Ninja Blade
Encyclopedia
is a video game developed and published by From Software
for Microsoft Windows
and Xbox 360
. The game has been categorized as a "cinematic action game
," combining a mixture of hack and slash
elements with context-sensitive commands.
The characters were designed by Keiji Nakaoka while the soundtrack is by Norihiko Hibino
's GEM Impact
studio. The animation was produced by Production I.G, and the game was released in 2009.
, using a katana, twin swords and broad sword as the main weapon to the hostile creatures. Combat system is similar to Ninja Gaiden
or Devil May Cry
. A chi
bar is used up when "ninja vision" or ninjutsu
is used. The gameplay is highly cinematic, relying on quick time event
s to finish missions; after attacking a boss until the health bar is empty, the player must perform a finishing move.
it was found out they are infected by a strange type of hookworm
parasite, which was classified as "Alpha-worm". Conventional medicine had no effects on the patients and the worms deformed the victims, but the infection increased the strength and resilience of the people infected. The infected eventually broke free and attacked the researchers and, due to a fear of an outbreak, the military assaulted the facility and destroyed all traces of the infected. To prevent panic, governments of the world kept the Alpha-worms secret. Eventually, after a massive outbreak of Alpha-worm infestation takes over the city of Tokyo
, an elite ninja force including the young Ken Ogawa, and led by his father Kanbe, is sent to deal with the situation.
s. From Software worked with Microsoft
in creating the game's protagonist, Ken Ogawa. Ninja Blade producer Masanori Takeuchi states: "We worked closely with Microsoft in creating Ken. They provided us with lots of useful feedback and insightful consumer research of worldwide gamers. By cooperating and working together, Ken has become more appealing to a wider audience." Character Ken Ogawa was designed by Capcom
2nd Character Development Studio designer Keiji Nakaoka.
Ninja Blade was commonly referred to as Otogi 3 by various sources before its official announcement. Ninja Blade planner Kazuhiro Hamatani noted that while not a direct sequel or spiritual successor to Otogi
, that the game would contain action-adventure elements of which fans of the Otogi series would like.
A demo for Ninja Blade was released in Japan on December 29, 2008. The demo was released in North America on March 10, 2009.
.
Ninja Blade was named Game of the Month in the June 2009 issue of GamePro
, with a rating of 5/5 stars. In GamePro
's The Best of 2009 awards, it was one of the five titles nominated for Best Game No One Played.
From Software
is a Japanese video game company founded in November 1986 known primarily for being the developers of the Armored Core, Demon's Souls, King's Field, Otogi and Tenchu series.-Games:...
for Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
and Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
. The game has been categorized as a "cinematic action game
Action game
Action game is a video game genre that emphasizes physical challenges, including hand–eye coordination and reaction-time. The genre includes diverse subgenres such as fighting games, shooter games, and platform games, which are widely considered the most important action games, though some...
," combining a mixture of hack and slash
Hack and slash
Hack and slash or hack and slay, abbreviated H&S or HnS, refers to a type of gameplay that emphasizes combat. "Hack and slash" was originally used to describe an aspect of pen-and-paper role-playing games , carrying over from there to MUDs, MMORPGs, and video games in general...
elements with context-sensitive commands.
The characters were designed by Keiji Nakaoka while the soundtrack is by Norihiko Hibino
Norihiko Hibino
is a Japanese video game composer and saxophonist.-Biography:After graduating from Berklee College of Music, he moved to Kansas City to start a career as a solo jazz musician...
's GEM Impact
GEM Impact
GEM Impact is an audio production studio founded by game composer and saxophonist Norihiko Hibino in 2005. It is located in Tokyo, Japan, and employs a number of composers, producers, and artists...
studio. The animation was produced by Production I.G, and the game was released in 2009.
Gameplay
The player plays as a modern-day ninjaNinja
A or was a covert agent or mercenary of feudal Japan specializing in unorthodox arts of war. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination, as well as open combat in certain situations...
, using a katana, twin swords and broad sword as the main weapon to the hostile creatures. Combat system is similar to Ninja Gaiden
Ninja Gaiden
is a series of video games by Tecmo featuring the ninja Ryu Hayabusa as its protagonist. The series was originally known as in Japan. The word "gaiden" in the North American Ninja Gaiden title means "side-story" in Japanese, even though the Ninja Gaiden series is not a spinoff of a previous series...
or Devil May Cry
Devil May Cry
is an action game developed and published by Capcom, released in 2001 for the PlayStation 2. Although it is the first game in the series of the same name, the events in Devil May Cry are second in the series storyline's chronological order, taking place after Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening and...
. A chi
Chi
Chi may refer to:Chinese chi is an energy or form of life*Chi , a traditional Chinese unit of length , approximately 1/3 of a meter*Chi , a dragon in Chinese mythology...
bar is used up when "ninja vision" or ninjutsu
Ninjutsu
or may be:*the arts associated with espionage and assassination in feudal Japan, see Ninja*modern schools of martial arts claiming to be based in these traditions, see Modern Schools of Ninjutsu*fictional depictions, see Ninja in popular culture...
is used. The gameplay is highly cinematic, relying on quick time event
Quick Time Event
In video games, a Quick Time Event is a method of context-sensitive gameplay in which the player performs actions on the control device shortly after the appearance of an on-screen prompt. It allows for limited control of the game character during cut scenes or cinematic sequences in the game...
s to finish missions; after attacking a boss until the health bar is empty, the player must perform a finishing move.
Story
In 2015, a small village was attacked by unknown creatures and the survivors were moved to a research facility where they underwent examination. While at the research facility, the survivors began to show symptoms of necrotizing fasciitisNecrotizing fasciitis
Necrotizing fasciitis , commonly known as flesh-eating disease or Flesh-eating bacteria syndrome, is a rare infection of the deeper layers of skin and subcutaneous tissues, easily spreading across the fascial plane within the subcutaneous tissue.Necrotizing fasciitis is a quickly progressing and...
it was found out they are infected by a strange type of hookworm
Hookworm
The hookworm is a parasitic nematode that lives in the small intestine of its host, which may be a mammal such as a dog, cat, or human. Two species of hookworms commonly infect humans, Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus. A. duodenale predominates in the Middle East, North Africa, India...
parasite, which was classified as "Alpha-worm". Conventional medicine had no effects on the patients and the worms deformed the victims, but the infection increased the strength and resilience of the people infected. The infected eventually broke free and attacked the researchers and, due to a fear of an outbreak, the military assaulted the facility and destroyed all traces of the infected. To prevent panic, governments of the world kept the Alpha-worms secret. Eventually, after a massive outbreak of Alpha-worm infestation takes over the city of Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, an elite ninja force including the young Ken Ogawa, and led by his father Kanbe, is sent to deal with the situation.
Development
The concept for Ninja Blade initially came when From Software thrived to create a game that conveyed to the gamer the same intense sequences from those of Hollywood action filmAction film
Action film is a film genre where one or more heroes is thrust into a series of challenges that require physical feats, extended fights and frenetic chases...
s. From Software worked with Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
in creating the game's protagonist, Ken Ogawa. Ninja Blade producer Masanori Takeuchi states: "We worked closely with Microsoft in creating Ken. They provided us with lots of useful feedback and insightful consumer research of worldwide gamers. By cooperating and working together, Ken has become more appealing to a wider audience." Character Ken Ogawa was designed by Capcom
Capcom
is a Japanese developer and publisher of video games, known for creating multi-million-selling franchises such as Devil May Cry, Chaos Legion, Street Fighter, Mega Man and Resident Evil. Capcom developed and published Bionic Commando, Lost Planet and Dark Void too, but they are less known. Its...
2nd Character Development Studio designer Keiji Nakaoka.
Ninja Blade was commonly referred to as Otogi 3 by various sources before its official announcement. Ninja Blade planner Kazuhiro Hamatani noted that while not a direct sequel or spiritual successor to Otogi
Otogi
Otogi: Myth of Demons, known in Japan as simply Otogi , is a hack and slash action game by From Software, published by Sega for the Xbox...
, that the game would contain action-adventure elements of which fans of the Otogi series would like.
A demo for Ninja Blade was released in Japan on December 29, 2008. The demo was released in North America on March 10, 2009.
Reception
Overall, the game has received mixed to positive reviews with an aggregate score of 66/100 on MetacriticMetacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
.
Ninja Blade was named Game of the Month in the June 2009 issue of GamePro
GamePro
GamePro Media was a United States gaming media company publishing online and print content on the video game industry, video game hardware, and video game software developed for a video game console , a computer, and/or a mobile device . GamePro Media properties include GamePro magazine and...
, with a rating of 5/5 stars. In GamePro
GamePro
GamePro Media was a United States gaming media company publishing online and print content on the video game industry, video game hardware, and video game software developed for a video game console , a computer, and/or a mobile device . GamePro Media properties include GamePro magazine and...
's The Best of 2009 awards, it was one of the five titles nominated for Best Game No One Played.