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Nightshade is the sequel to Shinobi on the PS2, and it shares much in common. You control a female ninja who can dart around and slash at great speeds. The framerate of the game is always 60 fps, keeping up with all the fast action. Like Shinobi, Nightshade uses a combat system where you accumulate power by defeating enemies, and this is especially useful against bosses. Nightshade has some new features over Shinobi, such as being able to use a stealth attack, which is great against bosses. The action is fast and practically on rails, so you rarely have to pause and ponder where to go. The difficulty gradually ramps up from easy at the start to hard. Unfortunately, the game falters in the later stages. You are required to jump across many tiny platforming areas, but your character moves way to fast and the camera is far too unstable for precision platforming. It makes almost no sense for a game that is primarily about action. It's as though Sega wanted to magnify the faults of the control scheme as much as possible. In spite of the awful platforming sequences, the game was addicting enough that I wanted to continue, but it brings down a game that otherwise has the right level of challenge.Read full review
I am a diehard Shinobi fan since 1986 Shinobi Arcade. Starting from the sega master system, to the nintendo, sega game gear, and finally to the PS2. Shinobi is the only reason I still have a Playstation 2. Nightshade is a spin-off sequel to Shinobi but not as traditional or realistic. This version you play as a female ninja in a techno story line. The hellspawn remind me of knock-off yodas and you also spend a lot of time slicing enemy machinery. The story is good/reasonable and the stage bosses are original but seem weak. The music, graphics, and controls are good but could have been better. Overall I would rate it a 7 of 10 because it lacks refinement or it's missing something. Shinobi would have been so much better if they allowed Hotsuma to use the manriki chain, nunchaku, or at least let his brother use the double swords. i like these games as you can appreciate japanese tradition and the old sense of self-scarifice and HONOR. Just not your typical super combo hack and slash game. Both games are difficult and reqiure you to build your skills. On the other hand Ninja Gaiden is also a great game to look into: better graphics, stronger story, well developed characters, but more fantasy than the Shinobi line.Read full review
I played this game originally as the Japanese Kunoichi, since my friend owns a Japanese PS2 and can read it better than I can. Seems like a bit of a collector's item, despite not being very popular. On the game side of it though, the learner's curve is pretty high. You gotta have twitch reflexes and sharp senses to be able to get through this one. It makes my forearm ache from having to be so quick on the controller. Anyway, the gameplay itself and concepts are great. If you don't like it, then you don't like Sega action games. (Oddly enough, I don't like Sega action games but I love this...). Despite what some might think to be "another ninja game", the characters are pretty memorable and the concepts and the way the game is executed is pretty unique. Maybe that's why it's so hit and miss with a lot of reviewers. For me, I think it's the first game I've played that actually made me feel cool to play it. The acrobatics and ninja simulation is pretty BA in my opinion. I wouldn't dump 50 dollars on the game, but games are about being enjoyed. If you ask me, this game delivers. The plot and scenery is pretty immersive and the music is right on. Sets a great tone and feel for the levels. All in all, great game. Buuut, no game is ever perfect, though some may come close. This game has a number of annoying caveats... First thing (I don't really mind) is the learner's curve. It's steep... Given the game's impulse-driven system, you gotta know what each button does without thinking. You'll adjust over time, it just takes a lot of time. Second, Sega can't make good 3D cameras worth junk. Admittedly the camera in Nightshade is the best I've seen yet, it's still awkard and behaves pretty weird... And last but least (yes least), does anybody actually KNOW what Kunoichi really were? :-X They sure weren't like Hibana...Read full review
The sequel is a hit and miss with fans. Its gameplay is similar with some improvements. There is More unlockable content. I love the game and consider it a good sequel. The soundtrack was neat and different. The levels can be long but fans may like the challenge.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
I don´t know Shinobi (PS2), but this sequel isn´t soo good. She is beutifull and sensual. But the game system is strange. Different of an action game that que big deal is smash enemies with sword, weapons and special moves. You can run in the direction of a enemy and select a hit sequence, but the game force you in the usage of a chain sequence, that consist of kill in sequence the more quantity of enemies in a short time each other and than you see a little movie with the sequence. More enemies killed, better the movie sequence and effects. (what is good) You need to be fast to see the better movie effects. The graphics are ok! But not conventional. I don´t like so much the musics and sounds. May be if you play Shinobi, you can like this too.
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