Blog

Technology news and Jobs

Radioactive IT

Review: Ninja Reflex

by Mike Bantick

Friday, 25 April 2008

Page 2 of 2

The Six mini-game categories are:

Shuriken: Whilst avoiding Geisha targets, lock onto enemy Ninja targets (moving like a pistol firing range) then flick a shuriken its way. This is the most exciting multiplayer game.

Hashi: Catch flies with your chopsticks (‘A’ + ‘B’ buttons) plonk them in the bowl, unfortunately no game involving targeting the fly genitalia as you rise through the ranks

Koi: With smooth moves and patience, snatch fish from the pond for points.

Katana: The mini-game that should have been the most memorable. React to the Oni’s (demon) attack, and then counter attack. Sword movement is unresponsive making the only plan to swish mindlessly in the air, and actually succeeding in doing so.

Hoturu: Pure reaction to the appearance of fireflies on screen, whilst Sensei performs distracting yoga upon a nearby rock. Has some multiplayer interest also, believe it or not.

Nunchaku: Despite the name, does not use the nunchuck attachment for the Wii-mote! Wave your Wii-mote in figure eights and then strike the objects thrown by Sensei. This is the most difficult game in the series as it is difficult to judge the distance away differing sized objects are. But with practice becomes easier, as one would expect.

Graphically, Ninja Reflex is on par with the best the Wii has to offer, each tranquil setting is nicely rendered with fire effects being well done. The Shuriken range however is truly last gen in its visual impact, and there is little variety once all mini-game arenas have been explored.
As the game progresses, each successful ‘belt test’ will unlock further mini-games within each category (oh and expanded choices of Ninja Names), but essentially the games differ only slightly from their predecessors.

The differ enough however to make each ‘random’ test chosen by Sensei during ‘belt tests’ to make the initial parts of these tests an annoying guess work period as you endeavour to work out which of the mini-games you are supposed to be playing at the time.

There is four player multiplayer, mostly consisting of the turn-based mechanic and an option to explore the wonderful world of Meditation, either guided by the voice of Sensei, or a length of ‘quiet time’ chosen by the player.

Nunchuck games have missed an opportunity here; they have tried and failed to inject some variety into the mini-game genre. Don’t commit Hari-Kari just yet, keep the ideas coming guys, but back to the drawing board with this one.

3 ceiling sticking Ninja’s out of 10

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to post your comment!