Shinobi
- February 11, 2004 15:48 PM PST
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Take a look at how Overworks' ninja game looks so far.
Legacy of RevengeShinobi started life in 1987 in the arcades, but the action-oriented series truly came of age on Sega?s 16-bit Genesis. Some still regard the Genesis?s Shinobi III as the pinnacle of video ninjitsu. The team behind these classics, Overworks, is back in the saddle for the new PlayStation 2 incarnation, and it?s finding a healthy challenge in balancing the past with the present. ?Now that it?s 3D instead of 2D, the game?s turned into something completely different from before,? reveals Takashi Uriu, one of the game?s lead designers. ?We have a lot of people in Overworks who worked on the series since its inception, so they?ve been able to give us a lot of valuable advice on the game. Besides, we?re all fans of the series ourselves, so we want to make a game that?s worthy of being called ?the latest Shinobi game.?? Uriu promises that series hallmarks like eight-way shuriken attacks and double jumps will return, but the team also wants to build ?some new surprises? into Shinobi. ?The graphics and gameplay have changed a lot in the switch to 3D, but a lot of people have said to us, ?It?s weird, but this just feels like a Shinobi game.'?
Real Ultimate Power
The new lead character, Hotsuma, will sport a futuristic body suit, carry his supply of shurikens on his arms (which double as spiked gauntlets), and wear a billowing red scarf that seems to have a life of its own. ?We included the almost-too-long red scarf because we wanted this new dark hero to cut a good silhouette for his debut,? reveals Uriu, ?and also because we thought it?d be the best item to help express the dynamism behind his quick, ninja-like moves.?
The addition of 3D gameplay has mandated more changes than mere cosmetics. For instance, Hotsuma?s shurikens will hit the intended target as long as he?s facing the general direction of his opponent, but the pointy projectiles will be limited in both supply and strength, so the emphasis will be more on making use of his deadly sword. To that end, you?ll be able to lock on to a single target using one of the shoulder buttons or just slice into a crowd if need be. Ninjas are known for their ability to confuse their prey through speed and stealth, and Shinobi will be no exception. Dashing will cause a ghost-like after image that enemies will unwittingly attack, leaving them vulnerable. Also, in addition to magical attacks like fire and lightning, gamers will need to master a new skill: running on the walls that will sometimes crumble beneath your feet. ?Wall running will be absolutely vital to finishing the game,? says Uriu. ?I doubt you?ll be able to get to the end without mastering this skill because a lot of areas simply don?t have any floors at all.?
A Difficult Path
Shinobi is beloved by gaming veterans in part for its level of difficulty and resulting sense of accomplishment. Uriu says the new version will have four levels of difficulty, but serious skills will be required nonetheless. ?Shinobi has always had this reputation for being very challenging, and to be honest, I think most action games are way too easy nowadays,? he says. ?I?d like to revive some of the challenge the genre used to have. We?re planning different playable characters, new game modes, and other bonuses that?ll make you want to play again and again after finishing the game, so be patient!?
The mention of different playable characters brings up interesting questions: What happened to the original Shinobi, Joe Musashi, and who exactly is this Hotsuma guy? Uriu remains cryptic. ?There?ll be a very long, kind of tragic story included in the game,? he hints. ?We?re trying to avoid the typical 'seek this secret item, then take it over to this guy? kind of story. You'll see much more complex, interpersonal relationships here.?
Ninja Please!
Indeed, it?s clear that Overworks won?t be satisfied with recycling a classic character. Uriu sounds determined to impress gamers with a game that he hopes will live up to the legacy of the Shinobi series when it ships this November. ?Shinobi is more than just a fusion of old and new,? he says. ?Our objective was to strike a new balance between light and darkness?yin and yang?during the game?s development. The old Shinobi staff is teaming up with a lot of new people with their own take on the genre to create a 100 percent purebred Shinobi game. The combination of high-speed battle and exciting athletic action will be like nothing you?ve played before. After 12 years of waiting, the true hero has finally returned.
