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MARK OF THE NINJA (X360)
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Publisher: Microsoft Studios.
Developer: Klei Entertainment. Released: September 2012. Genre: 2D Stealth Adventure. Other versions: PC. Posted 19th January 2013. By Shane Battams © 2013 |
To many, stealth and ninjas go together like a hotdog and a bun. Not only are ninjas depicted in the movies using the shadows to sneak or stab their way around, but one of the pioneering stealth games, Tenchu: Stealth Assassins from 1998, was front by them. Sadly, that series has mostly lost its way since, especially with the diabolical Tenchu Z, and lately ninjas have ended up in slasher games like Ninja Gaiden. Now Klei Entertainment, developers of the Shank series, is bringing gamers a 2D stealth game with the men in robes. Featuring stylised visuals and multiple ways to kill, Mark of the Ninja pulls off an amazing feat: by looking back to the past, it creates a fresh and engaging experience which anyone with an itch for stealth will love.
The story of MoTN is simplistic, but it keeps the game at a speedy pace. You take the role of an unnamed ninja who is plastered in tattoos which come from a special flower. He has been summoned to help defend a clan, in an age where the traditional ninjas clash with modern military technology, but must commit seppuku once his deed is done as madness begins to consume the tattoo bearer. Told mostly through cut-scenes bookending each mission, there’s a lot of interesting concepts which are mostly left for the reader to decipher, meaning it doesn’t impede the gameplay too much. The ending is probably the most provocative part with a weighty decision that isn’t easy to make.
The story of MoTN is simplistic, but it keeps the game at a speedy pace. You take the role of an unnamed ninja who is plastered in tattoos which come from a special flower. He has been summoned to help defend a clan, in an age where the traditional ninjas clash with modern military technology, but must commit seppuku once his deed is done as madness begins to consume the tattoo bearer. Told mostly through cut-scenes bookending each mission, there’s a lot of interesting concepts which are mostly left for the reader to decipher, meaning it doesn’t impede the gameplay too much. The ending is probably the most provocative part with a weighty decision that isn’t easy to make.
Stick to the shadows: darkness is your best friend in Mark of the Ninja
Mark of the Ninja is a 2D stealth game taking place over 12 levels. Though the path to the end is direct, the level design is multi-layered, with different routes opening up your tactics. Non-lethal routes allow you to avoid enemy contact almost completely, but the challenge comes from pitfalls such as hazards and traps. Even enemy-filled areas will have vents meaning you can avoid killing if you so choose. The beauty is that the game doesn’t penalise you for killing or remaining a pacifist, instead rewarding you ample points for success, either way you choose to go. You aren’t punished for detection, but fighting head-on usually results in death as the hand-to-hand moves are pretty weak. But a very relaxed checkpoint system reduces the frustration.
The key to remaining hidden in MoTN is using darkness. Dark spaces conceal the ninja completely, shown through a colour change from blue to black. You can also conceal yourself in vents, behind objects and in doors. The challenge comes from constant variables thrown in. New enemy types are introduced, such as dogs which can sniff you out even in darkness, and other hurdles come into play such as lightning whereby each flash can reveal your position. These constant challenges really make for a satisfying experience. You begin to unlock items which even the odds as these new challenges come into play. You gain two kinds of items; distraction and attack. Each can be upgraded further for more potent effects, such as a dart which can be upgraded from panicking guards to killing them after a certain amount of time. Experimenting with these new items – which can be done on any level – is incredibly good fun. Couple that with smooth controls and satisfying stealth kills, and you have a game that is just an absolute joy to play.
The key to remaining hidden in MoTN is using darkness. Dark spaces conceal the ninja completely, shown through a colour change from blue to black. You can also conceal yourself in vents, behind objects and in doors. The challenge comes from constant variables thrown in. New enemy types are introduced, such as dogs which can sniff you out even in darkness, and other hurdles come into play such as lightning whereby each flash can reveal your position. These constant challenges really make for a satisfying experience. You begin to unlock items which even the odds as these new challenges come into play. You gain two kinds of items; distraction and attack. Each can be upgraded further for more potent effects, such as a dart which can be upgraded from panicking guards to killing them after a certain amount of time. Experimenting with these new items – which can be done on any level – is incredibly good fun. Couple that with smooth controls and satisfying stealth kills, and you have a game that is just an absolute joy to play.
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You’ll probably finish the story in about seven hours. That doesn’t sound like much, but a heavy amount of replay value is instilled. Each level has 9 medals of honour to earn. Three come from collectible scrolls, one of which requires you to complete short but challenging platforming rooms. Another three come from earning a certain amount of points from kills, hiding bodies and end-level challenges like completing a level without detection. The final three are rewarded for completing level specific challenges, usually catering towards one of four styles. Some require you to reach locations without detection, while others task you with intimidating guards in a certain way. Honour badges give you points for buying upgrades, so the incentive to earn as many as possible is high. There’s also a New Game + which carries over upgrades but increases the challenge with more intelligent foes, a limited sight range and no way to monitor the sound you make.
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Laser beams must be dealt with with swift platforming and a bit of clever thinking
Visually, MotN is fantastic, with a strong art style reminiscent of a Saturday morning cartoon - albeit with more violence and gore! The cut-scenes are gorgeous, and in-game looks equally stellar. Characters are rendered with great colours and animation, while the lighting gives everything a brooding look. Stealth kills look great; though it’s a shame there isn’t a bigger variety of them. The sound is strong, with good voice work moving the story along. The music stands out, perfectly adding tension to each scenario with both less prominent tunes and more potent music. A Metal Gear-esque noise pops in with detection, which gives a nice shot of nostalgia and tension.
Mark of the Ninja is one of the strongest titles Xbox Arcade has to offer, and is one of the best games to be released in 2012. Though some may frown at the idea of a 2D stealth game, Klei Entertainment have done such a fine job. It controls perfectly and the ever-changing obstacles combined with the finely tuned mechanics make the art of killing – or if you so choose, sneaking by – immensely satisfying. Each level comes with a high level of replayability, thanks to fun challenges and incentive to nail the perfect run. Combine that with excellent visuals and great sound, and you have one of the best stealth games in years. Anyone who has a remote interest in the genre would be a fool to miss out on this brilliant experience.
Mark of the Ninja is one of the strongest titles Xbox Arcade has to offer, and is one of the best games to be released in 2012. Though some may frown at the idea of a 2D stealth game, Klei Entertainment have done such a fine job. It controls perfectly and the ever-changing obstacles combined with the finely tuned mechanics make the art of killing – or if you so choose, sneaking by – immensely satisfying. Each level comes with a high level of replayability, thanks to fun challenges and incentive to nail the perfect run. Combine that with excellent visuals and great sound, and you have one of the best stealth games in years. Anyone who has a remote interest in the genre would be a fool to miss out on this brilliant experience.
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VERDICT
Visual: 10/10
Audio: 9/10 Gameplay: 10/10 Longevity: 9/10 OVERALL: 10/10 |
PIXEL SECONDS: MARK OF THE NINJA (PC)
Ninja’s are pretty cool, but if there’s one thing cooler than Ninja’s at the moment it’s the independent gaming market. Mark of the Ninja is just another in a recent series of titles that harks back to the sensibilities of older games and replicates that feel for the essential components of memorable titles. Namely, gameplay and fun! Rather than follow modern stealth titles MotN’s 2D platforming is reminiscent of Impossible Mission, The Saboteur and D-Generation (okay, technically that last one is not a platformer) but with a masterful style that makes it fresh and invigorating. The graphical design where the cut-scene comic-book framings are mimicked by the in-game visuals is marvellous. There’s plenty of substance as well to match the good looks. Level design is fantastic and sets a real challenge for the burgeoning assassin within every gamer. Thinking is required, as is taking your time. Dashing in without a clear strategy is a one-way ticket to arse-kicking-ville, but with hanging platforms, tight air ducts and ninja tools at hand, there’s a variety of ways to progress through each stage. No one trick pony here. Either sneak through by extinguishing light sources and distracting enemies whilst keeping to the shadows, or silently slice and dice the bad-guys when the opportunity arises. There’s nothing quite as fun as dispatching an enemy when they have no inkling of your presence; even better, throw the body of one of your victims at another clueless guard and watch them shit their pants. Fun, fun, fun! New Game +, online leaderboards, the challenge of surviving through a level without killing anyone or being noticed, and the puzzling design of each stage throughout means MotN is a bit of a keeper, but stonkingly brilliant gameplay is the true master. Bow down young padawans and prepare to be almightily impressed. A timely reminder that 2D platforming will never get old… [9] - Alan Passingham © 2013
Ninja’s are pretty cool, but if there’s one thing cooler than Ninja’s at the moment it’s the independent gaming market. Mark of the Ninja is just another in a recent series of titles that harks back to the sensibilities of older games and replicates that feel for the essential components of memorable titles. Namely, gameplay and fun! Rather than follow modern stealth titles MotN’s 2D platforming is reminiscent of Impossible Mission, The Saboteur and D-Generation (okay, technically that last one is not a platformer) but with a masterful style that makes it fresh and invigorating. The graphical design where the cut-scene comic-book framings are mimicked by the in-game visuals is marvellous. There’s plenty of substance as well to match the good looks. Level design is fantastic and sets a real challenge for the burgeoning assassin within every gamer. Thinking is required, as is taking your time. Dashing in without a clear strategy is a one-way ticket to arse-kicking-ville, but with hanging platforms, tight air ducts and ninja tools at hand, there’s a variety of ways to progress through each stage. No one trick pony here. Either sneak through by extinguishing light sources and distracting enemies whilst keeping to the shadows, or silently slice and dice the bad-guys when the opportunity arises. There’s nothing quite as fun as dispatching an enemy when they have no inkling of your presence; even better, throw the body of one of your victims at another clueless guard and watch them shit their pants. Fun, fun, fun! New Game +, online leaderboards, the challenge of surviving through a level without killing anyone or being noticed, and the puzzling design of each stage throughout means MotN is a bit of a keeper, but stonkingly brilliant gameplay is the true master. Bow down young padawans and prepare to be almightily impressed. A timely reminder that 2D platforming will never get old… [9] - Alan Passingham © 2013