AOE Enforcer's Verdict on Ninja Gaiden: Worth the Wait?

[AOE Enforcer]

Well, I have had ample opportunity and over 6 hours of my life invested into this game so far and feel that I need to tell everyone on System Wars how this game fares IMO. So let's get going.

Story The storyline in the game is pretty good. Ryu's village gets wiped out by the Vigoor empire and he seeks revenge. That's the basic gist of it. Ryu starts the game off in more "traditional" full-body ninja attire. However, after getting sliced & diced by a giant Samurai warrior who steals the sacred sword, Ryu dons his black battle armor-type suit. Unfortunately, the opening level has you fighting your uncle who looks nothing like an Oriental person for starters, but more like a WWF wrestler. Itagaki also felt it necessary to throw in DOA's Ayane for T&A effect.

Gameplay This is where the game falters. First, it is insanely difficult. I have seen the "game over" screen more times than I care to remember at this point. The game is hindered by one of the worst cameras in recent memory (ie since the 32-bit days). It sits too far back and too low behind Ryu to be useful. Where Shinobi (similar style game) lets players change the angle & rotate the camera manually with the right analog stick, Ninja Gaiden's controls put you into a First-person view mode when you move the right stick. The only way to move the camera in a useful fashion is to push the right trigger which auto-centers the camera. This piss-poor camera leads to many frustrating losses of energy when you can't even see around a corner, but some random bad-guy is already capping your ass with a grenade launcher or whatever.

You will find that even the most basic of enemies is entirely too difficult. They will attack in pairs and when one gets a shot in on you, you are stunned for a moment allowing the others to get numerous cheap hits in on you. Of particular frustration is when you are stunned, only to have one of your enemies slice your throat which knocks about 1/4th of your health off. :mad: And like I said, these are just your everyday run-of-the-mill baddies.

Bosses take on a whole new level of frustration. The first boss who is your decidedly un-oriental uncle with the Nunchakus is bad enough, but the second boss who is a giant demon-dude riding on a giant-demon-dude-horse is worse. Here's the rundown on this fight.

1) You are on a narrow bridge, blocked at both ends.
2) Respawning enemies that shoot blue fireballs at you bug the piss out of you.
3) The giant demon-dude on a giant demon-dude horse charges at you, his horse kicks you, he swings his spear at you and sometimes drags your sorry carcass around and then hurls you through the air.
4) Now, this isn't so bad were it not for the horrific camera that always manages to face the wrong direction no matter which way you are facing. Forget special attacks here, you don't have time to charge them up with the blue fireball hurling morons constantly bombarding you.

Another very annoying aspect of the game is how you save and buy items. There are these dragon-head statues located very sparesly throughout the game where you save. You WILL find yourself constantly backtracking to save, even after only minor skirmishes with 2-3 run-of-the-mill enemies. This is because as stated before, these guys will kill you quickly. You have no choice but to backtrack and save right after every little battle!

My problem with the buying of items is that the game explains to you that some dork had statues of himself built all over the place in the past. Obviously, someone is still erecting them in the present because you will even find them in high-tech locales like the Vigoor airship. :rolleyes: And just how are you buying these items from an ugly block of rock anyway? :confused:

The next problem up is getting to play those wonderful NES classics. According to the game, just to unlock the first NES Gaiden game, you have to collect something like 20 gold Scarabs. So far on level four, I have only found two of them. This level is so difficult and has me so pissed, I can't imagine what it's going to be like trying to get 18 more of them!

All in all, I am enjoying the game. It's alot of fun. But my elation with the title that I so hoped would be a defining moment for Xbox and justify my purchase of the system is over. This is not a game for anyone less than masochistic and is definitely not a game worth spening the dough to buy a console for. For a game that took so long in development to be "perfected" it should have been so much more. Even setting my minor quibbles with the title aside, some of the design aspects and difficulty-tuning are highly questionable. The camera is absolutely unforgivable.

In these respects, I would have to give Shinobi a nod as the better 128-bit "ninja game." Shinobi has better controls, better moves and a much more user-friendly camera system. And this is coming from a guy who says to this day that the original Ninja Gaiden trilogy kicked the crap out of the Shinobi games of that time.

[Gadfly2317]

Well, I have had ample opportunity and over 6 hours of my life invested into this game so far and feel that I need to tell everyone on System Wars how this game fares IMO. So let's get going.

Story The storyline in the game is pretty good. Ryu's village gets wiped out by the Vigoor empire and he seeks revenge. That's the basic gist of it. Ryu starts the game off in more "traditional" full-body ninja attire. However, after getting sliced & diced by a giant Samurai warrior who steals the sacred sword, Ryu dons his black battle armor-type suit. Unfortunately, the opening level has you fighting your uncle who looks nothing like an Oriental person for starters, but more like a WWF wrestler. Itagaki also felt it necessary to throw in DOA's Ayane for T&A effect.

Gameplay This is where the game falters. First, it is insanely difficult. I have seen the "game over" screen more times than I care to remember at this point. The game is hindered by one of the worst cameras in recent memory (ie since the 32-bit days). It sits too far back and too low behind Ryu to be useful. Where Shinobi (similar style game) lets players change the angle & rotate the camera manually with the right analog stick, Ninja Gaiden's controls put you into a First-person view mode when you move the right stick. The only way to move the camera in a useful fashion is to push the right trigger which auto-centers the camera. This piss-poor camera leads to many frustrating losses of energy when you can't even see around a corner, but some random bad-guy is already capping your ass with a grenade launcher or whatever.

You will find that even the most basic of enemies is entirely too difficult. They will attack in pairs and when one gets a shot in on you, you are stunned for a moment allowing the others to get numerous cheap hits in on you. Of particular frustration is when you are stunned, only to have one of your enemies slice your throat which knocks about 1/4th of your health off. :mad: And like I said, these are just your everyday run-of-the-mill baddies.

Bosses take on a whole new level of frustration. The first boss who is your decidedly un-oriental uncle with the Nunchakus is bad enough, but the second boss who is a giant demon-dude riding on a giant-demon-dude-horse is worse. Here's the rundown on this fight.

1) You are on a narrow bridge, blocked at both ends.
2) Respawning enemies that shoot blue fireballs at you bug the piss out of you.
3) The giant demon-dude on a giant demon-dude horse charges at you, his horse kicks you, he swings his spear at you and sometimes drags your sorry carcass around and then hurls you through the air.
4) Now, this isn't so bad were it not for the horrific camera that always manages to face the wrong direction no matter which way you are facing. Forget special attacks here, you don't have time to charge them up with the blue fireball hurling morons constantly bombarding you.

Another very annoying aspect of the game is how you save and buy items. There are these dragon-head statues located very sparesly throughout the game where you save. You WILL find yourself constantly backtracking to save, even after only minor skirmishes with 2-3 run-of-the-mill enemies. This is because as stated before, these guys will kill you quickly. You have no choice but to backtrack and save right after every little battle!

My problem with the buying of items is that the game explains to you that some dork had statues of himself built all over the place in the past. Obviously, someone is still erecting them in the present because you will even find them in high-tech locales like the Vigoor airship. :rolleyes: And just how are you buying these items from an ugly block of rock anyway? :confused:

The next problem up is getting to play those wonderful NES classics. According to the game, just to unlock the first NES Gaiden game, you have to collect something like 20 gold Scarabs. So far on level four, I have only found two of them. This level is so difficult and has me so pissed, I can't imagine what it's going to be like trying to get 18 more of them!

All in all, I am enjoying the game. It's alot of fun. But my elation with the title that I so hoped would be a defining moment for Xbox and justify my purchase of the system is over. This is not a game for anyone less than masochistic and is definitely not a game worth spening the dough to buy a console for. For a game that took so long in development to be "perfected" it should have been so much more. Even setting my minor quibbles with the title aside, some of the design aspects and difficulty-tuning are highly questionable. The camera is absolutely unforgivable.

In these respects, I would have to give Shinobi a nod as the better 128-bit "ninja game." Shinobi has better controls, better moves and a much more user-friendly camera system. And this is coming from a guy who says to this day that the original Ninja Gaiden trilogy kicked the crap out of the Shinobi games of that time.

Hey. . . you kinda dissapeared after this game came out; I was just getting ready to PM you this morning and make sure you hadn't developed crippling arthritis from this game, you know, and couldn't type to tell us what you thought.

I know you were really looking fwd to this game, so its kind of a bummer to hear you find it dissapointing in so many respects. I wasn't really looking fwd to this game at all since I hadn't played the NES games, and I'm not a huge action fan. But I'm pretty much digging this game. Yeah, the camera has problems, but I don't know. I'm getting pretty used to it most of the time.

As far as difficulty, it wasn't seeming too bad to me, at least until after the Airship crash when you start infiltrating the capitol city. Now, being difficult is fine, but an uneven save system is just inexcusable. If you can't just save anywhere, there should at least be even placement of save points, like in Metroid Prime (there was only one place in that game where you had to go like 1/2 hour between them.) This isn't just about difficulty, but like yesterday, I was playing and doing really good, but I had to turn it off and go to work. It was THAT FAR between save points. Unless I missed something, you don't get your first save point until you reach Hal's Bar, and even your first shop for supplies isn't until right before you reach the bar.

You know how gamecritics.com does a "second impressions" column, where several months later they review a game again without the hype, and sometimes a game will score higher with age, and sometimes it will score lower. I feel pretty sure NG got rated just a bit high, but I'd still call it a solid 89. I was blown away at first, the action is intense, its gorgeous, and its fun. But it has too many problems (which you pointed out) to deserve some of the 95-100 scores its been getting.

Oh, by the way, you mention the respawning enemies in the horse level, and the need to back track to save after minor skirmishes. This doesn't work in the capital city. The enemies respawn BIG TIME. Now, it is a city, so at least it makes more sense for enemies to continue to show up, but I've left an area with dead enemies, leave it, return immediately, and the same stupid three or four guys are there. This wasn't the case in the first couple levels, so you COULD back track to save, but doing it in the later levels, you're wasting your time because you're just going to have to fight your way back through everyone you've already killed.

Oh well, enough *****ing about cameras and level design and the miles and miles between save points. I'm having a blast, and doing much better at this than I would have expected from hearing how hard everyone thinks it is. After some of the headaches, it was a nice reward to finally get to the big-breasted hottie in the kinky latex/rubber outfit.

Dealing with multiple enemies complaint: you just have to move around a lot, use the defense and the roll, and jump off the walls. When you know a group of guys is coming up, run along the wall, and then smash down hard right in the middle of them and stun them all, then just wail away with your nunchukas. And get as many combos as you can and finish with something big like a charge attack, and it when they die they'll leave behind larger essense balls. But I know what your saying, it's bad when they get the drop on you first, and you're trying to deal with one guy while another hangs back and just takes pot shots at you with a gun. Still, because these challenges can be met with the excellent and deep combat system, I'd have to say its worth it for it to be this hard, because you HAVE to learn the combat system really well, and it is extremely rewarding to do so.

After you've played some more, if you have different or changing impressions of this game, I'd love to hear them.

I'll tell you one thing though, after I'm through with this game, I'm damn sure going to be ready to chill out and play a nice, quiet farming game (Harvest Moon comes out on March 17.) All this adrenalin action is making me twitchy.

[MoNkEy MaN X]

AOE, sounds like you have a tough time pressing the L Trigger man. I have no problem whooping up on multiple enemies. Sure at first it is tough, but the old Ninja Gaiden games were really tough at first to. You just have to fight more defensively. Once you learn how to fight and conserve items and whatnot, the game gets less "Throw the controller across the room" feeling.

I think this is the smoothest next gen Ninja game so far. The controls are good, the camera angle works once you learn how to use it, and the graphics and sound are top notch. Shinobi was alright, but I had many complaints, the biggest being the stupid cutscenes when you slice through enemies and Shinobi puts his sword away... I mean, how many times can you show that until the "hey thats cool" factor wears off. Tenchu feels like you are controlling a automobile, not a ninja, always reminds me of Tomb Raider with a ninja.

Anyway, everybody is entitled to their opinions. I do enjoy hearing these "gamers" complain about a game being to hard. I remeber back in the day enemies would always respawn, probably because of memory constraints but it always added difficulty. Well if the game is too hard for you, maybe you should just trade it back in so a more skillful player can give a wack at it at a discount price.

[AOE Enforcer]

Hey. . . you kinda dissapeared after this game came out; I was just getting ready to PM you this morning and make sure you hadn't developed crippling arthritis from this game, you know, and couldn't type to tell us what you thought.

Yeah, the camera has problems, but I don't know. I'm getting pretty used to it most of the time.

As far as difficulty, it wasn't seeming too bad to me, at least until after the Airship crash when you start infiltrating the capitol city. Now, being difficult is fine, but an uneven save system is just inexcusable. If you can't just save anywhere, there should at least be even placement of save points, like in Metroid Prime (there was only one place in that game where you had to go like 1/2 hour between them.) This isn't just about difficulty, but like yesterday, I was playing and doing really good, but I had to turn it off and go to work. It was THAT FAR between save points. Unless I missed something, you don't get your first save point until you reach Hal's Bar, and even your first shop for supplies isn't until right before you reach the bar.

You know how gamecritics.com does a "second impressions" column, where several months later they review a game again without the hype, and sometimes a game will score higher with age, and sometimes it will score lower. I feel pretty sure NG got rated just a bit high, but I'd still call it a solid 89. I was blown away at first, the action is intense, its gorgeous, and its fun. But it has too many problems (which you pointed out) to deserve some of the 95-100 scores its been getting.

Oh, by the way, you mention the respawning enemies in the horse level, and the need to back track to save after minor skirmishes. This doesn't work in the capital city. The enemies respawn BIG TIME. Now, it is a city, so at least it makes more sense for enemies to continue to show up, but I've left an area with dead enemies, leave it, return immediately, and the same stupid three or four guys are there. This wasn't the case in the first couple levels, so you COULD back track to save, but doing it in the later levels, you're wasting your time because you're just going to have to fight your way back through everyone you've already killed.

Oh well, enough *****ing about cameras and level design and the miles and miles between save points. I'm having a blast, and doing much better at this than I would have expected from hearing how hard everyone thinks it is. After some of the headaches, it was a nice reward to finally get to the big-breasted hottie in the kinky latex/rubber outfit.

But I know what your saying, it's bad when they get the drop on you first, and you're trying to deal with one guy while another hangs back and just takes pot shots at you with a gun.



See, you have the same issues with the game as I do. Maybe my "review" seemed a little harsh. But in good conscience, how could I just say something like "this game rulez!!!" and not hit on the parts of the game that are frustrating and points where the game falls short? I would be doing a disservice to my fellow gamers.

You seem to have the exact same opinion of this game as I do Gadfly. Alot of fun, but not deserving of the 100% scores it has received early on. It's a 90% game. It's a game that I will go back to again & again-that is if my Xbox holds out that long. :(

Maybe some of the people accusing me of bias and being "pro-Sony" should take a look at your post-coming from a gamer who doesn't even own a PS2 and see how you have the exact same issues with camera control, save-point placement and cheap-shot enemies as I do.

This game has top-notch production values no doubt. It has the best graphics I have ever laid my retinas upon without question. It has a super-acrobatic Ninja with a bad-ass sword and a good challenge. But the camera hinders the game and the boss battles are cheap as hell.

It's good to hear you are enjoying the game Gadfly. I was wondering where the hell you were when I never saw you online on my AOL Buddy list. You've been the same place I've been: Playing the hell out of this game! BTW...where is the save point around that bar? I went in and talked to the guy, then when I went outside and tried to go through the gate, I got my ass handed to me by multiple grenade-launcher totting bad guys. :mad: That was the point where I reached "controller throwage" rage and subsequently turned the game off for the night.

And please, everyone who is playing this game, give me your comments and suggestions as MonkeyMan and Gadfly have done. Constructive criticism and help is always appreciated, especially when dealing with a game of this difficulty.

And hey "Game", how far are you? It didn't sound like you were very far yesterday when I was reading one of your posts. I'll be nice to you and we can all help each other out on this one. ;)

[Tappy_Tibbons]

Man, if you were to put half of these unskilled gamers on a NES they would quit video games.

The game falters cause you are unskilled? Sorry, but I would prefer a game that CHALLENGES me and has some replay to a boring, easy, simplistic game.

[Darwin]

I read all the comments on gamefaqs before I started the game up. At least half of them were talking about the difficulty. Then I started playing it myself. Yes ... it really is as hard as most people are saying. It's startling at first. This is why I am not even progressing through the game at all. I have now spent about 4 hours in the very first part of the game. I first spent time practicing the moves with noone around. Then, I've been going back and forth from the first save spot to the trapdoor room. I'll clear the room out and then save. Then go back and repeat (repsawning enemies). I have not used any elixers, and am healing from the blue orbs only. If I receive too much damage, I soft reset and then reload from the last save. I've done this about ... I dunno, 30 times now. I'll probably do this for another hour or so, till I feel comfortable in taking on the ninjas. I'll also have a lot of yellow orbs.

I figure if I'm gonna go through the game, I'm gonna need to practice a lot up front. That way, i shouldn't (hopefully) have too much trouble as I progress. I am not naturally skilled at these types of games. I found Devil May Cry to be too hard at times ... and NG is another generation beyond that.

You really have to use planned-out combos almost all the time in Ninja Gaiden, even with the low-level enemies.

[Darwin]

Man, if you were to put half of these unskilled gamers on a NES they would quit video games.

The game falters cause you are unskilled? Sorry, but I would prefer a game that CHALLENGES me and has some replay to a boring, easy, simplistic game.

I wouldn't say that he is unskilled. He's already progressing through the game. Have you played the game yet? It's really freakin hard.

["The Game"Evolution]

See, you have the same issues with the game as I do. Maybe my "review" seemed a little harsh. But in good conscience, how could I just say something like "this game rulez!!!" and not hit on the parts of the game that are frustrating and points where the game falls short? I would be doing a disservice to my fellow gamers.

You seem to have the exact same opinion of this game as I do Gadfly. Alot of fun, but not deserving of the 100% scores it has received early on. It's a 90% game. It's a game that I will go back to again & again-that is if my Xbox holds out that long. :(

Maybe some of the people accusing me of bias and being "pro-Sony" should take a look at your post-coming from a gamer who doesn't even own a PS2 and see how you have the exact same issues with camera control, save-point placement and cheap-shot enemies as I do.

This game has top-notch production values no doubt. It has the best graphics I have ever laid my retinas upon without question. It has a super-acrobatic Ninja with a bad-ass sword and a good challenge. But the camera hinders the game and the boss battles are cheap as hell.

It's good to hear you are enjoying the game Gadfly. I was wondering where the hell you were when I never saw you online on my AOL Buddy list. You've been the same place I've been: Playing the hell out of this game! BTW...where is the save point around that bar? I went in and talked to the guy, then when I went outside and tried to go through the gate, I got my ass handed to me by multiple grenade-launcher totting bad guys. :mad: That was the point where I reached "controller throwage" rage and subsequently turned the game off for the night.

And please, everyone who is playing this game, give me your comments and suggestions as MonkeyMan and Gadfly have done. Constructive criticism and help is always appreciated, especially when dealing with a game of this difficulty.

And hey "Game", how far are you? It didn't sound like you were very far yesterday when I was reading one of your posts. I'll be nice to you and we can all help each other out on this one. ;)

The Red Samurai on the horse was indeed a pain in the ass to beat.But I figured him out.The roll technique and having just enough elixirs is what saved the day against him.Those two annoying sprits shooting at ya actually were another reason why I beat him.(Because when you kill each one they give you a blue circle of health to heal ya up)

Right now I'm on that carrier fighting those guys in the air.So far level 3 at least looks to be the most fun.At least they give you decent save points around that area so far.The first two levels was a headache.

I've been going back and forth playing different games.Plus I'am loving this new KOTOR download.I just may finally beat KOTOR on the good note instead of the bad one.But if you come across anything new or interesting on NG feel free to share with the rest of us Enforcer.I'll do the same.

[Tappy_Tibbons]

nah, I've not played it yet, but I love the hard games, always have always will as long as they are frustratingly hard...for instance, if I die or am damaged in a game, I'd rather at least know why I was damaged and it be fair.

[Gadfly2317]

See, you have the same issues with the game as I do. Maybe my "review" seemed a little harsh. But in good conscience, how could I just say something like "this game rulez!!!" and not hit on the parts of the game that are frustrating and points where the game falls short? I would be doing a disservice to my fellow gamers.

You seem to have the exact same opinion of this game as I do Gadfly. Alot of fun, but not deserving of the 100% scores it has received early on. It's a 90% game. It's a game that I will go back to again & again-that is if my Xbox holds out that long. :(

Maybe some of the people accusing me of bias and being "pro-Sony" should take a look at your post-coming from a gamer who doesn't even own a PS2 and see how you have the exact same issues with camera control, save-point placement and cheap-shot enemies as I do.

This game has top-notch production values no doubt. It has the best graphics I have ever laid my retinas upon without question. It has a super-acrobatic Ninja with a bad-ass sword and a good challenge. But the camera hinders the game and the boss battles are cheap as hell.

It's good to hear you are enjoying the game Gadfly. I was wondering where the hell you were when I never saw you online on my AOL Buddy list. You've been the same place I've been: Playing the hell out of this game! BTW...where is the save point around that bar? I went in and talked to the guy, then when I went outside and tried to go through the gate, I got my ass handed to me by multiple grenade-launcher totting bad guys. :mad: That was the point where I reached "controller throwage" rage and subsequently turned the game off for the night.

And please, everyone who is playing this game, give me your comments and suggestions as MonkeyMan and Gadfly have done. Constructive criticism and help is always appreciated, especially when dealing with a game of this difficulty.

And hey "Game", how far are you? It didn't sound like you were very far yesterday when I was reading one of your posts. I'll be nice to you and we can all help each other out on this one. ;)

The save point at Hal's bar is right after your first kick all those guys asses. . . If you are facing the front door, its directly to the right of the bar, it dead ends at a save. I couldn't believe that was the first save in the freaking city. By the way, as you descend into the city, you know those two towers with the guys sniping you? Did you figure out how to get up there? Start running down the stairs, jump, and run along the wall, then jump again and try to land in the first tower and slaughter the guy. Hard jump to make. Once you do, snipe the other guy with your arrow, and then climb across on the rope. In that chest there is a powerup that will increase your life meter. This helps ALOT. I know as hard as it was the first time I played through this I just ran for it and skipped messing with the snipers. You don't HAVE to take them out, but its worth it. And check every little alley. Watch for sparkles.

And check all the bodies. Have you got the nunchuckas? You can beat some serious ass with those. I like them better than the sword. They also deflect bullets pretty well.

My proudest moment so far was all the way back in the village, beating the guy on the horse. I was stupid. Darwin's got the right idea to be saving up yellow essence and practicing. I just barrelled through the first level really easy, and then got to that horse, couldn't back track and only had 3/4 of a health meter and 1 health potion. Beating the horse guy and his goons with so little was a real accomplishment. I think that is what made the airship seem so easy.

Also, with the scarabs, stop and look around a lot in FP mode. There are places to back flip up to here and there. I've got six scarabs so far, and am getting ready to play chapter five.

This game is torture and punishment. You know why we're loving this game? because we're masochists. If we weren't masochists, what would we be doing haning around sys wars in the first place?

[AOE Enforcer]

Man, if you were to put half of these unskilled gamers on a NES they would quit video games.

The game falters cause you are unskilled? Sorry, but I would prefer a game that CHALLENGES me and has some replay to a boring, easy, simplistic game.

As everyone else including Darwin (who usually has me on his ignore list BTW) has said, this game is one of the hardest games ever made.

I never said the game "falters because I am unskilled" and you obviously misread my post. The game falters because the camera is crap. Sure, you can auto-center it behind you quickly by pressing the right trigger, but it sits too low.

Enemies get too many cheap shots in. Sure, you can block their initial attack, but keep holding the left trigger to block and watch what happens: They swing around behind you and slice your throat, subsequently stealing 1/4th of your health. :mad: And mind you, these are the run-of-the-mill baddies.

[AOE Enforcer]

The save point at Hal's bar is right after your first kick all those guys asses. . . If you are facing the front door, its directly to the right of the bar, it dead ends at a save. I couldn't believe that was the first save in the freaking city. By the way, as you descend into the city, you know those two towers with the guys sniping you? Did you figure out how to get up there? Start running down the stairs, jump, and run along the wall, then jump again and try to land in the first tower and slaughter the guy. Hard jump to make. Once you do, snipe the other guy with your arrow, and then climb across on the rope. In that chest there is a powerup that will increase your life meter. This helps ALOT. I know as hard as it was the first time I played through this I just ran for it and skipped messing with the snipers. You don't HAVE to take them out, but its worth it. And check every little alley. Watch for sparkles.

And check all the bodies. Have you got the nunchuckas? You can beat some serious ass with those. I like them better than the sword. They also deflect bullets pretty well.

My proudest moment so far was all the way back in the village, beating the guy on the horse. I was stupid. Darwin's got the right idea to be saving up yellow essence and practicing. I just barrelled through the first level really easy, and then got to that horse, couldn't back track and only had 3/4 of a health meter and 1 health potion. Beating the horse guy and his goons with so little was a real accomplishment. I think that is what made the airship seem so easy.

Also, with the scarabs, stop and look around a lot in FP mode. There are places to back flip up to here and there. I've got six scarabs so far, and am getting ready to play chapter five.

This game is torture and punishment. You know why we're loving this game? because we're masochists. If we weren't masochists, what would we be doing haning around sys wars in the first place?

I'll check out that save point. I was playing earlier and my aggravation that was near "controller chuckage" level surpassed that. My Controller S subsequently hurtled through the air like an Olympic Gymnast and I very nearly puched my Xbox's lights out. :mad: No kidding. I was at the point right after you leave the bar and run up the stairs into the tower. 3-4 ninjas attacked and mopped the floor with my ass. I had enough at that point. The only other game in recent memory (4 years or so) that had me this pissed was trying to get 1st place on the Leguna Seca raceway in Gran Turismo 3. Man, that was a real pain in the ass!

Where do you get the nunchakus? I thought I had gotten them earlier in the game, but I tried to switch to them and they weren't on my weapons list. :confused:

The difficulty in this game seems sporadic to me. The boss on top of the Vigoor airship was easy to beat and I only used one small potion to heal while fighting him. The dude on the horse in the Hayabusa village was a real pain in the ass though. I hated that battle. Must have died 30 times trying to kill him. And I was in the same boat as you there: little health and only one potion to heal with.

[AOE Enforcer]

The Red Samurai on the horse was indeed a pain in the ass to beat.But I figured him out.The roll technique and having just enough elixirs is what saved the day against him.Those two annoying sprits shooting at ya actually were another reason why I beat him.(Because when you kill each one they give you a blue circle of health to heal ya up)

Right now I'm on that carrier fighting those guys in the air.So far level 3 at least looks to be the most fun.At least they give you decent save points around that area so far.The first two levels was a headache.

I've been going back and forth playing different games.Plus I'am loving this new KOTOR download.I just may finally beat KOTOR on the good note instead of the bad one.But if you come across anything new or interesting on NG feel free to share with the rest of us Enforcer.I'll do the same.

If you think the first two levels were a headache, get ready for level 4. :( Long-distance save points, groups of respawning enemies in the worst areas where you can't see them before they nail you with some caps, cheap shots from the towers and guys with grenade launchers shooting you from afar. And that's all before you run into the ninjas in the top of the tower that mop the floor with you.

Watching video footage of the game and knowing now just how hard even the early level bosses are, I can't imaging fighting some of those big, bone-dragon guys. My Xbox is never in danger of "console droppage," but much more of this masochistic game and it may be in real danger of "console chuckage."

[AOE Enforcer]

I wouldn't say that he is unskilled. He's already progressing through the game. Have you played the game yet? It's really freakin hard.

Learn all the moves and how to control the camera for the best angle before you even try to progress. This game makes Maximo look like a cakewalk in the difficulty department.

I'm to the bar in the 4th level so far and I missed the save point there. Once I get there, I will feel alot better about this game. Dying only to have to start at the beginning of this incredibly long level is very frustrating. :mad:

And a tip that some guys might miss: On level four when you are in the city, a shuriken with a note on it will hit the wall in front of you at one point. Walk straight forward from there to the spot where there in no railing around the ledge and Ryu will flip over and grab it. Shimmy along to the right and jump up to find a chest with a large healing potion in it. From there, do as Gadfly says and wall-flip up to the first gunner on the tower. Take him out, then use your bow to take out the bozo in the other tower. Then, go across the rope. Shortly after this point is the bar and the save statue. If you manage to get there with 3/4th's of your health and two potions, you should be good to go for a little longer at least.

[joquito]

I don't consider myself an expert gamer but I've had no real problems with the game. I would not call this game easy either. After playing MGS 2 and the RE series, I have no complaints with the camera. I am on Level 5 and have found 7-8 scarabs. The hardest part was running along the wall in the alley by the bar to get the extra projectile weapon (don't want to spoil). That was a pain in the but. I've put 6 hours into the game and I'm still completely addicted.

[AOE The Apocalypse]

After everthing Enforcer has told me about Ninja Gaiden I am afraid to play it. In the few days that he has owned the games he has called me every couple of hours after playing it and has told me how much of a pain in the ass it is. He has resorted to violence toward his Xbox. So far he has thrown his controller many times over and over and has already punched his Xbox. We all know how anal he is about his stuff so this must be an infuriating game to play. I am waiting for him to tell me he took his AR-15 out and blew the game away. I can hear it now (BANG-DIE YOU DAMN GAME DIE BANG------MANY CLIPS LATER---WHY IN THE HELL WON"T YOU JUST LET ME FINISH YOU SO I CAN PLAY THE OLD NINJA GAIDEN)ARRRRGGGHHH!!!!

[Gadfly2317]

I'll check out that save point. I was playing earlier and my aggravation that was near "controller chuckage" level surpassed that. My Controller S subsequently hurtled through the air like an Olympic Gymnast and I very nearly puched my Xbox's lights out. :mad: No kidding. I was at the point right after you leave the bar and run up the stairs into the tower. 3-4 ninjas attacked and mopped the floor with my ass. I had enough at that point. The only other game in recent memory (4 years or so) that had me this pissed was trying to get 1st place on the Leguna Seca raceway in Gran Turismo 3. Man, that was a real pain in the ass!

Where do you get the nunchakus? I thought I had gotten them earlier in the game, but I tried to switch to them and they weren't on my weapons list. :confused:

The difficulty in this game seems sporadic to me. The boss on top of the Vigoor airship was easy to beat and I only used one small potion to heal while fighting him. The dude on the horse in the Hayabusa village was a real pain in the ass though. I hated that battle. Must have died 30 times trying to kill him. And I was in the same boat as you there: little health and only one potion to heal with.

You must have got the nunchakus and then died before a save, and then not gone back to get them again. Right after the airship crash, when you first infiltrate the city, you go down a long alley, then the first open plaza has the snake statues, the second open plaza has a red door that won't open until you beat three dudes. Then when you go through that door, there's a dead end alley to your right with a body in it. That's where the nunchakus are. You have to go back and get them EVERYTIME you start over until you get to the effing save point at Hal's bar.

If you think you're ready to chuck the controller now, wait until your first fiends after you cross the drawbridge into the next town. The whole way through there you've got ninjas throwing things that stick to you and EXPLODE, taking huge health bites. I was going to mention some stuff about this level and the bosses, but on second thought, its kinda spoiler material. You'll see it soon enough if you haven't already. Just be advised to have as many potions as you can carry, and know that the first three fiends you fight are not even the boss (I used up all my potions on them, and then the REAL bad creature shows up.) I wish I'd have known this. Now I'm going to have to fight the thing again (after mowing through all those ninjas again), and I have no idea how to kill it. If you've gotten to what I'm talking about (near the cathedral), tell me how to kill it. I hate fighting bosses more than 3 or 4 times, especially just to figure out what its weakness is. Everything up to this point seems really easy in retrospect. I mean, the first three chapters are a total cakewalk.

I've got nine scarabs now. One of them requires some major wall running. One thing to keep focused, is when you get somewhere that there aren't enemies, give your hands a break, go into first person mode, and just look around and soak up the beautiful graphics. Some of the architecutre design is gorgeous, especially when backlit by a full moon in the sky. Also, make sure not to over look the balconies, go into FP view mode and look down, there's really big fish swimming down there. I'm guessing we get to fight them eventually.

I couldn't blame anyone for getting tired of messing with this game and not finishing it. There comes a point when the pay off doesn't match the time and stress involved--and I'm thinking if it gets much worse it will have reached that point. I want to at least unlock the original NG game, but I don't finish a lot of games I play (I'm usually bored by 3/4 of the way through and move on to a new game), so I'm not going to feel bad if I don't beat this one. When it starts to be all stress and not fun, its time to move on.

(I wonder if Peanut Juice is playing this. He's the guy that got 15 million in Ikaruga, a game that when I got over 2 million I felt like a freaking Jedi Knight. Surely there's people out there just ripping though this game and laughing at our controller-smashing misery.)

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

If you think you're ready to chuck the controller now, wait until your first fiends after you cross the drawbridge into the next town. The whole way through there you've got ninjas throwing things that stick to you and EXPLODE, taking huge health bites.

So far, these ninjas are the only enemies in the game that I feel are frustrating . They are stronger than the grunts with the guns and electric swords, but with the exploding sticky knives, they feel kind of cheap.

[Gadfly2317]

So far, these ninjas are the only enemies in the game that I feel are frustrating . They are stronger than the grunts with the guns and electric swords, but with the exploding sticky knives, they feel kind of cheap.


Here are cheap exploitation tactics I've started using. First, I think respawning enemies are lame, and cheap. And I think the trios of black ninjas with the exploding throwing stars are cheap. You fight one, the other sits back and sticks you with a bomb. It's not like earlier where a grenade would land, you could see it and move if you were quick and observant. Once they tag you with a sticky bomb (I assume its an explosive throwing star) you're kinda screwed. It takes huge health, AND knocks you down so they can beat the crap out of you on the ground.

So, the basic cheap tactics are these. 1.) Just run your ass off past these trios of black ninjas, wall run, jump and run, do what you need to do, but from the Drawbridge to the Tentacle Boss, don't waste your health messing with these guys. Save all your strength and potions for the bosses.

2.) Use the easy respawning enemies to make money. Even when you are inside the cathedral, its still pretty easy to back track all the across the drawbridge if you run away from the trios of black ninjas. The pavillion right before the drawbridge has two white ninjas, and one black one. Kill 'em with big combos (they are easy to fight) and collect money. Run down the stairs (there is a save spot there if you need it) and then go right back up and kill the same three guys. You can even halfway do them in with the throwing star before you enter the pavillion. You can do this for awhile to make some money, and then it isn't far to back track to the actual store (with the real guy in it, not the statute) and take out hte three easy guys there, too.

Basically, use easy respawing enemies to make money or health, and then run the hell away from the unfair enemies that you aren't required to fight. Sure, its useful to have the skills to do them in, but since they respawn too, don't feel you need to fight them every time, because they are cheap, and even if you're good, if you're just slightly off, wham, you're dead. There's also some respawning bats early on in chapter 6 you can kill with the throwing star, and they are right before a statue store. They only earn you a $100 a group, but if you're having some problems, just kill the same stupid bunch of bats a few times and you can afford a couple more potions before going into the next fiend filled area.

Yep guys, running away and exploiting the regeneration of easy enemies is cheap, but no more cheap than the way this game treats you.

If I'd know the game was gonna be like this, Id do what darwin is doing, and spend four hours on the first level between the save and the regenerating ninjas, and just made a boat load of money and bought the sun and moon band, upgraded my sword, and loaded up on potions before starting out. As it is now, I can never afford to buy the armbands (for strength and defense) because by the time I get to a store, I'm in dire need of health elixers.

[joquito]

Sometimes the best course of action is running. Especially after crossing the bridge.

NG is a difficult game but I was over a friends house and play the game from the start and finally realized that I can upgrade the sword. So I reached stage 6 with the dragon sword on level one. I would say this game isn't much harder than playing against the flood in Halo.

I agree the ninja trio are cheap cheap cheap. You have to practice the new moves that are learn along the way. They are the only way to fight the ninjas.

[Cuddly Knife]

(I wonder if Peanut Juice is playing this. He's the guy that got 15 million in Ikaruga, a game that when I got over 2 million I felt like a freaking Jedi Knight. Surely there's people out there just ripping though this game and laughing at our controller-smashing misery.)
After reading all the posts about how hard this game is, I'm dying to play it, but alas, I have no XBOX.........yet. So, is it hard because of hard enemies, or is it hard because of cheap-shotting enemies? Either way, it sounds like a blast.

A few have mentioned that they have to unlock the original NG game with 20 scarabs or whatever. Does that mean that it will take three or four times as much scarabs to unlock the final arcade game? Assuming that they are unlocked in the order of 1, 2, 3, then the arcade game. That might be a little annoying, since I play to beat the game, not to get 100%.

I was thinking something. The original Ninja Gaiden games were difficult mainly because of platform jumping that made you stand over an edge with one foot off in order to make the distance to the next platform. Is there anything like that in this game?

And to whoever(is that one word?) said that running from enemies was cheap, that's pretty much what the action was all about in the original games(minus the arcade game, which made you fight all the enemies on screen before you could progress). Unless you need to kill lots of enemies to get stuffs.

[Darwin]

Did you figure out how to get up there? Start running down the stairs, jump, and run along the wall, then jump again and try to land in the first tower and slaughter the guy. Hard jump to make. Once you do, snipe the other guy with your arrow, and then climb across on the rope. In that chest there is a powerup that will increase your life meter. This helps ALOT. ......

And check all the bodies. Have you got the nunchuckas? You can beat some serious ass with those. I like them better than the sword. They also deflect bullets pretty well.


Whoa. I did not know that.

I just shut off the game in frustration on this very level ... got my ass seriously kicked by the exploding shiroken Ninjas. Then they respawn if you miss the jump and have to go back up the stairs to redo the jump.

Are the nunchuckas in the city? I have not found them yet.

At this point I am seriously considering not continuing with the game. I am not sure the frustrations and restarts are worth it. It's getting to be a serious chore. I am actually having more problems with the non-bosses than the bosses.

[Darwin]

The only other game in recent memory (4 years or so) that had me this pissed was trying to get 1st place on the Leguna Seca raceway in Gran Turismo 3. Man, that was a real pain in the ass!

It was a Sunday morning, me and my driving wheel hooked up the PS2 .... took me 3 straight hours to beat that damn licence test. Rety after retry. The test was so hard because the game put "simulation tires" on the car and took off all traction controls ... something that almost noone opts for when actually playing the game. And the car was the GTS Viper.

[Darwin]

After everthing Enforcer has told me about Ninja Gaiden I am afraid to play it. In the few days that he has owned the games he has called me every couple of hours after playing it and has told me how much of a pain in the ass it is. He has resorted to violence toward his Xbox. So far he has thrown his controller many times over and over and has already punched his Xbox. We all know how anal he is about his stuff so this must be an infuriating game to play. I am waiting for him to tell me he took his AR-15 out and blew the game away. I can hear it now (BANG-DIE YOU DAMN GAME DIE BANG------MANY CLIPS LATER---WHY IN THE HELL WON"T YOU JUST LET ME FINISH YOU SO I CAN PLAY THE OLD NINJA GAIDEN)ARRRRGGGHHH!!!!

I've had a few thrown controllers in my history of gaming. Some of the missions in Vice City ... Halo's finally where I am trying to drive out of the Pillar of Autumn but I keep flipping the Warthog over ... Project Gotham 1 (2 busted controllers, and wrist strain twice that resulted in me having to wear an ace bandage) ....

I've been down that road before. Not gonna do it again. It's just not what I want to be doing at age 28. My weekends are not going to deteriorate into frustration. I've already decided not to get mad at NG. I'll just turn it off the moment I feel the urge to revert back to my old ways. And if it takes me 6 months to finish NG, then so be it. And if I never finish it, then so be it. I'm man enough to admit when a game is too hard :-)

[Daman_He_Hate_Me]

I played this game Friday for 3 hours and Saturday for 3 hours, and i'm already into the cathedral, chapter 6 or 7. I'm not a big arcade game player, but the basic idea is to figure each enemy out and use that technique each time against him. You can not fight each enemy the same way. And you can not die against the normal soldiers or the 3 black ninjas(also guys sometimes there are 4). Also, you do NOT have to run from these guys, nor do you have to keep running back to save the game. In fact, this wont work when you enter the city after the airship, because the enemies will respawn everytime you enter an area.
I'm glad Tecmo did this, because they are trying to force you to play the game a certain way, and once you figure it out, you will see Ryu is a true bad ass Ninja that can easily deal with these enemies and more. You will fly through these stages. Okay, AOE, i'm gonna give you some advice that should get you smokin'.
1. Learn to use the yellow essence. Your master teaches you this after the first stage, but it is up to you to master. This is how you take down the two white soldiers and one black soldier, effortlessly each time. Usually, they will shoot at you, so block, and wait for them to reload. Once they reload, run at them, then wall run and attack, you will instantly chop off one guys head. As you land, don't even look for the yellow essence, just charge your sword or chuks because you don't even have to be close to the essence, it can be all the way across the room. So land charge, release, you will take off the head of the next guy. Then just toy with the last guy(black one) who will usually give you some blue, if you took any damage. Sometime, if you kill both white soldiers with one shot, you will have two yellow orbs, charge up to release a 7 hit combo on the last one, mucho essence and points.
2. Use your technique scrolls, you should have found a scroll teaching you how to counter-attack while blocking. No, this is not attacking, after you block. After you get the scroll, read it. Now you can use it. So if you enter an area, and are immediately attacked, hold block, WHILE blocking keep tapping x or y, you will trigger a counter attack, that will put you on the offensive. Another technique scroll is the throw, after you read this one, you can forward jump and press why to do a shoulder throw of the enemy, its not much damage, but it gives you time. You can buy the last scroll, this one shows you how to do the xxyxxx combo, which lifts you and the enemy in the air and you drop on him with your sword in his chest, immediate kill.
3. Use you ranged weapons. The shurikens are useless against bosses, and against the three black ninjas. But they hit or significantly hamper the soldiers. The arrows are better cause they kill after two shots. Later, if you are skilled, you will find two special shurikens, one of which is the exploding shuriken, the black ninjas use against you, you get 15 of them. The other, I won't say cause it is somewhat of a spoiler.
4. Use the chuks, but not against bosses or 3 black ninjas. The chuks can beat the black ninjas, but not effectively as the sword. But otherwise, use them, cause you get mucho combos, sometimes 24 hit combos, which give you a lot of MONEY.
5. BEATING THE BLACK NINJAS. After you leave the club, you will be dealing with a lot of black ninjas. You may as well figure out how to beat them, instead of running. You must use the dragon sword, and you must block-counter attack. While blocked, you deflect their bombs away. Even when a bomb explodes on the floor or on a wall, if you are blocking, it does little to no damage. So, how do you get off a shot? Counterattack, just let them wail on you, keep blocking and hitting x or y, to trigger your counterattack, when one falls, stab his azz while he on the ground to immediately kill him, get his blue, and do the rest. Don't wall jump, don't run, don't throw anything. You will see, these guys are creampuffs.
6. Beating bosses, all the bosses are easily beatin by using high jump attacks and wall jumps only, never engage a boss on foot. The airship boss, you have to flip into and flip away. The horseman, shot him with your bow, then when he charges, wall jump and slice him hard. The latter bosses(no spoilers) you will have walls, just wall run and wall jump attack. You won't even have to use your ninpo, which if you save, you get 100,000 karma points for each you have.
7. Use strategy. Have 5 or 6 elixiers, 1 or 2 greater elixirs, and 1 talisman. When you fight and get close to dying, stop and use one elixir(don't go to full health), then kill your enemy and get his blue health. If you run out of normal elixirs, use your two ninpo attacks, at this point, any normal enemies, should be dispatched, if not, you are fighting incorrectly. If its a boss or dire situation, use your 5 elixirs, then your ninpo, reload on ninpo if you have elixirs, THEN and ONLY then use your GREATER elixirs(which is like another life), and finally, use your Talisman. Then, keep these supplies on hand, buy them if you must(never buy a Talisman or great elixir though). Following this protocol, will eliminate all the saving and reloading you guys are trying, you will get through the game faster.
8. Upgrade upgrade. Buy the two bracelets, upgrade dragon sword twice, and wooden sword once before chapter 6. In fact, before enter cathedral, you should have two star dragon sword, two star wooden sword, nunchuckas, both bracelets, at least two ninpo attacks and slots, bow, normal shuriken, exploding shurikens, and one special weapon(spoiler). You should have over 6 golden scarabs. You should have upgraded your life twice, and also have 5 life pods(blue dots). If your missing this stuff by the cathedral, you should backtrack.
This game is not frustrating. It is just like when people said Splinter Cell was all trial and error, wrong. If you are reloading, you are playing wrong. Chances are, you attacking too much, and too much with just the simple x and y attack. You have to use wall attacks, ultimate technique attacks, and combos. You have to defend, or stay in the air. It even tells you in the book, to get off the ground.

[Daman_He_Hate_Me]

Whoa. I did not know that.

I just shut off the game in frustration on this very level ... got my ass seriously kicked by the exploding shiroken Ninjas. Then they respawn if you miss the jump and have to go back up the stairs to redo the jump.

Are the nunchuckas in the city? I have not found them yet.

At this point I am seriously considering not continuing with the game. I am not sure the frustrations and restarts are worth it. It's getting to be a serious chore. I am actually having more problems with the non-bosses than the bosses.

Actually, that technique he told you will work, but you can do this part even faster and simpler. Before this part, you go to the military area, there is huge gate that says you can't open this yet. There is a ninja lying there with arrows in him. Grab the arrows. Then open the wooden door. You will be attacked by 3 guys, one as soon as you open the door. Block-counterattack him(using the counter-attack technique, you should have this scroll, which u must read)when he dies charge Y as the other two run to you, you will kill one or both, which will release more yellow, charge Y and immediately kill the last guy. Now, run down and around, a dart will be thrown, read it, then back away under cover. Equip your bow, step out a little and shoot the guy on the left, now move out and shoot guy on right. (don't use first person shooting, ever). Now the coast is clear, just jump up and grab the beam and shimmy across. When you land, shooters will appear where you left. Shoot them, you will probably take one or two hits, no problem. Now, jump up and use the powerline to shimmy across to the treasure chest, which contains the item to upgrade your health meter(this should be the second upgrade). Now, just drop down, go around the corner and on to the next area.

[Renzatic Gear]

Damn, I really wanna play this game.

But tell me, can you interact with the enviroments similar to Prince of Persia or is it basically player vs. enemy throughout? Pulling off neat combos and whatnot is good for a little while, but it needs to be mixed in with split second jumps over bottomless pits and wall climbing for the game to truly succeed in my eyes.

[Daman_He_Hate_Me]

To find the nunchukas. They are in the area where the door with the great EYE is. The EYE door is in the center of your vision, go around to the right, I think its a door with two red dots on the left, you can't open it, there is a guy lying dead to your right, go inspect him, he is holding the chuks.

You can still use ultimate technique with the chuks, but the chuks are great for building up combos. But I wouldn't use them against the black ninjas, I have, but I find the sword is better cause when they fall, you can run over and stab them in the back for a quick kill. It takes longer with the chuks. Also, you can use the wooden sword, I haven't figured out, but somehow it charges up with energy, anybody know whats up with this?

[Daman_He_Hate_Me]

Damn, I really wanna play this game.

But tell me, can you interact with the enviroments similar to Prince of Persia or is it basically player vs. enemy throughout? Pulling off neat combos and whatnot is good for a little while, but it needs to be mixed in with split second jumps over bottomless pits and wall climbing for the game to truly succeed in my eyes.

Yeah this game is a lot like Prince of Persia. I didn't play much of Prince, I rented it and played it for a few days. But the jumping and wall running is exactly the same, well not exactly but really really similar. For example in POP, you can get to higher levels by wall flipping in-between very close areas, you do this alot in NG. Wall running is exactly the same, except you can jump from a wall run to another wall and continue running, this will place you one level higher. Ryu can't really fall though, if you fall in POP it can hurt you, or end the level. So far, Ryu will just land on his feet unharmed, the worst that will happen is you will lose a lot of ground and have to backtrack through areas you beat. Maybe later if you miss a jump it will result in death, but not yet.

The first three levels, training, village, and air ship, are tight and confined, every few steps results in a load of a new area, at this point, i was not impressed at all. But then the game REALLY opens up in the city and the cathedral. There are a lot of puzzles, and levers, and switches. Not really finding them, but figuring out which sequence to go, you know one area unlocks the other kind of thing. You can also hang from ledges, like POP, shimmey on ledges and ropes and pipes, but these areas are too few, thus far. It is hard to fall from a surface, usually you will fall and Ryu will catch himself and hang from the ledge.

[Daman_He_Hate_Me]

oh, you can also swim and actually run on water, though I haven't tried to run on the water yet cause I didn't actually remember to do it when I came to that point.

[Renzatic Gear]

Hmm...I'll probably rent it tomorrow and play it over at my friends house to see if I like it. If it can out-POP POP then I'll definately go out and buy it.

From what I've seen and heard, cept for the bad camera angles the game does seen really promising.

[Darwin]

Thanks for all the tips, fellas. I'm gonna boot it up any retry Chapter 4 now.

[Darwin]

I cannot figure out how to get past that door with the eye design, in chapter 4. I just acquired the Nunchaku, visited the old man's shop, and went up that stairwell where you face the 3 gun guys and then at the top where you face the 3 explosive-shiroken black Ninjas. Am I supposed to get to some ledge, jump somewhere, shimmy along a wall? I keep trying to jump and catch those wires, but cannot make it.

On a positive note, though, Daman's tactics with the black Ninjas are working perfectly. I've now killed them about 20 rounds (thanks to repawn).

[Darwin]

Found it. I forgot to pull that lever on the street. Silly me

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

Does anyone know if you can wear both the attack and defense armlets at the same time?

[Darwin]

Does anyone know if you can wear both the attack and defense armlets at the same time?

No you cannot. Only one armlet at a time. However, I beleive there is still another armlet that is acquired later in the game that has a very beneficial effect. I read about it on gamefaqs. I won't spoil it, unless you want to know.

[Daman_He_Hate_Me]

No you cannot. Only one armlet at a time. However, I beleive there is still another armlet that is acquired later in the game that has a very beneficial effect. I read about it on gamefaqs. I won't spoil it, unless you want to know.

So where are you at in the game now Darwin? And are you able to get through the missions now without reloading? I've been working, doing another 12 hours today, but I was able to get in a quick hour today before work. I got through the Monastery(don't know why I was saying Cathedral) and did the little Indiana Jones thing, then I stopped. I also went back through Tairon, because I remembered those broken stone doors that were cracked. So I went back and blew them open with the explosive shurikens and got some more goodies. One of them, next to the jeweled EYE door wouldn't even open with the explosive shurikens, so I guess that will open later.

I also continued to upgrade that wooden sword. From what I could tell, the wooden sword is a lot quicker, allowing you to "get off" before the enemy, when it blocks bullets, it charges blue, but sometimes it is not effective at blocking bullets. It also won't kill as quickly as the dragon sword, but you can get some monster combinations with it, still not as many as the chuks.

[Bob-the-Fish]

I got NG yesterday (because I am a consumer whore) and after 3 hours playing this afternoon, I just finished the airship stage. This game didn't hook me and I turned it off after about 20 minutes the first time. I stuck with it though because I am going to get $50 worth of game play out of it and once I started using rolls, blocks and essence techniques more it got a lot easier. The counter attck scroll really makes life easier as well.

The graphics are fantastic. Just fantastic.

The camera is a pain. It got really annoying whenever I needed to make a jump because the angles get switched as the camer moves so what was once up on the stick becomes diagonal right up. The angle is also too low and close in places The jumping in itself is annoying anyway because of the speed he flips with and the fact that you don't really get very high anyway means a lot of missed jumps. Running straight up a wall when you want to run along it (or the reverse) because of said camera angle weirdness pisses the hell out of me too. No broken controllers yet though, I don't let games bother me.


Combat works well most of the time except in small rooms and hallways where the camera ends up pointing at the wall and you can't see any of the enemies attacking you. This is easily fixed with the centering button but then, as with jumping, the angles change meaning you may end up attacking the wall instead of an enemy. Bosses are like any other hack n' slash boss. Rediculous amounts of life and super moves, but you just need to find the techique to beat them. Dodging really helps...

My only other gripe is the fact that the "action" button is also an attack button. So when your fighitng in rooms with doors (or any other interactive element) you can end up continually reading little messages about dead commrads or that the door is locked while you're trying to hack up a ninja. Also, why couldn't they give you a different intro movie from the start-up menu?

The gameplay (and difficulty level) are extremly similar to Shinobi so if you liked that then this will probably be a good game for you. The real difference being the fact that the regular enemies are way more powerful and the jumping (so far) is not as important.

4 out 5

[AOE Enforcer]

I got NG yesterday (because I am a consumer whore) and after 3 hours playing this afternoon, I just finished the airship stage. This game didn't hook me and I turned it off after about 20 minutes the first time. I stuck with it though because I am going to get $50 worth of game play out of it and once I started using rolls, blocks and essence techniques more it got a lot easier. The counter attck scroll really makes life easier as well.

The graphics are fantastic. Just fantastic.

The camera is a pain. It got really annoying whenever I needed to make a jump because the angles get switched as the camer moves so what was once up on the stick becomes diagonal right up. The angle is also too low and close in places The jumping in itself is annoying anyway because of the speed he flips with and the fact that you don't really get very high anyway means a lot of missed jumps. Running straight up a wall when you want to run along it (or the reverse) because of said camera angle weirdness pisses the hell out of me too. No broken controllers yet though, I don't let games bother me.


Combat works well most of the time except in small rooms and hallways where the camera ends up pointing at the wall and you can't see any of the enemies attacking you. This is easily fixed with the centering button but then, as with jumping, the angles change meaning you may end up attacking the wall instead of an enemy. Bosses are like any other hack n' slash boss. Rediculous amounts of life and super moves, but you just need to find the techique to beat them. Dodging really helps...

My only other gripe is the fact that the "action" button is also an attack button. So when your fighitng in rooms with doors (or any other interactive element) you can end up continually reading little messages about dead commrads or that the door is locked while you're trying to hack up a ninja. Also, why couldn't they give you a different intro movie from the start-up menu?

The gameplay (and difficulty level) are extremly similar to Shinobi so if you liked that then this will probably be a good game for you. The real difference being the fact that the regular enemies are way more powerful and the jumping (so far) is not as important.

4 out 5

This thread I started is unprecedented! Never before have Darwin, Game, Daman, Gadfly, Deathstroke, AOE Enforcer & Apocalypse, Bob The Fish and so many others spoke together without maximum flamage. :eek: And special thanks goes out to Daman for some really great tips to the game.

Bob, make sure you get the Nunchukas in level 4. They are on a dead ninja down a dead-end street, across from a locked door. Just check the body. It's down the street that is to the left of the "Eye" door and make a right at the bend. Now, the common guys are easy as hell to beat but the Ninja's with the flaming stars still give me a bit of trouble. The key to them is as Daman and Gadfly said-keep jumping and running. Don't stand still and DON'T run in a straight line. They will hit you and kick your ass.

Thanks for all the tips and strategies guys. This is shaping up to be the best thread EVARRRR!!!!

[folken001]

I played this game today too. I got to level 3. The camera angle is pretty annoying, like most of you have mentioned. I had a heck of time fighting that boss on the horse in level 2 without the fire spinning magic. It's like everytime he ran by me, the camera tried to cover both the boss and those teleporting ninjas and I ended up not seeing the boss or his supporting groups. Other than that, this game is pretty good. Kinda repetitive though. I wonder why Ryu would fight with sword and bow while his enemies have machine guns and gernades.

[Bob-the-Fish]

I wonder why Ryu would fight with sword and bow while his enemies have machine guns and gernades.

He's a Ninja! Do not doubt the power of the Dragon Blade! Rahhhh!

Bob, make sure you get the Nunchukas in level 4. They are on a dead ninja down a dead-end street, across from a locked door. Just check the body. It's down the street that is to the left of the "Eye" door and make a right at the bend.

Yeah I got em. Still have to find a damn save point though. Curse those exploding ninja stars!

[Tappy_Tibbons]

Why is it the PS2 fanboys treat DMC as if it is God's gift and it is completely flawless yet view Ninja Gaiden with all the scrutiny I've ever seen...?

[folken001]

Why is it the PS2 fanboys treat DMC as if it is God's gift and it is completely flawless yet view Ninja Gaiden with all the scrutiny I've ever seen...?
Well, I don't know if DMC is a gift from God or not, but DMC's camera control is a lot better than Ninja Gaiden's.

BTW, I still think Shinobi has harder bosses than NG. Much harder.

[Daman_He_Hate_Me]

He's a Ninja! Do not doubt the power of the Dragon Blade! Rahhhh!



Yeah I got em. Still have to find a damn save point though. Curse those exploding ninja stars!

You should be able to handle the black ninjas easily. I have found two ways to beat them consistently, without fail. The first one is the easiest, when you encounter them, stay blocked, while blocked, they can not 'attach' a bomb to you, your blade will deflect it. Even if the bomb explodes near you, it won't do damage while you are blocked. While blocking try and trigger a counter-attack by pressing the x or y button. If you found and read the counter-attack scroll, you will trigger a counter-attack, which will knock 1 or 2 of them down. When they are down, try and stab one of them and kill. Just repeat this till you get them all.

Another way, which is faster, but more risky is to block like before. But you will notice their routine when they attack. They slice a few times and then jump. Just like Ryu is vulnerable when he jumps, the black ninjas are also vulnerable when they jump. So just block and wait for one of them to jump, then smack him. This is faster than trying to trigger a counter attack, but you may end up getting a bomb stuck on you, overall I found it doesn't matter if you get hit once or twice cause usually two of the black ninjas will leave blue essence when they die.

After you enter the night club, you will see a big fight that doesn't involve you, then you will go to the top of the night club. I think there will be a save point there, also, as you continue the game, when you descend through the nightclub, you will see the first videogame machine where you can play the old Ninja Gaiden games, however there is no game loaded, so you can't play just yet. But as you leave the nightclub, there will be another save point. In fact, after the nightclub, there will be plenty of spots to save.

As far as the camera, I never listen to problems or praise about cameras when playing 3rd person games. You should just understand if its a third person game, the camera is going to present a problem, period. In a game like this, as opposed to most games, where you are jumping so high, and running along walls, and facing enemies in melee combat at all different angles, you will definitely have camera problems. In a game like MetalArms where the fighting is long-range and the character is slower and can't jump as far, the camera is still just as bad, however the problems don't present themselves as much cause of the nature, pace, and distance of the action.

[Bob-the-Fish]

Why is it the PS2 fanboys treat DMC as if it is God's gift and it is completely flawless yet view Ninja Gaiden with all the scrutiny I've ever seen...?

DMC has its flaws. Nothing in the opening parts of the game at all prepares you for that first fight with the lava spider boss. Man that thing torched me about ten times before I figured out how to beat it. The enemy variation in nil. The swimming parts are just plain lame. Rusty Keys....

Still, I'm not as inclined to keep playing NG as I was with DMC. I actually kept trying to beat that cursed spider over and over, but with NG, I put it down after only a few tries. It was nice to see a hack 'n slash like that that didn't have a ninja as that main character too.

You should be able to handle the black ninjas easily...
I'm just past the bar cut scene now and I'm taking the Lily key back to the gate. I'm actually not having any more problems with the black ninjas then I have with the other enemies. Those guys with shields are a pain because they block every attack and I have to counter or stun them to get a good combo going. With the blackies I just block a lot and wait for an oppertunity to whip out some moves. I've been just opening with a power attack after they finish their combo and then hacking away. Seems to be working well.

I found the little hidden "Xbox" healer thing by the bar too. That's nice to have around.

Why oh why can't you just use the thumb stick to rotate the camera? Why, Team Ninja Why?

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

.

I found the little hidden "Xbox" healer thing by the bar too. That's nice to have around.



Hidden "Xbox" healer?!! Damn, sounds like I missed something. I thought I checked that bar up, down and all around.....

As far as the camera, I never listen to problems or praise about cameras when playing 3rd person games. You should just understand if its a third person game, the camera is going to present a problem, period. In a game like this, as opposed to most games, where you are jumping so high, and running along walls, and facing enemies in melee combat at all different angles, you will definitely have camera problems.

I agree. There are other 3rd person games that had less action, yet far worse cameras. Dead to Rights, Dino Crisis 3 anybody? Those cameras were horrible. I like the camera for NG, overall. Right thumbstick control would have been nice, but I think it's done pretty well, considering all the action.


So far, what's the highest combo have you guys had? I had one that went 85 hits before I was blindsided, with a weapon that was better than the nunchuckas :D

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

No you cannot. Only one armlet at a time. However, I beleive there is still another armlet that is acquired later in the game that has a very beneficial effect. I read about it on gamefaqs. I won't spoil it, unless you want to know.

Thanks, Darwin. Since I can just have one, I'm not going to bother buying the attack armlet, since defense is more important, IMO, and I can always level up my weapons when I have the chance.

[Daman_He_Hate_Me]

Normally the minions are easily dispatched in games like this, and then the boss battles are some horrifyingly hard experience. But this is opposite, and I kinda like it, cause 90% of the game is not boss battles, so this game makes you fight hard all the time. The boss battles are different too, usually in games like these you can only hit or make contact with the boss for like a small window of time. Then, you have to run and dodge for a long window of time, until you can hit the boss again. Also, there is usually only one ridiculous way of hitting the boss which you have to figure out. In this game, Ryu can hit the boss anytime, and that makes the boss battles easy, so far.

Another thing I like so far is the variety of minions, they are all different with different tactics and strengths, and each has to be handled differently. Not only that, usually in games like this minions hit you and barely affect your life bar. In this game, a minion can take you out with several solid hits.

I wouldn't say i'm sold on this type of game though, it is fun and brings back old memories, but I can wait another year or two before playing another game in this genre. I just want to finish it on advanced mode right in time to trade it in for Splinter Cell2. Then I'll be in gaming heaven.

[Bob-the-Fish]

Hidden "Xbox" healer?!! Damn, sounds like I missed something. I thought I checked that bar up, down and all around.....

You may have found it. It's in the "dark alley" across the street to the left, not in the bar itself. You have to wall run and jump three times down the alley where there are blue marks. Theres a platform at the back that has a boomerang style throwing star and the big silver Xbox logo that heals you if you interact with it. Then you can save with full life and not have to use potion things.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

You may have found it. It's in the "dark alley" across the street to the left, not in the bar itself. You have to wall run and jump three times down the alley where there are blue marks. Theres a platform at the back that has a boomerang style throwing star and the big silver Xbox logo that heals you if you interact with it. Then you can save with full life and not have to use potion things.

I missed it. I remember reading a note mentioning a dark alley, but I thought the note referred to that room with the wall half way cracked that I couldn't get in until I get soemthing explosive (like those knives). Since I know where to look now, I will get it when I have to go back into the city. Thanks, Bob.

[Cuddly Knife]

So, what about the hidden Ninja Gaiden games? Is there anyone who has unlocked anything?

Another thing, how long is this game from start to end? I finally picked up BG&E because I read a post on how it was an "adult" Zelda and had over ten hours of gameplay, but I beat it in a little over four hours my first time through. Hopefully this one won't be that fast. And how is the story?

Has anyone written any reviews for NG on this site?

[Daman_He_Hate_Me]

Yeah, it is way longer than 4 hours. I've logged about 8 hours, and I don't even think i'm halfway through. Right now i'm on Chapter 7, Tairon Under Alert.

This game really changes after you enter the tombs underneath the monastery, just when you thought you saw all minions the game would have, they introduce completely new minions, bigger and badder. Huge zombies with giant axes, and long bows, the levels are massive, a lot hard azz jumping and dodging, puzzles, bridges, water, and it all culminates in a massive battle with Rachel's sister, quite possibly the baddest looking boss ever. They put in major overtime with this game, the first chapters are just the tip of the iceberg. You also get some new weapons and new ninpo, Ryu is one bad MF.

Question, does anyone know the monk's daughter's birthday? I don't know if this was something I missed or something I will come across later.

[AOE Enforcer]

Yeah, it is way longer than 4 hours. I've logged about 8 hours, and I don't even think i'm halfway through. Right now i'm on Chapter 7, Tairon Under Alert.

This game really changes after you enter the tombs underneath the monastery, just when you thought you saw all minions the game would have, they introduce completely new minions, bigger and badder. Huge zombies with giant axes, and long bows, the levels are massive, a lot hard azz jumping and dodging, puzzles, bridges, water, and it all culminates in a massive battle with Rachel's sister, quite possibly the baddest looking boss ever. They put in major overtime with this game, the first chapters are just the tip of the iceberg. You also get some new weapons and new ninpo, Ryu is one bad MF.

Question, does anyone know the monk's daughter's birthday? I don't know if this was something I missed or something I will come across later.

Is Rachel's sister the demon-broad with the hot rear, but funky face and wings?

But anyway, thanks for the tips Daman. I'm still in the city level 4 (haven't had much time to play...about 30 minutes a day is all right now) and I just got to the area where three of those red demons that look kinda like dinosaurs surround you.

But hey, at least my compulsion for "controller chuckage" and "console punchage" is past for the time being. :D

[Daman_He_Hate_Me]

Is Rachel's sister the demon-broad with the hot rear, but funky face and wings?

But anyway, thanks for the tips Daman. I'm still in the city level 4 (haven't had much time to play...about 30 minutes a day is all right now) and I just got to the area where three of those red demons that look kinda like dinosaurs surround you.

But hey, at least my compulsion for "controller chuckage" and "console punchage" is past for the time being. :D

Yeah, that's her, I didn't want to spoil it for people though, so I won't mentioned how she fights. Her entrance is killer though, and I don't even say killer. Man you are going to be so happy you stuck with the game, it just opens up with more and more surprises. I have a feeling the ending is going to suck. This is the best non-shooter, traditional action game i've ever played, I just don't see how it can get better.

[yacobschlomo]

After the first four levels II this game I still thought that DMC was better, but I'm now up to the boss in level 7 and am realizing that this game just seems to get better the further you get into it. All the new enemies seem difficult at first, but once you get used to them they are pretty easy to beat.

[joquito]

The birthday of the Monk's Daughter is in the book on the table. When I first read it, it went straight to the second part. Read the book again. If you still need it, I'll PM it too you, so as to not spoil it for others.

[Daman_He_Hate_Me]

Okay, I missed that...now i'm wondering what else that monk could have put in the safe. Don't tell me, I wanna be surprised. Thanx dude.

["The Game"Evolution]

Normally the minions are easily dispatched in games like this, and then the boss battles are some horrifyingly hard experience. But this is opposite, and I kinda like it, cause 90% of the game is not boss battles, so this game makes you fight hard all the time. The boss battles are different too, usually in games like these you can only hit or make contact with the boss for like a small window of time. Then, you have to run and dodge for a long window of time, until you can hit the boss again. Also, there is usually only one ridiculous way of hitting the boss which you have to figure out. In this game, Ryu can hit the boss anytime, and that makes the boss battles easy, so far.

Another thing I like so far is the variety of minions, they are all different with different tactics and strengths, and each has to be handled differently. Not only that, usually in games like this minions hit you and barely affect your life bar. In this game, a minion can take you out with several solid hits.

I wouldn't say i'm sold on this type of game though, it is fun and brings back old memories, but I can wait another year or two before playing another game in this genre. I just want to finish it on advanced mode right in time to trade it in for Splinter Cell2. Then I'll be in gaming heaven.

Tough as a MF,but still a great game.I'm just on Chapter 4 myself.The hell with a stategy guide! I rather come here and get you guys input on how to go about things.So far so good.I'll try to make sure not to forget about those nunchukas on this level.

Hey Daman,I wonder which one of us will probably end NG first? I doubt it'll be me anytime soon.I'm still in "awe"just playing this damn thing.But I am indeed determined to see this game to the bitter end.I just hope the ending isnt lame.

[Darwin]

I missed it. I remember reading a note mentioning a dark alley, but I thought the note referred to that room with the wall half way cracked that I couldn't get in until I get soemthing explosive (like those knives). Since I know where to look now, I will get it when I have to go back into the city. Thanks, Bob.

The windmill shiroken (the item you get when you get up to this part of the city is quite useful. Supposedly, it becomes really useful against a boss in a later chapter.

[Daman_He_Hate_Me]

Tough as a MF,but still a great game.I'm just on Chapter 4 myself.The hell with a stategy guide! I rather come here and get you guys input on how to go about things.So far so good.I'll try to make sure not to forget about those nunchukas on this level.

Hey Daman,I wonder which one of us will probably end NG first? I doubt it'll be me anytime soon.I'm still in "awe"just playing this damn thing.But I am indeed determined to see this game to the bitter end.I just hope the ending isnt lame.

Today I reached the military base and fought some bosses. Here I died several times. I had to reload, luckily I saved it before the battles, so I was able to get through it cleanly. I have to say, it really isn't fun fighting the military. The game feels much more at home when you are fighting bladed enemies or fiends. So hopefully this military base will be the only time you have to do this.

I may not finish it anytime soon, on my off days when I play XBOX i'm going to be online, plus I have to finish Metal Arms, so I may actually take a break from this game for a week. But who knows, the damn thing is so irresistable I may end up doing another level sometime over the weekend.

Hey GAME let me know if you need some tips, there are pretty tricky stages. I have already forsaken two Golden Scarabs one in Tairon that I just couldn't get to within a sane amount of time and one in the military base, but I think other than that I have just about everything else. Man, let me tell you after you enter the base, you are one well equipped S.O.B.

[Darwin]

Did you guys fight the "infinite" reswpawning fiends in the library of the monestary? It occurs after you get that book out of the safe. Well, it's not an infinite amount, but you fight many waves of them. If you persist and finish off all those waves, a new items box appears with the sphere that increases Ryu's ninpo meter one unit.

[Bob-the-Fish]

Did you guys fight the "infinite" reswpawning fiends in the library of the monestary? It occurs after you get that book out of the safe. Well, it's not an infinite amount, but you fight many waves of them. If you persist and finish off all those waves, a new items box appears with the sphere that increases Ryu's ninpo meter one unit.

Yeah I did that. I always try to kill everything I come across. Except those freaking bow zombies. They're just too annoying. In fact, everything about that game has me pretty annoyed right now. Running down a disapearing walkway, avoiding swinging spike balls and all the while being shot at by giant arrows that knock you off is not my idea of a good time... Especially when the whacked out camera makes you miss the same jump over an over. First it's to the right an inch, then to the left, then to the left, then the right. I hate that camera.

[Daman_He_Hate_Me]

Did you guys fight the "infinite" reswpawning fiends in the library of the monestary? It occurs after you get that book out of the safe. Well, it's not an infinite amount, but you fight many waves of them. If you persist and finish off all those waves, a new items box appears with the sphere that increases Ryu's ninpo meter one unit.

Awww crap, why'd you have to tell me that, lol. Oh well, i'm not going back. I have 3 ninpo slots, so that means I should have 4. Craptastic, lol. Oh well, no way am I going back. lol. hey what did you think about Rachel's sister, baby got back.....

[Daman_He_Hate_Me]

Yeah I did that. I always try to kill everything I come across. Except those freaking bow zombies. They're just too annoying. In fact, everything about that game has me pretty annoyed right now. Running down a disapearing walkway, avoiding swinging spike balls and all the while being shot at by giant arrows that knock you off is not my idea of a good time... Especially when the whacked out camera makes you miss the same jump over an over. First it's to the right an inch, then to the left, then to the left, then the right. I hate that camera.

Hey Bob, you did it the hardway man. You can go over there and shoot those Muthas. After gettin shot up a few times I said okay, i'm wastin these MFs, ran over there jumped up and slung some explosive darts at them. You can jump just high enough to where Ryu can hit them on the money. Two darts for each one will finish em off and they won't respawn. Then you could've did all the jumps taking your own sweet time....

[yacobschlomo]

Hey Daman, how did you get rid of those little helicopter thingies with the lasers? They are annoying the hell out of me right now.

I didn't even know what the Ninpo's were until I accidently used them on the boss in chapter 7. Guess I should start reading the instructions before I play some of these games.

[Daman_He_Hate_Me]

Hey Daman, how did you get rid of those little helicopter thingies with the lasers? They are annoying the hell out of me right now.

I didn't even know what the Ninpo's were until I accidently used them on the boss in chapter 7. Guess I should start reading the instructions before I play some of these games.

I sent u a private message, don't want to give out any spoilers. You got pretty darn far without using any Ninpo...

["The Game"Evolution]

Today I reached the military base and fought some bosses. Here I died several times. I had to reload, luckily I saved it before the battles, so I was able to get through it cleanly. I have to say, it really isn't fun fighting the military. The game feels much more at home when you are fighting bladed enemies or fiends. So hopefully this military base will be the only time you have to do this.

I may not finish it anytime soon, on my off days when I play XBOX i'm going to be online, plus I have to finish Metal Arms, so I may actually take a break from this game for a week. But who knows, the damn thing is so irresistable I may end up doing another level sometime over the weekend.

Hey GAME let me know if you need some tips, there are pretty tricky stages. I have already forsaken two Golden Scarabs one in Tairon that I just couldn't get to within a sane amount of time and one in the military base, but I think other than that I have just about everything else. Man, let me tell you after you enter the base, you are one well equipped S.O.B.

Everytime I get almost through Chapter 4 those Ninjas with the explosive shurikens kills my ass! Whats the deal? How do I get through this? Anybody?

[Bob-the-Fish]

Everytime I get almost through Chapter 4 those Ninjas with the explosive shurikens kills my ass! Whats the deal? How do I get through this? Anybody?

As long as you're blocking they can't stick their shurikens to you. Just stay away from walls because it is possible to get hit by the explosions. I just hold block and counter whenever one finishes his combo. Use the strong counter (Y) that keeps them in range for a quick combo. I don't have any trouble with them any more.

The end is a pain because you have to go through seven black ninjas then fight 3 big dragon things. On those the only thing I could work out was wait for one to charge then dodge and lay into him. Luckily, they don't seem to gang up so it is possible to take them on one at a time. Watch their heads so they don't do the bite and toss. Of course those three monsters are followed by a boss battle with no chance to save. The boss is pretty easy though, just be prepared, it can be a hard series of battles.

[Daman_He_Hate_Me]

Everytime I get almost through Chapter 4 those Ninjas with the explosive shurikens kills my ass! Whats the deal? How do I get through this? Anybody?

Yeah, what Bob said is right on the money. You have to use the block-counter attack scroll. Basically you stay blocked and while depressing the trigger, tap on the Y button after you block a shot, but don't release block. If you time it right, you will counter-attack. Then you have to follow-up and try and take that ninja out, as you eliminate them one by one, they get easier. Also, like Bob said, get away from the bombs they throw on the wall and behind you, it will take a sliver of life even if you are blocked. Just don't run away, keep holding block and roll away, this way you stay protected.

Another alternative is to use your ninp on the ninjas, if you just can't beat all of them. Use your ninpo fire-ball, that will kill two of them with one shot. If you have ninpo elixirs or more than one ninpo attack, use it twice. This won't be a big problem because those dinosaur demons Bob mentioned are easy to beat and so is the boss afterward, so you won't really need ninpo against them. Just hit and run.

[Darwin]

Yeah I did that. I always try to kill everything I come across. Except those freaking bow zombies. They're just too annoying. In fact, everything about that game has me pretty annoyed right now. Running down a disapearing walkway, avoiding swinging spike balls and all the while being shot at by giant arrows that knock you off is not my idea of a good time... Especially when the whacked out camera makes you miss the same jump over an over. First it's to the right an inch, then to the left, then to the left, then the right. I hate that camera.

I started playing around in that particular room but shut the game off to go eat. I'm pretty sure you'll want to take care of those archers before you attempt to cross that blue temporary bridge. Explosive shirokens work wonders on those archers at a distance. 2 should kill them. Or, 3 arrows should do the trick. Also, can't you fire arrows at the tops of the swinging spike balls to get them to slow down?

[Darwin]

Hey Daman, how did you get rid of those little helicopter thingies with the lasers? They are annoying the hell out of me right now.

I didn't even know what the Ninpo's were until I accidently used them on the boss in chapter 7. Guess I should start reading the instructions before I play some of these games.

You fought all the way to chapter 7 without Ninpo? I'm impressed.

[Darwin]

The end is a pain because you have to go through seven black ninjas then fight 3 big dragon things. On those the only thing I could work out was wait for one to charge then dodge and lay into him. Luckily, they don't seem to gang up so it is possible to take them on one at a time. Watch their heads so they don't do the bite and toss. Of course those three monsters are followed by a boss battle with no chance to save. The boss is pretty easy though, just be prepared, it can be a hard series of battles.

Those 3 red dragon-like feinds have a nastly bite. Unlike the black Ninjas, you cannot block the dragon fiends bite. Do not stand in front of the red dragon fiends while blocked and wait for them to attack. I found 2 very effective attacks against the dragons. 1) Wait till they get close to a wall, then do the jump-birdflip-y attack (that powerful downward slash). or 2) Repeated charged y-attacks (with or without absorbing yellow essence). When one get's fairly close, hold down on Y and then release it to slash him. Immediately hold down Y again, just enough to get it charged, and then release to do it again. Repeat this Y attack until they are dead. It does not matter if Ryu is facing them, he will automatically target the nearest enemy. This is actually how I beat them. I think this works well because the attack stuns them just long enough for you to do it again, and the attack slashes so far that Ryu ends up far enough away that they can't bite him. I also found that this repeated y attack is sometimes useful against the bone fiends, although it takes a long time.

[yacobschlomo]

You fought all the way to chapter 7 without Ninpo? I'm impressed.

I think it was a good thing that I didn't know how to use them. I would have relied on them too much. This way I've been able to improve my other skills. I am having a real tough time on the military base level with the tanks right now though.

[Gadfly2317]

As long as you're blocking they can't stick their shurikens to you. Just stay away from walls because it is possible to get hit by the explosions. I just hold block and counter whenever one finishes his combo. Use the strong counter (Y) that keeps them in range for a quick combo. I don't have any trouble with them any more.

The end is a pain because you have to go through seven black ninjas then fight 3 big dragon things. On those the only thing I could work out was wait for one to charge then dodge and lay into him. Luckily, they don't seem to gang up so it is possible to take them on one at a time. Watch their heads so they don't do the bite and toss. Of course those three monsters are followed by a boss battle with no chance to save. The boss is pretty easy though, just be prepared, it can be a hard series of battles.

After you beat the Ninja's that opens the pathway to the area where the three red monsters are, go back and save. That way, you can head back across the drawbridge easily, and fight some of the easier guys in town to make money and buy more health elixers if you need it.

But then, when you start again from the save point on either side of the drawbridge, all those exploding shuriken throwing ninjas re-appear and you have to go through them again. Don't waste your time fighting them. Just run and jump your ass off until you reach the plaza with the 3 red beasts (and after you kill them, the boss.) This way you have all your health and potions for the big fight rather than having lost half of it on the way trying to fight every damn ninja you meet. The three red creatures are pretty easy. Like many of the enemies in this game, stick near a wall, and wait for them to come to you. Back flip off the wall with a hard attack, and then wail in with a combo, and then attack them off the wall again. Don't stand in one place for long, or they'll get you in their jaws. You'll be through it in no time.

[Bob-the-Fish]

Don't waste your time fighting black ninjas

You're better off in the long run if you just learn how to deal with them in the open streets instead of waiting till later when you have to fight them in tunnels and small rooms. Like Daman and I have been saying, they really aren't that hard and if you get a decent combo, about 10 hits, they usually drop a life essence anyway so you shouldn't be wasting magic or potions on them. I actually look for them because it give me a chance to heal now.

I just started at the begining for the hell of it and got all the way to the tomb where you first fight the big zombies before I died once(I got mobbed and was dead before I could heal cause of the zombie humping). I had max potions just from picking them up off the street.

[Tappy_Tibbons]

Man, I think Im just gonna get SC: PT instead. It really looks spectacular.

[Darwin]

I got mobbed and was dead before I could heal cause of the zombie humping).

Yeah, those bone fiends really like to make out with Ryu if he stands up close too long. They get on top of him, full missionary and all ... and go to work on him. It's pretty sick. I was like, "Damn, I know my outfit is sexy, and I got a long glowing sword, but you guys gotta chill cause I ain't into that."

There are a few attacks where the enemies grab you and take lots of damage, and you cannot heal while the attack goes on, just like the zombie humping. If you're low on health and this happens ... it's game-over or talisman. The flying-chick fiend boss in the altar room did this to me and took my talisman. After I beat her, I saved (just to make sure) and then restarted from the previous save and fought her again, with much more success the second time. Durning that boss fight, I would Ninpo on her with my fireballs and sing, "She's on fire" (the song from Scarface, and subsequently Grand Theft Auto 3).

["The Game"Evolution]

You're better off in the long run if you just learn how to deal with them in the open streets instead of waiting till later when you have to fight them in tunnels and small rooms. Like Daman and I have been saying, they really aren't that hard and if you get a decent combo, about 10 hits, they usually drop a life essence anyway so you shouldn't be wasting magic or potions on them. I actually look for them because it give me a chance to heal now.

I just started at the begining for the hell of it and got all the way to the tomb where you first fight the big zombies before I died once(I got mobbed and was dead before I could heal cause of the zombie humping). I had max potions just from picking them up off the street.

I'm ready to see Chaper 5 already.Thanks again everybody for the info.

[Cuddly Knife]

Well, I would like to take this time to introduce myself as the newest XBOX owner. I got one a couple of days ago with Ninja Gaiden(of course), and I must say that I am impressed! Not just with the game, but with the whole XBOX .Custom soundtracks, where have you been all my life?!

Anyways, Ninja Gaiden kicks balls, and is the best action game I've played since Viewtiful Joe. Devil May Cry has nothin on this game. Neither will the next Onimusha. Right now I'm on chapter 7(I think I'm on the end of the level, getting my A$$ handed to me by_________. And you guys thought the Horsemen were hard?!! Just wait!

So, how many Scarabs have you guys collected? I got NINETEEN. What's your highest combo? Mine is SEVENTY-FOUR. The best weapon by far is the Vigoorian Flail, which is Nunchaku with sharpies on them. Awesome!!

I was also reding in the instructions that the only NG games are 1, 2, and 3, and not the arcade game, which is the best one, but oh well.

[Daman_He_Hate_Me]

Welcome to the XBOX peanut, hope you really enjoy it man. Are u going to be on LIVE?
I strung together a few 60 hit combos, but that was much earlier in the game. Now I purposely keep my combos low to avoid catching a whack by those nasty demons. The vigoroon FLAIL is tha most hardcore weapon in the game, it makes mince demon meat out of the enemy.

I didn't play much this weekend, when I was gaming it was on LIVE. But I played today and finished the aquaducts, damn I ran into problems. They start doubling up the bosses, and putting bosses in the middle of levels. Then the final boss is I think the hardest boss thus far, I lost my talisman each time I fought him. So I said forget it and cleared him, but my Talisman is gone bye bye.

Guess I'll see what dangers lurk in chapter 11 tomorrow.

[Bob-the-Fish]

So, how many Scarabs have you guys collected? I got NINETEEN. What's your highest combo? Mine is SEVENTY-FOUR. The best weapon by far is the Vigoorian Flail, which is Nunchaku with sharpies on them. Awesome!!

My longest combo is 214, with shurikens :) and I just got 22 scarabs. They gave me this massive sword that chops soldiers up nice. I put the game down for a while though. I'm having a hell of a time with the tank-tank-helicopter sequence at the end of chapter 9. I did discover that if you stand on the side of the tanks and enter first person aiming mode they will just drive around you all day. Now If I could set that up without lossing so much life trying to take out the infinite machine gunners that pop out, I could probably do it. How many guys can fit in those tanks anyway? Any tips on the helicopter Daman?

[Daman_He_Hate_Me]

I didn't enter first person shooting mode for the tanks or the helicopters. For the tanks don't worry about dodging the machine gun fire or shooting the machine gunner. Grab the APSD(or whatever) arrows, if you don't have any, when the tank first appears, jump and roll continuously until the main gun fires, after the main gun fires, shoot the tank as many times as possible using just the B button, when the tank is about to fire the main gun again, jump and roll continuously again. You will slice through each tank rather quickly. Assuming you don't get hit by the main gun, or ran over any, you probably will only lose about half your life. Be sure to replenish both types of arrows before moving on.

For the chopper, make sure you take out the two soldiers firing missiles at you cleanly, if you didn't use any elixirs on the tanks, take them out at close range, cause they each will give you blue(now you don't have to use an elixir) but u have to be close or the cut-scene will prevent you from getting the blue. For the chopper, the main thing you want to do is avoid the hell fire missiles. You want to always stand facing the helicopter and shooting at it, when it fires the missiles, wait a second until the missiles approach, then roll or jump away to the side, then prepare to do it again, cause the chopper usually fires two salvos. If you roll or jump away too soon, the missiles will track you and hit you, so you have to wait until the missiles are to close to change their trajectory. When not dodging missiles, engage the chopper using the B button, releasing as many arrows as quickly as possible. For some reason, Ryu, will miss the chopper a lot, just deal with it. You will end up taking a lot of machine gun fire, and you can count on a few missile salvos making contact, so you will go through some elixirs, maybe a great elixir to boot. But, I wouldn't lose my Talisman here if I were you. Just be ready to roll when the chopper is real close, you will have little time to dodge the salvos. When the chopper is far away, you must avoid those salvos. Also, you can use first person mode, but remember the half-second delay getting out could be costly.

[Renzatic Gear]

I played it earlier tonight..didn't get too deeply into it, but I got far enough to know that I like it.

The first 5 minutes of playing the game could be summed up as..

Starts Xbox..

Team Ninja logo...

"THE DRAGON SWORD...BLAH BLAH BLAH" Ohh...neat intro.

Ninja Gaiden logo...

Start Game...

"THE DRAGON SWORD...BLAH BLAH BLAH" wuh...WHAT THE HELL? I JUST WATCHED THIS LIKE 5 SECONDS AGO!

[Bob-the-Fish]

I played it earlier tonight..didn't get too deeply into it, but I got far enough to know that I like it.

The first 5 minutes of playing the game could be summed up as..

Starts Xbox..

Team Ninja logo...

"THE DRAGON SWORD...BLAH BLAH BLAH" Ohh...neat intro.

Ninja Gaiden logo...

Start Game...

"THE DRAGON SWORD...BLAH BLAH BLAH" wuh...WHAT THE HELL? I JUST WATCHED THIS LIKE 5 SECONDS AGO!

I thought that was a little weak too. You think with all the graphical goodness, they could at least swing for a different intro for the start menu as the actual game.

[Darwin]

[QUOTE=Daman_He_Hate_Me]When not dodging missiles, engage the chopper using the B button, releasing as many arrows as quickly as possible. For some reason, Ryu, will miss the chopper a lot, just deal with it.[QUOTE]

Well, I used first person view shooting and found it to be useful against this chopper. Ryu misses a lot when firing automatically at enemies from a far. I think this is the way the game "forces" you to use first person shooting. He might as well try using first person mode in the chopper boss, because he's gonna need to use first person mode in the upcoming segment.

Remember that you can zoom while in first person shooting. Going into first person mode and shooting at him while he's flying away from you and while he's at a distance is how I did most of my damage. And, when he's circling around you at a distance, you can use the first person mode to fire "ahead" of the chopper, like when a quarterback "leads" the receiver who is running.

[Bob-the-Fish]

[QUOTE=Darwin][Well, I used first person view shooting and found it to be useful against this chopper. QUOTE]

Is it possible to adjust the settings so that first person aiming uses an inverted control scheme? I think something about that was mentioned in the manual but I can't figure out how to change it. I'm just used to that set up and with the non-inverted controls, I always over compensate or end up shooting the sky.

[Daman_He_Hate_Me]

Good points Darwin,

I guess I was more focused on dodging, I felt as long as I could dodge 90% of the missiles, it was just a matter of time before the chopper would fall. Ryu does miss a hell of a lot in 3rd person mode. This just proves this game gives you many more ways than one to skin a cat, and that is indeed a good thing. Today, I was pissed at my ninja dog rating against the demon boss in chapter 10, so I went back