This is also a somewhat new way of reviewing since this game is a 'revamped' version of a game I abhor with a passion from last year. So some of these sections may be terse in words or I may just be citing the older review because they didn't change much.
Ninja Gaiden 3 Original Review
Story/Plot:
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| Nothing new; same old song. |
I will keep the same score on this one since the story had very little flare to it in my opinion. Seems to be a whole hell of a lot more moronic Shinobi discussion from what I remembered. Though the very sparse addition of Ayane's point of view adds a little bit of smirk within me since I am enamored by the highly too immaculate visage of such kunoichis. Wish Kasumi and Momiji had their own story line or at least Ayane having a few more levels for her than just two.
4/10
Gameplay: Some of the things that were really lacking in the original release of NG3 was what made the second one really fun and that is the various weapons that can be accessed on the whim. The original NG3 only had a Katana to be used and only one magic to use which made it rather insipid and repetitive thus becoming BORING even for someone like me who enjoys such mindless hack and slash. Thankfully Razor's Edge brought back the assortment of weapons(most of it, I believe two are missing like the Tonfa and the Chain Nunchuks) which is of course makes Ryu's endeavor far more enamoring!
The addition of 'level up' was also added and far more intricate than NG2 where one can only pretty much implement addition to Ryu's weapons through Muramasa's shop. Health and ninpo(magic) can also be upgraded as well by accumulating 'karma' points. These said points vary in regards to how one performs in battle, combination, kills, etc. etc. There is also an overall grading system at the end of the level which again will vary in regards to how one does in the said level; One can pretty much customize him/herself since techniques can also be bought as well as costumes! For obvious reasons, Hayabusa's skill grid is much more meticulous than the ladies'. But again, implementing this is prudent since last year's version of this game was really lacking in variety!
As I already had stated more than once, Hayabusa has some extra cast to join the fray of disemboweling creatures and spider ninjas alike! Ayane, Kasumi, and Momiji will be the femme fatale of Ninja Gaiden 3 Razor's Edge and that to me is more than a plus! I enjoyed Ayane and Momiji a whole lot in the prior game and having them once again as playable characters(even if Momiji and Kasumi are only through trials and level challenges) is indeed a way to add some zest in a game that was lacking so much. With Kasumi being a fresh new playable face in the Ninja Gaiden series, it only elates me even more to say that using her adds a definite longevity for one who is highly enthused with this kind of gameplay and/or is a big fan of the recent Ninja Gaiden games.
While in the grand scheme of things the four players all have one canon playability, they do offer a very distinct difference in the way they perform; timing, combinations, and range all have a key influence in their performance. While their speed may all be equal to an extent, I know for sure that Momiji isn't as translucent with enemies as say Kasumi is. Also some of their skills and abilities create a gap in their similarity; which in turn goes hand and hand in the fun factor of the said kunoichis.
I guess one can fathom the distinction of each character like Ryu's weapons. All of them have a very basic functionality and button configuration, but claws and scythe do not play in the same exuberance one bit! One relies terse combos and heavy hitting long range capability while the other is up close and personal and very erratic in movement. That's the easiest way to really say about Ayane, Momiji, Kasumi, and Ryu.
But as I have mentioned, the downside with the addition of these two is that only Ayane gets a part in the campaign as a playable character. That may seem like solace for some however her miniscule part(two levels to be exact) doesn't entirely do that much justice to the flow of the original game's condition. Still, having unlimited access to all four characters during Ninja trials and chapter challenges isn't something to ignore(may I add there could be one customized Shinobi? Isn't really much, but I guess the character count is five not four). That's still an improvement in contrast to NG3.
The improvements from the original version of Ninja Gaiden 3 are leaps and bounds but forgive me for not being zealous when comparing it to the second game. They didn't do too much and the reason why I am so enamored with Razor's Edge is because it is almost an immaculate twin of Ninja Gaiden 2. So thumbs up for bringing it back to its roots, thumbs down for not ascending any higher. But I will give it the praise and a good score because I am addicted with the trials and the chapter challenges. All in all, it's fun! That's all that matters!
8/10
Graphics: I have no idea why I was so harsh in regards to my scrutinizing with the original game. Maybe I'll point out the whole 'not-so-different-from-Ninja-Gaiden-2' statement. Graphically, it still looks like the game before it so that part isn't entirely a good thing but to me it doesn't exactly makes the game abhorrent. Tecmo spends a lot of time on their exasperated women like Ayane and Kasumi so that part I won't shun down. I can appreciate them, though they could tone down on the the bouncing breasts! 
Cut scenes are something to nod my head. Palatable for the eyes and they do the aesthetics of bloody anime justice. The in game combat graphics are vibrant when going with the special affects but gruesomely bloody when the Ninjas do their visceral line of work. To chime in with the art of affects, the enemies sometimes have a good flavor to them but the words 'sometimes' is a prominent factor since zest mostly lies with bosses rather than the minions. For the most part, minions are recolored and they recycled enemies from the second Ninja Gaiden. Common thread with the rapport of the two games seems like. The environment can stand on the same notion as the enemies; sometimes enthused with effort while there are more than enough areas that seems rather bland or not exactly the type to elicit an awe factor.
Perhaps the biggest downside of Ninja Gaiden 3(both original and Razor's Edge) is that the visuals don't exactly hurt the eyes. It's actually a bit pass mediocre. What is detrimental is that once again, the second and the third game doesn't have a distinct(if there is at all) difference. Again, it's good in some ways, but in the grand scheme of things, no improvement isn't a great thing. With that said!
7/10
Other than that the cast of voice actors aren't all that memorable. Momiji's voice seems to be different from the second game and I wasn't really a big fan of it. Ayane's was mediocre; fits her character well enough and Kasumi barely had any dialogue. Mere grunting and such are the only thing that omits from Kasumi and Ryu Hayabusa talked too damn much for a Ninja. Audio itself was alright; same ambiance as Ninja Gaiden 2, so all in all, wasn't exactly the highlight of this game even with Razor's Edge addition. Though the score will be slightly better for this game.
5/10
Difficulty: I remember the last game's rather moronic AIs. Aside from a few bosses in the last version, Ninja Gaiden 3 seemed like a step down from its former stature of difficulty. The qualms of the hardcore fans of Ninja Gaiden must've reached the right ears since Razor's Edge delivers challenges and frustrations. While the bosses that kept their difficulty caliber in this version, the minions have a bit more of an intelligence and they are harder to hit. Specific enemies have certain armory or protection that makes them invulnerable against certain techniques that the Ninjas have.
What the last version made Ninja Gaiden to be just a mere hack and slash, this version made sure that what must astutely be aware of how to go about a certain crowd or a lone enemy before rushing in because death would be a most likely outcome. While the usual flow of the campaign usually has areas where life will be replenished in full so dying isn't as much of a result, the ninja trials are indeed where it would be behoove for players to really pick how they would eliminate their enemies and how they go about with things. While the acolyte level offer mediocre challenges, the next ones after are a bit strenuous and for someone like me isn't exactly a one time deal unless I get 'luck'.
Overall, I really like what they did with the difficulty and the challenge is funner since there are more options and variations to delve into. I wish they did that the first time around so I wouldn't have elaborated just how much of a debacle the last version was!
8/10
Overall:
The first version I tried with vehemence to enjoy. I played through the game thinking, wishing, and rooting for he innuendo of improvement. Alas it wasn't what I had hoped for. It's highly plausible that it's too late for reconciliation for a lot of people with this game even with the modifications, but at least for me it gave a bit of joy that there was some solace to be taken in a game that I was/am a huge fan of. Does it take the addition of sensual characters to be playable to get redemption for me? No. Well, yes in a way, but not entirely.
At the end of the day, I look at a game that was bad and how much I played it then compare it to the newest version and suffice to say I gave this game, still giving this game a lot of time. Now was it exactly wise to spend about half the price of the original for this one? Probably not. But if I'm going to be playing it for a bit then it assuages the double buying I just performed.
7.5/10
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