"Ninja Blade"
This game immediately looks like a Ninja Gaiden rip off, but whatever. I doubt the game will be able to come even close to how good the action is in Ninja Gaiden. It even has a similar style to Ninja Gaiden. I also found it funny how the name of Ninja Gaidens character is Ryu, while the name of Ninja Blades character is Ken. Obvious rivalry? IGN released an interview they had with them, and a teaser of the game. Video can be found here.
Interview Below:
IGN: There's a certain other high profile ninja game on Xbox 360 that just released. What aspects of "Ninja Blade" will make it stand out?
Masanori Takeuchi: Ninja Blade features fast-paced action and an interactive cinematic experience. Unlike most games that bounce between slow-moving cut scenes and twitchy gameplay, Ninja Blade offers a seamless action-movie experience that keeps you in control.
IGN: About how many hours do you anticipate most gamers will take to complete Ninja Blade?
Takeuchi: It will take around 12 or more hours to fully experience the game.
IGN: Can you tell us more about the Ninja Vision gameplay mechanic? How much extra exploration of the environment will it enable?
Takeuchi: Ninja Vision is a powerful technique that reveals hidden information, like enemy weak spots or navigation clues. Of course, such great power comes with a price. You'll need to be careful to calculate when and how to use it best.
IGN: The fact sheet mentions "Todomé" and "Ninjutsu" as special powers available to Ken. Will he have more than these at his disposal?
Takeuchi: Ken, the player character, is a ninja in the making who does not yet possess all the possible ninja skills. Right now all additional skills are top secret.
IGN: How does the weapon acquisition and upgrade system work? Is there a store of sorts in the game that players will be able to go to buy new equipment?
Takeuchi: Ken doesn't need to go to a store to upgrade his weapons. Instead, he uses "crystals" taken from defeated enemies. These crystals are a concentrated form of life energy. Weapons can be upgraded by injecting this energy into the weapon of your choice.
IGN: What sorts of enemies can we expect to encounter in Ninja Blade?
Takeuchi: The enemies in Ninja Blade were once common, everyday people and animals who have been transformed by a parasite into powerful monsters. They are bloodthirsty and, like zombies, they spread their infection by attacking others.
IGN: From Software is no stranger to Xbox Live. Are there any online features being planned for Ninja Blade?
Takeuchi: We will reveal more on Xbox Live features soon.
IGN: Ninja Blade bases all of the game maps on actual skyscrapers and building tops in Tokyo. Which districts should we expect to visit and are there any landmarks in the game that we will recognize?
Takeuchi: The primary districts are Shinjuku and the Tokyo Tower area. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, the Shinjuku Station, and skyscrapers such as the Park Hyatt Hotel will also be featured.
IGN: Can we expect to see a Ninja Blade demo up on Xbox Live before the game releases next spring?
Takeuchi: We're definitely considering it. We will make an announcement as soon as we know the specific date. You will be able to get your hands on the first reveal of the game in October at the Tokyo Game Show though. It might be a bit out of the way, but if you get a chance, be sure to try it out!
