Ninja Blade

Ninja Blade
PAL territories cover art
Developer(s)	From Software
Publisher(s)	JP From Software NA Microsoft Game Studios CIS ND Games
Producer(s)	Masanori Takeuchi
Designer(s)	Kazuhiro Hamatani (lead planner) Keiji Nakaoka (character designer)
Composer(s)	Norihiko Hibino Yoshitaka Suzuki Takahiro Izutani Takahide Ayuzawa
Engine	Havok (game physics)
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows Xbox 360
Release date(s)	Xbox 360 JP January 29, 2009 EU April 3, 2009 NA April 7, 2009 Microsoft Windows NA October 31, 2009 EU February 19, 2010
Genre(s)	Action-adventure
Mode(s)	Single-player
Rating(s)	CERO: D ESRB: M PEGI: 16
Media/distribution	Optical disc
System requirements [1] Intel CPU- Pentium 4 2.2GHz AMD CPU - Sempron 3300+ RAM - 1GB Nvidia Graphics Card - Geforce 8300 GS ATI Graphics Card - Radeon 9250

Ninja Blade (ニンジャブレイド, Ninjabureido^?) is a video game developed and published by From Software for Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360^[2]. The game has been categorized as a "cinematic action game," combining a mixture of hack and slash elements with context-sensitive commands.^[2]

The characters were designed by Keiji Nakaoka while the soundtrack is by Norihiko Hibino's GEM Impact studio.^[3] The animation was produced by Production I.G,^[4] and the game was released in 2009.^[5]

Gameplay

The player plays as a modern-day ninja, using a katana, twin swords and broad sword as the main weapon to the hostile creatures. Combat system is similar to Ninja Gaiden or Devil May Cry. A chi bar is used up when "ninja vision" or ninjutsu is used. The gameplay is highly cinematic, relying on quick time events to finish missions; after attacking a boss until the health bar is empty, the player must perform a finishing move.

Story

In 2015, a small village was attacked by unknown creatures and the survivors were moved to a research facility where they underwent examination. While at the research facility, the survivors began to show symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis it was found out they are infected by a strange type of hookworm parasite, which was classified as "Alpha-worm". Conventional medicine had no effects on the patients and the worms deformed the victims, but the infection increased the strength and resilience of the people infected. The infected eventually broke free and attacked the researchers and, due to a fear of an outbreak, the military assaulted the facility and destroyed all traces of the infected. To prevent panic, governments of the world kept the Alpha-worms secret. Eventually, after a massive outbreak of Alpha-worm infestation takes over the city of Tokyo, an elite ninja force including the young Ken Ogawa, and led by his father Kanbe, is sent to deal with the situation.

Development

The concept for Ninja Blade initially came when From Software thrived to create a game that conveyed to the gamer the same intense sequences from those of Hollywood action films. From Software worked with Microsoft in creating the game's protagonist, Ken Ogawa. Ninja Blade producer Masanori Takeuchi states: "We worked closely with Microsoft in creating Ken. They provided us with lots of useful feedback and insightful consumer research of worldwide gamers. By cooperating and working together, Ken has become more appealing to a wider audience."^[6] Character Ken Ogawa was designed by Capcom 2nd Character Development Studio designer Keiji Nakaoka.^[7][8]

Ninja Blade was commonly referred to as Otogi 3 by various sources before its official announcement. Ninja Blade planner Kazuhiro Hamatani noted that while not a direct sequel or spiritual successor to Otogi, that the game would contain action-adventure elements of which fans of the Otogi series would like.^[9]

A demo for Ninja Blade was released in Japan on December 29, 2008.^[10] The demo was released in North America on March 10, 2009.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
Aggregator	Score
GameRankings	66%[11]
Metacritic	66/100[12]
Review scores
Publication	Score
1UP.com	C-[13]
Eurogamer	7/10[14]
Famitsu	32/40[15]
GamePro	[16]
GameSpot	7.5/10[17]
GameTrailers	5.9/10[18]
GameZone	6/10[19]
IGN	6.5/10[20]
X-Play	4/5[21]

Overall, the game has received mixed to positive reviews with an aggregate score of 66/100 on Metacritic.

Ninja Blade was named Game of the Month in the June 2009 issue of GamePro, with a rating of 5/5 stars.^[16] In GamePro's The Best of 2009 awards, it was one of the five titles nominated for Best Game No One Played.^[22]

References

1. ^ "Ninja Blade Recommended System Requirements". Game-Debate. http://www.game-debate.com/games/index.php?g_id=855&game=Ninja%20Blade. Retrieved 2010-01-16. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Ninja Blade: Brief Real-Time Impressions". 1UP.com. http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3169712. Retrieved 2008-10-09. 
3. ^ "Original Sound Version: Ninja Blade Soundtrack Preview". OSV. http://www.originalsoundversion.com/?p=278. Retrieved 2008-10-09. 
4. ^ "Official Ninja Blade Website". From Software. http://www.ninja-blade.com/. Retrieved 2008-10-09. 
5. ^ "Xbox.com Ninja Blade". Xbox.com. http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/n/ninjablade/. Retrieved 2008-10-09. ^{[dead link]}
6. ^ "Interview with Executive Producer Masanori Takeuchi". Xbox.com. http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/n/ninjablade/20090403-interview.htm. Retrieved 2009-04-24. ^{[dead link]}
7. ^ "1UP NETWORK PREVIEWS: Ninja Blade". 1UP. http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3173349. Retrieved 2009-04-24. 
8. ^ Ninja Blade: Creating Ken Ogawa - Xbox 360 Feature at IGN
9. ^ "Sorry but Ninja Blade is not Otogi 3". Kotaku. http://kotaku.com/5060388/sorry-but-ninja-blade-is-not-otogi-3. Retrieved 2009-04-24. 
10. ^ "Ninja Blade Demo Hits Xbox Live Marketplace in Japan". teamxbox.com. http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/18468/Ninja-Blade-Demo-Hits-Xbox-Live-Marketplace-in-Japan/. Retrieved 2009-01-08. 
11. ^ "Ninja Blade for Xbox 360". GameRankings. 2009-04-07. http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/952858-ninja-blade/index.html. Retrieved 2011-03-12. 
12. ^ "Ninja Blade for Xbox 360 Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic". Metacritic.com. 2009-04-07. http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbox360/ninjablade. Retrieved 2011-03-12. 
13. ^ "Ninja Blade Review for 360, Game from". 1UP.com. 2009-03-15. http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3173604&p=4. Retrieved 2011-03-12. 
14. ^ Kieron Gillen (2009-03-24). "Ninja Blade Xbox 360 Review - Page 1". Eurogamer.net. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/ninja-blade-review. Retrieved 2011-03-12. 
15. ^ "Famitsu Hates Crystal Chronicles". Gemaga. http://www.gemaga.com/2009/01/21/famitsu-hates-crystal-chronicles. Retrieved 2009-04-24. 
16. ^ ^{a b} Bartron, Heather (06 2009). "Ninja Blade". GamePro (GamePro Media) 21 (6): 78–79. ISSN 1042-8658. OCLC 19231826. http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/209623/ninja-blade/. Retrieved 2009-06-14. 
17. ^ By Kevin VanOrd, GameSpotPosted Apr 7, 2009 3:54 pm PT (2009-04-07). "Ninja Blade Review for Xbox 360". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/ninjablade/review.html. Retrieved 2011-03-12. 
18. ^ "Ninja Blade: Reviews, Trailers, and Interviews". Gametrailers.com. http://www.gametrailers.com/gamereview.php?id=10208. Retrieved 2011-03-12. 
19. ^ "Ninja Blade - 360 - Review | GameZone.com". Xbox360.gamezone.com. http://xbox360.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r36446.htm. Retrieved 2011-03-12. 
20. ^ var authorId = "48841511" by Erik Brudvig (2009-04-06). "Ninja Blade Review - Xbox 360 Review at IGN". Xbox360.ign.com. http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/969/969898p1.html. Retrieved 2011-03-12. 
21. ^ Sessler, Adam; G4 TV. "NinjaBlade Review". G4 TV. p. 1. http://g4tv.com/xplay/reviews/1964/Ninja-Blade-Review.html. Retrieved 2009-04-24. 
22. ^ Best Game No One Played - GameSpot's Best Games of 2009

External links

• Official website