Nightshade (2004 video game)

Infobox VG
title = Nightshade


developer = Wow Entertainment
publisher = Sega
designer =
engine =
released = vgrelease|Japan|JPN|December 4, 2003 [ [http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/data/914718.html Release dates] . GameFAQs. Retrieved on February 4, 2008.]
vgrelease|North America|NA|February 10, 2004
vgrelease|PAL Region|PAL|March 5, 2004
genre = Action
modes = Single player
ratings = ESRB: Mature (17+)
PEGI: 12+
CERO: 15
platforms = PlayStation 2
media = 1 DVD
requirements =
input =

"Nightshade" is a video game for PlayStation 2, developed by Wow Entertainment and published by Sega in 2004. It is the 11th game in the Shinobi series and follows the exploits of a female ninja named Hibana. In Japan, "Nightshade" is known as "Kunoichi", which roughly translates as "female ninja". The game is a direct sequel to the 2002 PlayStation 2 game "Shinobi", and is not related to either "Nightshade" on the NES, or "Nightshade" on the ZX Spectrum.

Plot

In "Nightshade", the player plays as "Hibana", a female counterpart to Shinobi's Hotsuma. She is a government-employed ninja tasked with the elimination of members of the "Nakatomi Corporation", which has unwittingly unleashed hellspawn upon futuristic Tokyo. She is also ordered to recover the shards of "Akujiki", the legendary cursed sword that Hotsuma used to seal the hellspawn the last time. ref|plot

Gameplay

"Nightshade" is structured similar to "Shinobi", its previous iteration. Its missions are linear by design, and each one culminates in a battle against a challenging boss opponent. The core of "Nightshade"'s gameplay is centered on the hack and slash genre, with accumulating combos on spawning enemies about the level. Using Hibana's arsenal of a long Katana (the primary weapon), short daggers (achieve less damage, but score a higher combo multiplier), Shuriken (long range projectiles), and various Ninjutsu spells, the game challenges the player to achieve as high a score as possible while eliminating the opposing threat.ref|Gameplay

"Nightshade" also includes aspects of platforming. With Hibana's ability to dash in mid-air, the game requires the player to use this ability to bypass holes and hazards. Game mechanics restrict Hibana to only a double-jump and an air-dash before she falls, requiring the player to strike enemies in mid-flight to stay in the air. By doing this, the player combines accuracy and timing to stay in the air continuously, or fall to their death. Many game reviews have criticized this ref|Gameplay, due to its likelihood to occur on a common basis.

Characters

*Hibana
*Jimushi
*Kazaguruma "Shinobi of Wind"
*Onibi "Shinobi of Fire"
*Hisui "Shinobi of Water"
*Kurohagane

Soundtrack

The "Nightshade" Soundtrack is based upon the Japanese techno of the previous iteration, "Shinobi". All tracks were produced by Fumie Kumatani, Tomonori Sawada and Keiichi. Unlike the official soundtrack for "Shinobi", "Nightshade" did not gain a release.

ee also

*"Nightshade" (1985 video game)
*"Nightshade" (1991 video game)

References

# cite web
author = Douglass C. Perry
url = http://ps2.ign.com/articles/490/490542p1.html
title = Nightshade game review at IGN
publisher = IGN
year = 2004
# cite web
author = kyoji
url = http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/game/914718.html
title = Nightshade walkthrough
publisher = GameFAQs
year = 2004
# cite web
author = spins
url = http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/game/914718.html
title = Nightshade walkthrough
publisher = GameFAQs
year = 2004