I hate to do it, but I've just got to ask: Am I the only one on this site that has actually played Ninja Gaiden 3? I mean, I know it's not Mass Effect 3 and thus has no perceived discussion value, but I honestly figured I would have at least seen a thread or two on it by this point. Or maybe, you know, an actual review by the site staff. *shrug*
Unfortunately, I can't see the review being all that postitive. I absolutely love the series and rank it so far above all of the other combat heavy action series out there.. but NG3 just isn't very good. The combat feels looser and sloppier than it should. The difficulty is much less skill based than it used to be, though the basic "normal" difficulty is probably lower than it has been in the past. And for fans of all of the weapon variety in NG2 (or even NG1), it's no longer there. You get the dragon sword, or a reasonable facsimile, and you don't get anything else beyond your bow (which is necessary now, but very use specific) and your shuriken (which are now useless). The coolest combat, and action in general, is reserved for QTEs which is something that NG has never stooped to in the past.
Given all that, however, the weakest part of the game has to be just the overall design. Levels are totally linear and basically consist of hallways that connect arena type rooms where you fight waves of far too many similar enemies to be interesting. The enemies aren't particularly challenging in most cases, you just have to fight a ton of them to proceed even through the earliest of levels. There is pretty much none of the unscripted but very cool movement puzzles from the earlier games.. it's just hallway, arena, hallway, arena, etc. Even the bosses are generally lackluster with several making repeat appearances or feeling like copy/pastes.
I did find that there were a few things to like about the game even with all of it's failings. The story is enjoyable and the music is actually probably the best in the series since it's Xbox reboot. There's also a couple of online modes that aren't great but do add a little to the package.
So... anyone else actually play the game? What did you think of it? Any hope for the likely further games in the series or even Team Ninja in general now that Itagaki and his loyal crew have possibly demonstrated they've taken the talent with them?
Unfortunately, I can't see the review being all that postitive. I absolutely love the series and rank it so far above all of the other combat heavy action series out there.. but NG3 just isn't very good. The combat feels looser and sloppier than it should. The difficulty is much less skill based than it used to be, though the basic "normal" difficulty is probably lower than it has been in the past. And for fans of all of the weapon variety in NG2 (or even NG1), it's no longer there. You get the dragon sword, or a reasonable facsimile, and you don't get anything else beyond your bow (which is necessary now, but very use specific) and your shuriken (which are now useless). The coolest combat, and action in general, is reserved for QTEs which is something that NG has never stooped to in the past.
Given all that, however, the weakest part of the game has to be just the overall design. Levels are totally linear and basically consist of hallways that connect arena type rooms where you fight waves of far too many similar enemies to be interesting. The enemies aren't particularly challenging in most cases, you just have to fight a ton of them to proceed even through the earliest of levels. There is pretty much none of the unscripted but very cool movement puzzles from the earlier games.. it's just hallway, arena, hallway, arena, etc. Even the bosses are generally lackluster with several making repeat appearances or feeling like copy/pastes.
I did find that there were a few things to like about the game even with all of it's failings. The story is enjoyable and the music is actually probably the best in the series since it's Xbox reboot. There's also a couple of online modes that aren't great but do add a little to the package.
So... anyone else actually play the game? What did you think of it? Any hope for the likely further games in the series or even Team Ninja in general now that Itagaki and his loyal crew have possibly demonstrated they've taken the talent with them?
