20 Awesome Ninja Games #14: Shinobi (PS2)

On 02/20/2014 at 11:26 AM by The Last Ninja

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Linked to Article Series: Blog a Day (BaD) 2014

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Released: 2002

System: Playstation 2

Developer: Overworks

Publisher: Sega

Shinobi is a hack n' slash game which revives the classic character into more of a modern 3D game. Hotsuma is the name of the protagonist (good ol' Joe Musashi is gone), and the plot is way too deep for me to go into. Tons of enemies will cover the screen as Hotsuma takes them down with incredible speed and power. Hotsuma's sword eats souls, so he must make sure to defeat enemies as quickly as possible. Shinobi is a very hard game, yet very good; this is no game for casual ninja fans, no, this is for a true ninja master. Not only is the gameplay intense, but the game has a great soundtrack too. Hotsuma himself has received strong praise; he's noted for being very awesome, stylish, sleek, and full of ninjatastic fighting moves. His scarf alone is incredibly awesome! Could he possibly be the coolest ninja in video games?

Joaquim Mira Media Manager

02/20/2014 at 11:36 AM

I got to this butterfly like boss. I couldn't beat it because I couldn't master the "lock-on" attack or something, and I quit. It's been a few years hahaha, but I had fun while it lasted. The scarf is definitely awesome. I remember the commercial for this game is what caught my attention.

The Last Ninja

02/20/2014 at 01:37 PM

Dude, you got beat by a butterfly? It must have been a giant ninja butterfly! lol

02/20/2014 at 02:44 PM

hahaha

Matt Snee Staff Writer

02/20/2014 at 11:43 AM

never played this. never heard of it. thought they quit with the Genesis.

02/20/2014 at 01:38 PM

It doesn't have the reputation of the Genesis games, but it's still a very solid and cool game. The Shinobi game for 3DS is very good as well.

Super Step Contributing Writer

02/20/2014 at 11:49 AM

My older brother rented this I'm pretty sure. I still have the EGM poster somewhere. Might have left that at home, though.

02/20/2014 at 01:39 PM

I imagine that poster must be pretty awesome.

Aboboisdaman

02/20/2014 at 11:50 AM

I rented this game when I briefly had a subscription to Gamefly. I liked it, but didn't manage to make it that far. Mostly I just remember it being hard as hell.

Yeah, it's ninja hard (much like the old Shinobi games).

BrokenH

02/20/2014 at 02:13 PM

I miss these games a lot. I was also big into Onimusha and Fatal Frame that were also very deeply steeped in Japanese lore & customs.

By the way, Blood Will Tell (Real name Dororo) is a Masterpiece! Hard as hell but it's excellent from start to finish. I've never played any game like it before.

KnightDriver

02/20/2014 at 04:49 PM

Ooo, I bought Blood Will Tell and Nightshade recently. I was looking up games by dev Sega Wow is why.

02/20/2014 at 06:10 PM

You'll like Blood Will Tell! Howver, the last boss is INSANE. But even the trip getting there is well worth it. I was pretty surprised by just how much content was in Blood Will Tell. Action games with that much meat on their bones are not as common these days.

02/21/2014 at 03:28 AM

Cool, I can't wait to play it.

C.S.3590SquadLeader

02/20/2014 at 04:53 PM

Never played the game, but I still have the poster featuring it that came with an old issue of EGM.

jgusw

02/20/2014 at 06:03 PM

I wanted to love this game, but it's such a bitch! When I got to the level that had no floor, I said, "Man, f this." and quit. Hadn't touched it in over a decade.

Cary Woodham

02/20/2014 at 06:25 PM

I never played this one because I heard it was stupid hard. I hear there is a sequel that stars one of the ninja lady characters. Lady ninjas are cool.

02/20/2014 at 11:58 PM

Yes, the name of the sequel is "Nightshade." I'm not sure if it's any good though.

02/21/2014 at 03:29 AM

Yea, I have this one, but haven't played it yet.

PixlBit