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Post by Ex on Jan 30, 2018 10:37:23 GMT -5
What are some of your all time favorite Ninja/Samurai games Toei? You seem to have an affinity for the theme.
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Post by toei on Jan 31, 2018 10:50:34 GMT -5
Definitely do, though it's a pretty recent interest of mine. I even entertained the thought of writing a book about the topic of samurai-themed games, but I'm afraid no one would buy it, so I just stick to writing hardcoregaming101 articles for now.
Bushido Blade 2 is what really made me get the appeal of swordplay and samurai in videogames. I like the first game, but I find the second has a cleaner, more logical system. I think the idea of a fighting game where a single hit can kill is genius. Everything's about creating and seizing an opening. I like Samurai Shodown for similar reasons, though they're closer to standard 2d fighters (which I like too, anyway). I was already a fan of the Shinobi series before, though I actually have yet to play Shinobi 3, which by all accounts is the best in the series. I like the earlier, Rolling Thunder-inspired entries a lot, the fact that they're so pure and methodical. Unfortunately I can't stand stealth, so even though I like the atmosphere of the Tenchu series, I can't get into them. I'm also fond of Konami's PSX title Soul of the Samurai.
There's an indie fighter I've played a lot with friends, but it's not old enough to discuss it here.
I also plan to get into Onimusha and Way of the Samurai in the near future.
EDIT - I should also mention that the first two Sengoku Denshou games (NEO GEO) have some of the best backgrounds and enemy designs of all times, but they're nearly unplayable. There's a level where you're just walking on the backs of a galloping herd of purple ghost horses, and one where a giant otherworldy man beats a drum in the background while you're fighting on horseback. Crazy stuff.
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Post by Ex on Jan 31, 2018 12:13:40 GMT -5
Onimusha and Way of the Samurai I can definitely see you enjoying those. I'd also recommend Ninja Five-O (GBA), Shadow of the Ninja (NES), Ninja Gaiden Shadow (GB), Ninja Gaiden (SMS), Return of the Ninja (GBC), Kaze Kiri (PCECD), The Ninjawarriors Again (SFC), Shounen Ninja Sasuke (SFC)... maybe Ninja - Shadow of Darkness (PS1). I'm sure there's a lot more I'm forgetting that are worth your time. I have to assume you've played the classic NES Ninja Gaiden games.
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Post by toei on Jan 31, 2018 12:55:24 GMT -5
I've tried most of those old-school ninja games. I finished Ninja Five-O, it was decent but I disliked the grappling mechanic. Not the biggest fan of Ninja Gaiden, I find the enemy patterns overly annoying and don't like the way they respawn. I do plan to play them again at some point. I really want to play the X-BOX game eventually, though.
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Post by Ex on Jan 31, 2018 21:17:12 GMT -5
Toei did you ever play Strider 2? Seriously great ninja action.
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Post by Xeogred on Jan 31, 2018 22:12:22 GMT -5
I've tried most of those old-school ninja games. I finished Ninja Five-O, it was decent but I disliked the grappling mechanic. Not the biggest fan of Ninja Gaiden, I find the enemy patterns overly annoying and don't like the way they respawn. I do plan to play them again at some point. I really want to play the X-BOX game eventually, though. Others here can knock me on it, but I still haven't really gotten into NES Ninja Gaiden much myself... but that Xbox game man, one of my top favorite action games of all time. An essential 10/10. If you haven't played it, Shinobi 3 is an 11/10 on the Genesis. I actually can't really get into the other Shinobi games much either. You can't run in them and half of the bosses are licensed jokes. But Shinobi 3 was all serious business and sci-fi ninja badassery with one of the best OST's ever! EDIT: Oh I guess you haven't played it yet... DO IT!
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Post by dunpeal2064 on Feb 1, 2018 3:53:17 GMT -5
Xeo, my Gaiden brother, you gotta get into NES Ninja Gaiden! Its so damn good!
Oddly, I think Shadow Dancer might be my favorite Shinobi game I've played, but I really enjoy all 3. Shinobi 3 certainly has the style and movekit down, and its the most approachable of the three, but I do like the sort of "thinking man" approach that Revenge takes. I need to play more of these games.
Strider 2 looks so damn good. 2D ninja games I always think of when the topic is brought up:
The Ninja Warriors Again: Not the most ninja-y game, but its absurdly good.
Hagane: Hyped for its rarity, but its really good. Its also not nearly as hard as its made out to be. Super playable character with a huge moveset, and some great set pieces.
Psychic Killer Taromaru: Hey, another rare game. Actually, so is TNWA, and Ninja Five-0. I guess those ninjas are hard to track down. Taromaru is a little different, almost gives me vibes as if Alisia Dragoon had a ninja baby. Well worth checking out.
And yes, the Ninja Gaiden reboots on Xbox and 360 are S-tier gaming.
On topic, I am now playing Resident Evil 4! Just made it into the Castle, really enjoying it so far.
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Post by Xeogred on Feb 1, 2018 7:44:16 GMT -5
I'm actually not sure if I've played Shadow Dancer. Revenge of Shinobi is still cool though, excellent music and graphics, but it's definitely way harder than Shinobi 3 to me. I need to give it more time. But man it's hard going back with how good your moveset is in Shinobi 3, haha.
I can't get past level 2 or something in Hagane!!! Beautiful game but it seems pretty tough to me. Some of the controls like the horizontal air dash are a little funky. I want to give this one more time as well.
Love the castle in RE4! It goes on forever though, lol...
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Post by Ex on Feb 1, 2018 10:33:45 GMT -5
I know lots of people love the classic NES Ninja Gaidens, but a lot of those selfsame people haven't given the GB or SMS entries a shot. Why should they? Because the GB/SMS entries are quality exclusive Ninja Gaiden experiences, not merely ports. Master System Game Boy On topic, I am now playing Resident Evil 4! Just made it into the Castle, really enjoying it so far. That's great to hear. I figured it'd be hard not to enjoy RE4. If I had any complaint at all, the game's a tad long. Almost too much of a good thing. Almost. Still wonderful though.
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Post by toei on Feb 1, 2018 10:53:42 GMT -5
Xeored - The Shinobi series is divided into three main types. The last of them is the 3D, PS2 revivals, but we're going to stick to the first two. Type is the highly methodical game with short levels where you die in one hit. There are always two planes you can jump between, lot of thing to hide behind, and hostages you have to rescue. Their design is very simple and pure, and they're all about advancing cautiously and memorizing levels and patterns. They take heavily after a series called Rolling Thunder. These include the original arcade Shinobi, the arcade Shadow Dancer, and the Genesis Shadow Dancer, which is actually an entirely different game with all-new levels (basically a sequel with the same title, for whatever reason). The second type is known in Japan as "Super Shinobi". The first was Revenge, the second Shinobi III, and Shinobi Legions on the Saturn is in the same mold. They are more typical ninja side-scrollers / platformers with life gauges and larger, more sprawling levels. Oh, and for the record, you can run in Legions, too. The Game Gear Shinobis are closer to that type. There aren't really a ton licensed bosses; 2-3, maybe, and most of them were more inspirations / parodies than actual licenses, as was common at the time.
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I tried Taromaru yesterday. The Alisia Dragoon half-shmup gameplay really isn't for me. I played Strider 2 a year or two ago and liked it, very impressive, super arcadey game. It's on my list. I don't care for the rest of the series, though. People compare Hagane to Shinobi, but I can't see it. Aside from the fact that it's too futuristic to have a ninja vibe, it just doesn't play anything like any Shinobi. Shinobi always stood out as a little more deliberately-paced, it's sort of the opposite philosophy as say, Treasure's super-busy action games. I like that about it. By contrast Hagane is just another shit-blowing-up-everywhere game. Also, it's too damn hard! Oh, and I should mention I've played some Shinobi 3, I just never sat down with it and played through the whole thing. I definitely intend to.
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