PS2 Shinobi depresses me.

[Andi]

I enjoy the other games as a diversion, but I don't have too much love for Legions. I can forgive the crappy digitized graphics, but they pretty much threw away all the control improvements from Shinobi 3 and went back to the Revenge style, which makes no sense. Compare the double jump responsiveness in 3 and Legions and you'll know what I mean.

That's really my only complaint about Legions, the double jump can be a mother-fucking chore at times. Especially on the boat hopping level where you have to execute it flawlessly 6 or 7 times in a row over extreme distances - any failure meaning instant death.

[it290]

I hate that stage. I don't know why Joe didn't just use his jet surfboard on that level.

[Specineff]

Because that's not Joe Musashi.

[it290]

Isn't it? I only have the Japanese version, so I don't know what the hell is going on. But I guess you're right, because Joe would never be that lame.

[louisg]

Digitized graphics-- did someone say Street Fighter: The Movie?

But seriously, I think they're nice when they're done well (like the later 2d MK games where it looks like they really went in and cleaned them up). I'm still looking for Shinobi Legions =) III would've rocked if the levels were as good and engaging as the bosses.

[it290]

I thought the levels in Shinobi 3 were quite original and varied, but the game lacks challenge, even on the highest difficulty setting.. quite a change from its predecessors. I still have to clear it without using shurikens, though.

[LoneSage]

That's really my only complaint about Legions, the double jump can be a mother-fucking chore at times.

Played some ROS last night and quickly remembered why I put it down in the first place -- the ass-tastic double jumping. After taking 5 minutes to get past the first part in Level 2 that required a double jump, I got killed because of some cheap spot. Even in '89, the unresponsive controls would've pissed me off.

As it is and always will be, Shadow Dancer >*

[Obiwanshinobi]

Just finished the PS2 Shinobi on Normal. Final boss wasn't as hard to beat as I feared (i.e. he wasn't much of a difficulty spike). Most importantly, I've never felt really frustrated by this game, never hit the wall.
Easily the most respectable Sega offering I played since Blood Will Tell. Those games really feel like created in some alternate universe, as if they came to me from my dreams. I hope Sega won't come up with any 30 fps joke of a sequel.

[neorichieb1971]

My friend came round with GT5 the other day. As soon as I started playing it I felt a sinking depressing feeling. The droning engine sounds and monochrome 1080 graphics really did not work well for me.

So now I know what your talking about.

[Mortificator]

Just finished the PS2 Shinobi on Normal. Final boss wasn't as hard to beat as I feared (i.e. he wasn't much of a difficulty spike). Most importantly, I've never felt really frustrated by this game, never hit the wall.
Easily the most respectable Sega offering I played since Blood Will Tell. Those games really feel like created in some alternate universe, as if they came to me from my dreams. I hope Sega won't come up with any 30 fps joke of a sequel.

Unfortunately, they came up with Nightshade.

[Drum]

Shinobi Legions is awesome. Shinobi 3 is good but it cannot carry the weight of the ridiculous praise it gets - some of the stuff that's said about that game, sheesh. Gotta put some time into MD Shadow Dancer.

[Obiwanshinobi]

Unfortunately, they came up with Nightshade.

They fortunately did and it seems better than what I'm afraid this gen sequel would be.
By the way, is every version of Kunoichi devoid of splitting the enemies in half (à la the Japanese Shinobi reissue)? Not that I have a choice if I want to use my save from Shinobi at some point, but I just want to know.

[BIL]

Just finished the PS2 Shinobi on Normal. Final boss wasn't as hard to beat as I feared (i.e. he wasn't much of a difficulty spike). Most importantly, I've never felt really frustrated by this game, never hit the wall.

To be honest, I didn't notice a significant difficulty jump until Stage 8a/Hard. The lack of floors makes getting long chains harder, which makes the increased life drain more deadly. The same for Super, only it was a much nastier spike due to the even quicker life drain and tougher enemies. You pretty much can't survive without decent chaining at that point.

[JBC]

The Otogi series is the only real reason i own an X-Box. I'm starting to itch for news of a 360 sequel.

Well at least I get Dark Souls