Since this just got a release date at the last of July, I summon a topic to channel some forthcoming lightning. Yes, I switched the official title up to not get in the way of the venerate side-scroller scrolls superiority.
I watched a little of what I suppose is the tutorial level, confirming both the exulted arts of Iaido and hissatsu. Together with the new air bounce tech, and unfathomable pits of platform gold this looks very appealing.
No found of any confirmed retail news just yet, though very probable with all the hype retro flavour.
When it keeps its foot pressed to the floor, it's joyous.
The new Sonic-style mid-air spin is very silly, but allows you that bit much more maneuverability in the air.
And executing frame perfect perfect slashes and wall jumps just feels spot-on.
Demo does a good job of shuttling you between the tutorial and first stage for basics, then a couple of later ones to demonstrate both projectile (kunai) usage and the demon portal time trial where you tag out to the kunoichi and she has to do a rapid fire platforming challenge with some mid-air teleports thrown in.
The little animation and clap sfx that plays when she completes it and releases Kenji from his spider demon prison to continue the level is just *chef's kiss*
Finishing the demo also unlocks one (1) hard modo stage, with some Saigo no Nindou-style enemy spawn numbers, which is pretty fun.
Although...
In both regular and hard mode, there are armoured enemies that require boosted slashes to kill, and there's always this agonising second between when you recognise what you're up against and when the power-up-carrying zako trundles onto screen to give you the correct attack.
It will probably shake out later with more enemies on screen; and the timing is probably there when you're going for a no-miss run, but initially it feels like a microstutter of "just let me kill this fucker already".
The "lock-in" areas also feel like they slam on the brakes a bit.
The combat is generally good, so these sections are not terrible, but I feel like the combat is good in concert with the platforming, so when it's bare on its own, it leaves me a little cold.
Also not a big fan of side-rooms/routes with collectibles squirreled away - feels like a silly modern concession.
I don't want to "explore" or "search action" in a Ninja Gaiden - I want to run through meticulously-placed gauntlets of enemies and walljumps.
But I'll concede that that's on me and I'm glad I can just ignore that shit and GO FAST.
Other nitpicks are the in-stage dialogue between Kenji and Kumori, or more typically, Kenji and the bosses, which is always about three lines of:
"GRAHAHA I AM STRONK!"
"I AIN'T AFRAID OF NO DENOMS!"
Again, just a pacing issue.
They at least fuck it off when you redo a boss fight.
I'm just being petty now - it's a blast when played at a proper clip, go grab the demo already.
Ah. Retail announced for September. Standard and knick-knack editions. The usual.
Hm. Digital first, or the double-dip? Dunno yet. Depends on the digital price and size to me.
'tude