X-Factor

The legendary Ninja Gaiden is coming to the Xbox, and it’s better than ever. It made a huge splash back in the 8-bit days, and over the years, it has conquered each new generation of game console as well as millions of fans the world over. The geniuses at Tecmo and Team Ninja (especially head honcho Tomanobu Itagaki) have put all of their considerable talent toward making the best third-person action-adventure video game yet—not just for the Xbox, but for any game system … ever.

Ryu literally shines.

The latest iteration of Ninja Gaiden is an Xbox exclusive for a lot of good reasons. But, to put it as bluntly as possible: From the individual particles of dirt and dust to the cracked stone texture of castle walls to the crystal-clear night sky above, every element of Ryu’s world squeezes a little extra out of the Xbox video game system’s powerful hardware. Outdoors, indoors, high in the air, or deep underground, Ryu’s quest for vengeance takes him to some of the most spectacularly rendered places you’ve ever seen. For example, one level takes place in a well-defended temple, complete with ethereal stained glass, a massive stone altar, and a library full of old books and rare artifacts under glass. Merely the light flickering from torches and real-time shadows cast on the dank stone walls are amazing graphical achievements. When you add a super-ninja and a gang of horrific fiends to the scene, the game’s beauty is almost overwhelming.

Each of these expansive levels is broad, incredibly detailed, and packed with dozens (even hundreds) of enemies. All of the characters you encounter have a stylized, almost anime feel to them, but they’re also strikingly realistic. Sweat beads on wrinkled brows, silky hair trembles in the breeze, and facial expressions effectively convey the emotions that drive this action-packed story of revenge. The monsters are a truly terrifying bunch, including white- and black-clad ninjas, hovering skeletal spine-demons, and knife-handed horrors, which have to hover because they have no feet. (Just wait until you see the hot pink monster lady with bat wings growing out of her head … ) They all move as naturally (or as unnaturally) as the real thing, attacking Ryu or blocking his attacks with magical energy sparkling around them and reflecting off their nasty, scaly skins. Even the violence has its own kind of beauty, as jets of deep red blood and rainbows of colorful demonic gore erupt from your conquered foes.

Textures to drool over.

The gameplay also takes the processing power of the Xbox to its peak of performance. Ryu can truly go in all three dimensions, dashing horizontally and vertically as the situation demands. There are only four action buttons to manage, but between them and the context-sensitive choices created by your position on the screen, you have a virtually endless list of moves, combos, and abilities. The same single-attack button will produce different effects, depending on where you are in relation to your enemy. For example, the strong attack that beheads a ninja will also slice a demon in two lengthwise if you execute it while in the air or on the wall above your foe. The excellent camera engine keeps you in the center of the action, and the pace of the battle never slows down, no matter how many demons are ganging up on you-or how much fire magic you use to roast them alive.

A well-oiled machine.

Ninja Gaiden will also feature a unique Xbox Live functionality, kept under such strict secrecy. (If we told you, we’d have to crush you with a war hammer.) Suffice to say that Ninja Gaiden for the Xbox has not only matched the innovation and excitement of the previous games in the series, it has also surpassed them. This highly anticipated title has raised the bar for what is possible in an action game and for what true hardcore gamers can expect from the best of the best.

By Scott McGough