PS2 (NTSC
U/C)
-Nightshade by SEGA (Yay!)
release on 14/2/2004
Genre: Action
Boxshot:
Preview:
Tokyo is beginning the slow and tedious process of repairs after
defeating Hirukos demon minions. Just as life is returning to
normal, a new rift opens between Earth and the evil realm,
threatening the population once again. Unwilling to take such
supernatural threats lightly, the Japanese government enlists the
talents of Hibana, a skilled kunoichi (female ninja) with a keen
understanding of both martial and mystical arts.
In less than a years time, Overworks (now renamed Sega Wow) had
been able to follow-up on their underrated PS2 ninja title Shinobi
with the female-fronted Kunoichi. With such a short development
period I wasnt expecting to be amazed, especially knowing that
this was meant to be a side-story. Yet I did know that the gameplay
of Shinobi would stay practically intact, so I was expecting to at
least be satisfied with Kunoichi. As it turned out, not only was I
amazed, Overworks also took the time to distance Kunoichi from
Shinobi from an aesthetic standpoint.
Story-wise, things start off where Shinobi ended. The cursed sword
Akujiki has been shattered into several pieces and scattered all
over Tokyo. The enigmatic Nakatomi Corporation has started to
collect all parts of the sword for a diabolical purpose. You play
Hibana a highly skilled ninja enlisted by the Japanese government
to investigate Nakatomi and recover the swords segments.
Right from the beginning the differences from Shinobi become
apparent. Overall, Kunoichi is highly technofied, from the
pre-game menus to Hibanas computer-helmet interface during the cut
scenes. This game means to do away with the traditional Japanese
settings of temples and cherry blossom shrines that was seen in
Shinobi. Its amazing how easy cursors, hexagonal layouts, and data
screens can give a game like this a futuristic feel. These are just
some of the many differences that, in my opinion, make Kunoichi
less of an orthodox ninja title and more of a comic book superhero
game.
The gameplay is as good as it gets. Attacks are straightforward
when used in harmony with the lock-on. Pulling of time-sensitive
consecutive attacks create the games combos, known from Shinobi as
tate. Shurikens have a stun capability though lose their
usefulness as the game progresses since the presence of armored
foes escalates. The Shinobi staple of ninja magic is also present.
Aside from these familiar features, Kunoichi one-ups things with
added moves that are both helpful and manageable. One of these
moves is an enhanced kick that is a necessary attack in disabling
some enemy defenses. Not only can it be used on the ground but also
in mid-air, in which case it doubles as a flight move to keep you
briefly airborne, that is if you can make contact with a target.
Theres also a double-sword attack that not only delivers a stylish
assault, but also increases Hibanas hit count.
Two significant gameplay changes over Shinobi are the dramatically
high tate-counts and an adjustment in the charge-up attack.
Double-digit tates are commonplace and even triple-digit tates are
possible provided youre good enough. The developers did an
ingenious though simple job of fading out tated targets in order to
reduce enemy over-population and slowdown. While the charge-up
attack in Shinobi was somewhat useful, it has become more of a
necessity in Kunoichi. Saving up power for the charge-up becomes an
objective in order to defeat certain bosses.
The cinematic tate finishes are eye-catching, putting Hibana in
several poses, many accentuating her femininity. Many times shell
wish her enemies oyasumi (goodnight) as they fall apart from her
tate. One particular finish is presented in a grainy kung-fu film
style (which was the rage in 2003 with such titles as Viewtiful Joe
and Kung Fu Chaos), Its well done though feels out of place in a
game like Kunoichi.
Speaking of sci-fi Kunoichi is also less of a traditional ninja
game because of its dominant monster theme. Perhaps Overworks 2003
merger with Segas Wow Entertainment has inspired an
extra-terrestrial vibe since many of Kunoichis enemies could have
been lifted from Wows Alien Front Online. These include
spider-like beasts, humongous worms, oversized flying insects and
fortified beetles. Essentially, the game has a lot of giant bugs
that will give you Starship Troopers flashbacks. Yes, there is a
fair amount of ninjas though they share the enemy duties with these
monsters as well as with various mechanical weapons.
For those who found the level designs of Shinobi to be plain and
unimaginative, theyll find less to complain about in Kunoichi.
Although most of the stages have a standard get to point-B
approach, there are a multitude of challenges to face aside from
the typical hordes of enemies. A number of the stages are set in
the Nakatomi complex (though you dont revisit the Nakatomi stage
from Shinobi) and this facility offers maze-like corridors, deep
stairwells, and Akira/Metal Gear Solid-inspired inclined moving
platforms. There are even challenging though welcomed
moving-vehicle stages that involve a bit of multitasking, not to
mention platform-heavy areas. Finally, there are more than enough
bottomless stages to keep things perpetually tense though rewarding
once cleared.
I am grateful that Kunoichi retains free-camera accessibility. You
can spin the camera around 360 degrees along the horizontal plane
and tilt the camera up and down to a considerable degree, keeping
Hibana centered as much as possible. The camera is also agile
enough to switch from target to target instantly no matter where
targets are in relation to Hibana (provided the lock-on is
activate). Optimum graphical detail was sacrificed in order to
provide this kind of camera flexibility, which I feel this was an
incredibly wise decision by the developers.
Like its predecessor, Kunoichi has a number of worthwhile bonuses
to enhance its replay value. In fact, there are noticeably more
extras here than in Shinobi. Aside from the additional characters
and costumes, theres a host of additional modes outside the main
game. Theres the Survival Mode, which as you might expect, pits
you against a seemingly endless roster of the games enemies.
Mission Mode is a VR style array of demanding assignments. Time
Attack features speed-emphasized objectives.
The music is a perfect fit for this modern-day setting. The tunes
lean heavily towards electronic music though there is the
occasional genre deviation and even a revisit from a Shinobi track.
Composition quality ranges from remarkable to simply appropriate.
My personal favorite is Stage 2s background music, which is a
pounding, forward-moving techno track.
Despite that Kunoichi is sparse in the classical ninja sense, it
doesnt stop it from being a must-have. Even after all the coins
are collected and the various difficulties are beaten, the gameplay
is seemless, addictive and trouble-free enough to keep the average
adventure gamer coming back, even if its just a 10 minute fix for
a stage or two.
estimated price $76
