Developed By: NatsumeAtari, Tengo Project
Published By: ININ Games
Categories: Platformer, Action
Release Date: 08.29.24
Price: $19.99
It’s always a joy when a new AtariNatsume/Tengo Project title is released. Truly from all angles. Some of the absolute best spritework in the industry, let alone modern day. Classic gameplay, more often just being how it played back in the day with the original title, but smoother. Their work may mostly be remakes, but it’s the kind of remake that shows respect for the original work, and very much the teams having that “second go” to improve on their past work. While we’ve had Pocky and Rocky, The Ninja Warriors, and Wild Guns before, we’re now at Shadow of the Ninja. Their previous work, arcade and SNES games. Now, an 8bit NES game, and the improvements can only be described at breathtaking.
Lets get to the game. As was the style at the time, this was and still is an action platformer. You’re given the choice of two characters; Hayate and Kaede. While you might think it’s purely cosmetic as to how they play, pay a bit more attention to speed and strength. But hey, I picked Kaede regardless. But if you did and struggle with her, switch to Hayate. You’ll be using two weapons as main weapons, your katana, and a Kusarigama, the bladed chain, for short and long range respectively. The chain may seem a bit silly as the katana does just fine in most instances, but try using it to attack enemies at an angle, or stationary enemies that can harm you at closer distances.
You also can pick up other weapons, or gears. Bombs, clubs, kunai. Sure. How about caltrops (Makabishi) or even a shotgun or gattling gun! The canonballs can be excellent for certain bosses too. There’s good weapons and bad weapons, but its almost always “situational” weapons that I prefer to use. Because while those caltrops can be worthless with moving enemies, the ones who don’t move take the most damage from these little spikes.
You have six stages, each with their own substages and a boss. Lives may be limited, but continues are endless. Remember, you can always go back. It can and will mess up your score and currency, but that’s only as important as you want it to be. If you want to and need to though, consider this as training. Remember the patterns, which weapons work best, when to heal. Perfect the stages. An old school way to play a game, sure. But that’s all just if you want to. There is absolutely no right or wrong way to play a game.
That all said. This *is* a challenging game, forgiving yes. But challenging nonetheless. You’re gonna die, you’re gonna get your ass kicked. You will be humbled. But the game is always there to extend it’s hand to you, pulling you up for another round. A player at first may not have faith in their ability to beat the game or even a level or boss, but Shadow of the Ninja Reborn does. You can do this! While that score can be used for the online leaderboard, it also does give you currency to choose your gear loadout, which can be that make or break decision.
Did I mention this game has co-op? Makes it all more of a better experience. Lets just hope both of you know what you’re doing and help rather than hinder.
You know how I said this was a chance for some old Natsume devs to try again? While the NES sprites were good, they’re not going to be to everyone’s speed in the year 2024 (unfortunately). Shunichi Taniguchi the original sprite artist has once again shown the world that he’s a master of a sadly dying craft. Sprite artists of his caliber are only getting smaller in number, so seeing his work is especially valuable. And good lord does he knock it out of the part again. Not even the art itself, but the animation.
Composers Iku Mizutani (the original NES game) and Hiroyuki Iwatsuki (the Gameboy game (known as Ninja Gaiden Shadow in the west)) return as well to once to display how good these folk are at what they do. That first level theme is an ear worm, I tell ya.
Final Thoughts
I’ll say it once, I’ll say it again. Grab this game and anything that this team releases. Let the world know we need a Shatterhand remake. Please give me a Shatterhand review. I often find myself always falling back to retro games, but games like this are those few modern titles I gravitate towards. You’ll catch me buying that physical release.
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