My Words On:

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:

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

Voice acting/Audio: I would like to say that I am on the same notion in regards to this section from my original score. Though I can't believe I seem to have missed it but, there is a familiar voice in here from a very loved game of mine! Mizuki, the female supporting role is none other than the voice of Liara T'sonni. Easy to distinguish her voice since she made very little(or was told to) to shift her voice to the role of this character.

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

Currently...

Dead Or Alive 5....

Dead Or Alive 5 is now in my possession... and While I am not the most adept in regards to this franchise, I will say that its fun factor is pretty high up there. Now the obvious thing about this game aside from the fact that it can be a rather entertaining installment to my ps3...

It offers enough fan service, to say the least! One that involves the defiance of physics... But don't let that fool you. It isn't the MAIN reason why I play it... though...

Mass Effect 3

The show still goes on. I am currently still working on capturing videos for my music video "Fire Fly". Now, while I do adore the game and no words would suffice to describe that notion, I think I will stop it at Rannoch... since I did capture the ending scenes through my past endeavors with the game. Although, I might wait til after November when the Mass Effect trilogy is in my hands.... Don't know.

The AVENGERS

I have a project that will involve this movie. Another Music Video, perhaps? Yes! That is rather correct. Though the full idea is sparse and not as tangible as my Mass Effect idea. Truth to be told, I don't even know what music to play to knit together with this movie... though I do have some of the scenes already captured! Oh well....

My Words On:

Story/Plot: Ryu Hayabusa is a murderer. A ninja who has taken lives of many lackeys and demons that has crossed his path with the sword that he wields gracefully in his right hand. The blood in his veins, the Dragon Ninja, is the ever so dashing Angel of Death for all evil doers and only he can wield the Dragon Sword. But that's not all he is right? He can have a human side, maybe one day settle down have a wife and kid? Maybe. A group called the Lords Of Alchemy decides to come up with the master plan of using his blood to create a Goddess that would perform catharsis on the world. The goddess needed a host so they use a young girl that Ryu met in this whole ordeal. Torn between his cold blooded murder side and his human side, Ryu was given a reminder of his true 'colors' when the curse called 'the Grip of Murder' was placed upon his right arm, breaking the Dragon Sword into him. Now he must go through the world with the anguish of every soul he has slain while all at the same time trying to thwart the possibility of the world succumbing to LOA's concept of 'a whole new world'.

Truth to be told, the story is cliche and not really well played out. The concept isn't the worst idea, but the combination of other flaws within the game made the story not so appealing.

4/10


Gameplay: Well the game throughout its short lived hours does have its fun filling hack and slash, blood and gore, and the act of using more than pleasing ninja skills to dominate useless lackeys. However the camera angle, the lack of weaponry to gain, the feel of the same redundant killing sequence, not much choice in magic, and then of course the final boss fight becoming nothing more than an easy button sequence gave Ninja Gaiden 3 more than a sour taste to give players who have been fans (or new comers) to the series. You can only cut down an enemy so many times with the same kill until it gets rather dull. And that saying goes the same with the magic spell which you only get a fire based Dragon THE WHOLE entire game.

While incredibly fun at times, it does get rather repetitive. You'll be doing this a lot more  as a task in the game rather than a fun filled chore.

Now while the past two Ninja Gaidens are of course of the same idea of hack away, kill, blood, and dismember, both titles of the past offered a little bit more with the idea of numerous weapons to choose from, the feeling of leveling up, and they even offer different characters to use for a level or two which of course adds to the diversity. Ninja Gaiden 3 offers a point blank insult to the previous games. Perhaps it was the fact that the main huncho left Team Ninja, regardless, it's still not forgivable.


And on a final note, DLC's (some free) are trying to make up for it by adding in some extra weapons; one would question is that why didn't they just do that in the first place. Makes me wonder if this game was released prematurely.


6/10


Grapihcs: The game itself doesn't feel like it had much of a difference from NG2. While the blood shots and the constant drive of a katana through a useless lackey is rather fun filled for those hungry for torsos and limbs being cut, it's not exactly a huge feat when we know what ps3s and Xbox360s are capable of. I was okay with it way back when NG2 came out in 2009 (I believe), but this time around I expected an improvement. Sadly, I was not given that honor and I know a whole lot of others aren't either. While there are some creative visuals (or disturbing, depending on which spectrum you would like to side), it still fails to represent what 'could've' been done.


5/10


Voice Acting/ Audio: Well I would like to say that NG2 didn't impress me with the choice of actors but at the same note it didn't appall me. This game did the exact same thing which of course isn't really a great step for a sequel when it doesn't improve or build up on a certain aspect of its predecessor. Not to mention I have always felt that that Ryu's voice (whether it be the same actor or not, I fail to notice the difference nor care that much to research) sometimes has too much of a somber tone. It would an alright aspect IF we're only talking about the Ryu who is hacking and slashing, but when we try and delve to the more human side of Hayabusa as the game was trying to, it doesn't bode too well. The AI who opposes the gamer seems to lack in dialogue as well which adds to another flaw the game seems to have encountered. Perhaps they were just trying to further highlight the fact that enemies also lack in variety so they all have the right to mimic their comrades? I don't know, but it got rather annoying and disappointing.


Music had the proper excitement level when the battle would start, but it never really did TOO well to stick out in the end. Yeah it was Ninja'ish and very oriental feel at some point, but to the end of it all it failed to be Ninja Gaiden 3's favorable asset.


4/10


Difficulty: The fair share of enemies and some of the more creative bosses do prove to be a minor challenge when going through the games 'normal' mode. There are a lot of enemies that come parading in Ryu's way and the action doesn't lack. But the credit to the main reason as to why the game is sometimes tedious is not to the enemies completely, I'd have to say that at times the camera angle plays against good tactics. Sometimes I find myself not being able to get a clear view on who or what is around me to properly survey my next move. The fact that there is no real 'locking' tool that allows you to focus on an enemy makes the act of fighting a bit more tedious than it has to be. In a game that you control a ninja, moving around is a MUST and when you stray away from your opponent for a moment, there should be some sort of button to allow one to refocus that attention back. Unfortunately there isn't one.


While my experience only lies on the default difficulty, I would imagine on a much higher level that the enemies would swarm with better tactics, have more health, can take more health, and perhaps would come with more back up. You take that into consideration with the game's faulty camera, lack of real character development (gameplay wise), and the lack of variety of weapons (which decreases the idea of more tactics), well I believe it would be a safe bet to say that the game would be both challenging and a real task.


4/10


Overall: It's pretty obvious from the way I have given the scores that this game doesn't do too well within my rosters of games. I was honestly thinking that this game had a lot of potential, and MAYBE through the means of DLC that it could get better. But come on, let's be honest, if a game depends on content for a gamer to either wait to download and possibly pay, then the game itself wasn't very good to begin with. It would make it seem like it wasn't finished to begin with but it was brought out to the public just to either meet deadline or no one really cared about the gamers' point of view. So with the story completely failing to be an incentive, gameplay weakened compared to its previous titles, graphics never really improved, music and audio one of its shame, and a tedious hack and slash at times where the camera plays a factor on beating a level, well I dare say that this game is probably on a list if I make one at the end of the year as 'biggest disappointment'.

Still, seeing Momiji in action and Ayane did bring a smile since I am a sucker for good looking Kunoichis. If they become playable, well, it might have a bit more of a '.5' addition to the final score.

4.5/10