Shinobi Legions

Infobox VG
title = Shinobi Legions


developer = Sega
publisher = Sega, Vic Tokai (America)
designer =
engine =
released = March 17, 1995
genre = Action
modes = Single player
ratings = ESRB: Kids to Adults (K-A), ELSPA: 3+
platforms = Sega Saturn
media = CD-Rom
requirements =
input = Control pad

"Shinobi Legions", known as "Shinobi X" in Europe and "Shin Shinobi Den" (新・忍伝) in Japan, is a videogame in the "Shinobi series". It was developed and published by Sega in 1995 for Sega Saturn. Although "Shinobi Legions" boasted improved graphics and superior sound, it was unfavourably received because of the limited use of the then new hardware's capabilities and its use of live-action cutscenes, though notable for its time, was much ridiculed.

toryline

Years of civil war have brought the ninjitsu code and its warriors to the brink of extinction. It is time to rebuild, and find the next generation of fighters who will learn the ninja traditions.

A ninjitsu master stands alone amidst the wreckage of years of warfare. In his searches, he has found three children who show promise: two brothers, Kazuma and Sho, and his own daughter Aya. He begins to train them.

Fifteen years pass. The oldest boy, Kazuma, begins to reject all the ninjitsu teachings, save one: the technique of strength. Obsessed with power, Kazuma demands that the master teach him the ultimate technique which would make his power absolute. The master refuses, and Kazuma vows to return one day and take revenge. Sho and Aya continue their studies and master the ninjitsu teachings.

Now, Kazuma has returned. He has made an army and acquired the resources to build a fortress. Although the old master has died, his pupils contain within them the secrets of the ultimate technique. Kazuma sets up a trap to lure Sho into his hideout, and kidnaps Aya to use her as a bait. The fate of the world now rests within Sho's hands.

Gameplay

"Shinobi Legions" is a traditional side-scrolling adventure game, which means that each level must be finished from left to right. Along the way Sho will come across various obstacles that will test the player's skill (foes, jumps, bosses,...). The gameplay itself is largely the same as that in "Shinobi 3". However this time emphasis lies on the use of Sho's katana instead of his shuriken, and separate buttons are now used to control them.

The four ninjitsu techniques from earlier Shinobi games have also disappeared. Instead, Sho gains his special abilities by picking up various items scattered across each level. Among them are simple power-ups (yellow and red orbs to restore his hit points) or temporary ninjitsu abilities, such as the Great Sword or the Bunshin clone shield (compare Ninjitsu of Ikazuchi) against enemy attacks.

Also found in each level are blue orbs called life spheres. Every time the player manages to collect 10, Sho gains one continue. As usual, some item crates contain bombs that will damage Sho if he's standing too near. The fuse runs out in 2 seconds.

tages

To finish the game, Sho must first go through 9 stages, each of which consists of several scenes with a boss battle at the end. Once a stage is finished, a small cinematic plays to advance the plot. The final battle is against Kazuma himself.

*Kyoto: The battle starts at the site of this ancient ruin, in a level reminiscent of Ibaraki Province in "The Revenge of Shinobi". The stage proceeds in a simple linear fashion as Sho makes his way across walls, bamboo forests and bridges. At the end he is confronted by a magical flying mask.
*Mount Fuji: A stage designed mostly to test the player's jumping technique, Mount Fuji has only one way to go and that's up. The player jumps from tree to tree while constantly under attack by enemy ninjas. At the top of this stage, Sho fights two boss battles.
*Kazuma's Laboratory: Kazuma's Laboratory recalls the infamous Body Weapon stage of "Shinobi 3". In this industrial complex Kazuma performs his illegal experiments on animals, guarded by a platoon of military personnel. A genetically engineered supercreature sleeps in the central chamber of this facility.
*Tunnel Trouble: Kazuma uses these tunnels to move materials from the outside world into his secret laboratory. Sho must make his way past spear and stone traps.
*Mine Ride: This stage is the heart of Kazuma's empire. Here minerals are mined and sent to fuel his army. The water below is contaminated, and the only way through is by using the mine carts. At the end of the stage is a dangerous elevator ride, but no boss guards this level.
*Jungle Heat: A level similar to Mount Fuji, Jungle Heat requires Sho to leap from vine to vine while dodging poisonous snakes and cannon fire.
*Hong Kong Harbour: This stage recalls the Breakwater scene from the New York level in "The Revenge of Shinobi". In this dangerous level, Sho must leap from boat to boat while fending off Kazuma's minions. One step wrong and he winds up in the water.
*Mountain Pass: Sho is at the foot of Kazuma's fortress. Eagles circle this steep canyon, while giants keep pounding on the rocky floors to rain down showers of boulders upon Sho. The exit is closely guarded by a relentless killing machine.
*Kazuma's Fortress: Sho arrives at Kazuma's fortress just in time. His brother has extracted the ultimate technique through artificial means and his power is growing. If Sho can't stop him now no-one will.

Trivia

* Due to a glitch in the game, "Shinobi Legions" could not be played with two controllers inserted in the Saturn console.
* The European version of "Shinobi Legions", published by Sega Europe and renamed as "Shinobi X", was delayed and released in 1996 due to the fact that Sega Europe's producer didn't like the music and wanted to change it, in a similar way that Sonic CD US release previously did. The whole in-game musics were replaced and re-written by noted British video game composer Richard Jacques, while the cutscenes musics were left intact. The European soundtrack is generally considered superior to the original Japanese soundtrack and closer in style to the traditional series, as Richard had the intention of resembling in style to Yuzo Koshiro previous compositions in the series. The American version, published in 1995 by Vic Tokai, had retained the music from the Japanese version.

External links

* [http://www.phm.lu/Shinobi/ShinShinobiDen/ Shinobi Legions at PHM's Shinobi site] - contains screenshots, storyline and all cut-scenes from the game.