Ninja Shodown Review - Is it unplayable or just too difficult?

nehashetty (58)in #gaming • 7 years ago

This hack and slash ninja game promises a lot of multiplayer fun and enough variation through the six different game modes. Is Ninja Shodown coming true to this promise?

Retrovibe

At the start of the game, the retro-style looks immediately. It's a lot of thought about fighting games in the 90's. The commentator who spells out the name of the game adds an extra boost to it. This sets the tone in style and atmosphere for the rest of the game. Level and character designs are heavily borrowed from similar games, which should not be a problem. Only this chosen graphic style does not really get out of the paint on a big HD television. The game became very intense to my eyes, sometimes after a few pots I saw even double. With a slightly smaller HD television and a bit more lights it was a lot better. Games like Ninja Shodown should also not have their graphics splendor, but the gameplay.

Hack and slash on it, alone and together

With regard to gameplay, there are three different modes, namely arcade versus (which can be chosen from four different game types) and infinite mode. Arcade and infinity can only be played, while you need for at least two players. There is no possibility of playing with CPs here. Another big miss I find a full-featured singleplayer mode. In the arcade mode, you'll find a flattering story about sword reclamation as a member of the so-called "viperclan", but it does not really matter in the gameplay. It just rams until you reach the end. There could certainly have been more on this point.
It's actually better to play all game modes with more people, especially in the opposite mode, you can choose from enough known game types for what hours of fun. Think of conquer the crown or collect most coins. There are only so many of these games that I doubt if I start this game more often than for example a Hyrule Warriors or another similar game.

my-two-credits-ninja-shodown-nintendo-switch-jumping-out-of-the-way.jpg

Is it unplayable or just too difficult?

A hack and slash game falls or stands when it comes to control. Ninja Shodown has a good idea of what features all the buttons have. It may take a few pots to get used to the controls, but I have not encountered any strange or illogical buttons. The difficulty of the game, however, causes the necessary frustration. For example, during my first session, I did not manage to go beyond level 2... and that's not because of my bad skills. The progress of the arcade stand is almost entirely unavailable. The life design works very well against it and causes many unnecessary mistakes. The slaughter of the enemy is also not always good, because the ninja does not always respond well and on time. Perhaps the small bugs can be remedied with an update.

Conclusion

Let me say that I want to always give the indie games the advantage, but unfortunately, Ninja Shodown knows just too many shortcomings. The combination of a poorly crafted graphic style, life design and build-up difficulty creates too much frustration. Together with friends, the game is fun for events, but whether you want to pay 13 euros for it?

Thanks for reading.