places I-Ninja does lack slightly, as all it is, is a few techno beats here and there. Some of the tunes you may find quite catchy, but overall they are nothing spectacular.
Gameplay is where I-Ninja soars above all the other generic platformers; with its huge variety it is sure to have something for everyone. Surprisingly, Super Monkey Ball seems to be a large inspiration in this game, so those few extra hours of playing Super Monkey Ball will definitely come in handy when trying to make the grade. After you have completed a level, you will need to go back and beat it again, twice, but this time, doing different things along the way to the end. This may be for instance, collecting 10 red coins, and beating the level in a certain amount of time. The timed missions can get very frustrating at times, but if you find the quickest passage through, it is not impossible. Some may be turned off by the idea of having to do each level 3 times, but all the levels are very well laid out, and most of the time you won’t mind going through a couple of times. Two problems that I-Ninja has is that it is first of all, not a very long game, and you will be done with it in anywhere from a couple of days to a week, and also, because of the fact that you are forced to play each level at least 3 times, there is not much replay value, as sometimes you might be relieved to actually move on to other levels.
I-Ninja is a great game and Namco has done an excellent job at putting it together. Flaws are not unexpected but you should not let yourself be put of from playing the game because of them. The graphics are nice and the gameplay is full of variety. Every Platform gamer should look out for I-Ninja, and this Holiday season, it is definitely one for the Christmas lists.
- Michael Caswell
Click here to view I-Ninja video 1!
This video clip shows varied styles of gameplay throughout I-Ninja.
Total time: O:32 / Size: 3.59 MB
Click here to view I-Ninja video 2!
This video shows off lots of variety in gameplay and lots of ninja ass kickings. Check it out now
Total time: O:51 / Size: 5.41 MB
Platform games have been around even as far back as when Nintendo’s first home console was king, and everyone was basking in 8-bit glory. Though many other styles of games have popped up throughout the years, platformers have always been right up there with them. Although Namco’s latest instalment into this genre, I-Ninja, has borrowed a lot of key aspects from other games, it has also brought a lot of original ideas to the table; and besides, who doesn’t love Ninjas?
In the opening scene we find our little buddy ‘Ninja’, sneaking around enemy territory. He comes in contact with a ‘rage stone’, goes completely insane, and proceeds to cut off his Sensei’s head. Your Sensei, who doesn’t really seem to care he is now dead, telling you about an army of evil Ninjas who you must go and destroy, and then you are on your way. Although the story never really breaks away from this strange story line that really doesn’t make much sense at all, the cut scenes look great and are quite humorous to watch if your not too worried about what is actually suppose to be going on.
As you would expect from a Ninja, he has a belt, and everyone knows there are different coloured belts, and I-Ninja does not make an exception. You will start the game off as a white belt, and be given an average Katana. The doors that take you through to each level also have colours on them, and if your belt is not as high, or higher than the doors colour, your Sensei will deem you unready to challenge this level. This is by no means an original idea, but it is one that still works perfectly to stop you racing ahead. After successfully completing a level you will be given a grade, which is a coin. There is a meter and when you fill your meter with coins you get the next belt in the ranking. There is also a meter for how many bad guys you kill, and when you fill that one up, you get a new weapon.
The graphics in I-Ninja are great. The game really shows off its creativity in the unique visual style; I-Ninja goes for a smooth cartoonish sort of look, which has been executed perfectly and works great for itself. If you were to zoom into some parts of the landscape, it might become pixalated, but it’s nothing to worry about. Sound is one of the places I-Ninja does lack slightly, as all it is, is a few techno beats here and there. Some of the tunes you may find quite catchy, but overall they are nothing spectacular.
Gameplay is where I-Ninja soars above all the other generic platformers; with its huge variety it is sure to have something for everyone. Surprisingly, Super Monkey Ball seems to be a large inspiration in this game, so those few extra hours of playing Super Monkey Ball will definitely come in handy when trying to make the grade. After you have completed a level, you will need to go back and beat it again, twice, but this time, doing different things along the way to the end. This may be for instance, collecting 10 red coins, and beating the level in a certain amount of time. The timed missions can get very frustrating at times, but if you find the quickest passage through, it is not impossible. Some may be turned off by the idea of having to do each level 3 times, but all the levels are very well laid out, and most of the time you won’t mind going through a couple of times. Two problems that I-Ninja has is that it is first of all, not a very long game, and you will be done with it in anywhere from a couple of days to a week, and also, because of the fact that you are forced to play each level at least 3 times, there is not much replay value, as sometimes you might be relieved to actually move on to other levels.
I-Ninja is a great game and Namco has done an excellent job at putting it together. Flaws are not unexpected but you should not let yourself be put of from playing the game because of them. The graphics are nice and the gameplay is full of variety. Every Platform gamer should look out for I-Ninja, and this Holiday season, it is definitely one for the Christmas lists.
- Michael Caswell
Click here to view I-Ninja video 1!
This video clip shows varied styles of gameplay throughout I-Ninja.
Total time: O:32 / Size: 3.59 MB
Click here to view I-Ninja video 2!
This video shows off lots of variety in gameplay and lots of ninja ass kickings. Check it out now
Total time: O:51 / Size: 5.41 MB