Shinobi Review

Shinobi is a rare little gem of a game: a title that comes along every now and then, one that is relatively under the radar when compared to the hype and publicity most big-name releases have and also one that manages to impress despite its low production values. The 3D remake of an arcade classic, Shinobi is a game full of variety, something that is relatively absent from releases of today.

One could say that Shinobi is a side-scroller that has you working your way through room after room defeating ninjas whilst trying to get the highest score possible but there's a little more to it than that. Sure, when you break it down that's basically what it is, but the variety it has to it keeps this feeling fresh. Levels vary from fighting on moving cars to earning points atop a speeding bullet train and then all the way to controlling a surf board by tilting the 3DS itself. Whilst Shinobi, there's always a sense of anticipation and wonder at what Sega will throw at you next but you also have the knowledge that whatever it is it will be awesome.

Shinobi actually controls very well. It's simple but effective. Consisting of four main buttons, Shinobi is a joy to play because it's fast, fluid and very easy to do but difficult to master. Over the course of the game, you'll jump, fight, swing and throw shurikens at room after room of ninja enemies, slowly increasing your score with every one you kill. Within seconds of Shinobi starting, you'll be performing these actions like you've been playing it for ages but it will take you ages for you to be the best you can be at them. Combining jumps with shuriken throws and the odd swipe from your sword can look incredibly satisfying when pulled off successfully.

Shinobi also features a lovely art style that suits the 3D well and looks very nice when in motion. Like I've mentioned in past reviews, I wasn't a huge fan of the 3DS initially: I found it irritating and hugely disappointing. Despite this, I've grown to like the handheld considerably more with every game I've tested on it and Shinobi has only helped my love for Nintendo's newest system. Shinobi is just beautiful when the slider is fully up and is a true sight to behold: things fly out of the screen at you and the environments just look so good because of the depth they have to them. The graphical style of Shinobi reminded me considerably of the old classic Okami: a Japanese watercolour painting come to life and the 3D only enhances this.

But Shinobi is like any other game: it's not perfect. The main problem in Shinobi may not be classed as a problem by some but it did irritate me slightly. The game doesn't really explain the story that well and will have you scratching your head not because you're thinking about what's going to happen next but because it's pretty difficult to know what's going on exactly in the first place. But Shinobi isn't a game that's going to be played for its story so this is a problem that can be overlooked completely.

Looking back, this review feels pretty short when compared to some of my others but I feel I've ran out of things to say. That's not to say that there's little to say about Shinobi but because there's only really so much you can say the same point over and over again. But I'm going to say it once more before I finish, the game is just so much fun. There, I've said it. I won't mention it again. Shinobi is a classic revisited. A classic that just got better. Simply put, Shinobi is a bloody good time.