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TGS07: Joystiq goes hands-on with Dragon Sword
As an Itagaki junkie (something we admit we are, as well), Joystiq's Ludwig Kietzmann could barely contain himself as he approached the booth seen above for Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword. At least, that's what we imagine given the fact that we are not there with him. Actually, we think about the little guy a lot. Maybe even too much. But, onto the game! As he played it, he found that the stylus-driven controls of the game worked surprisingly well (our greatest fear has dissolved into the ether). The ease-of-use comes with a price, however. Ryu's move list has been incredibly simplified, as his graceful and wide range of attacks found in his latest console offerings is without representation here. We're glad to report that he found nothing else of conflict with the title.
TGS hands-on: Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword
Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword makes for quite the unusual spun-off spokesperson for Team Ninja's flip-out-and-kill-people sim. It exuberantly gushes about frenetic action and superhuman agility, but when you aren't looking, it lounges about in the kitchen sipping herbal tea and playing Sudoku. It's simultaneously an excellent and poor example of what Ninja Gaiden stands for, a strange mixture brought about by placing a decidedly hard-edged experience on a system widely known for its casual lures. For the most part, it seems to work surprisingly well. Constructing a fast-paced action game entirely upon stylus strokes might lead you to think that victory hinges on furiously scratching your screen, but Dragon Sword's inputs are distinct and responsive enough to render battle a calm and intuitive affair. Well, as calm as you can be when being assailed by clawed freaks, disgruntled dragons and, in one instance, a steady stream of menacing boulders.
VC Friday: Nintendo chooses their horse
Hmm. In the age-old debate regarding pirates v. ninja, it seems Nintendo clearly prefers the latter. What possible other reason could they have for following up International Talk Like a Pirate Day with ninja games? The two must be linked! Now that we've had our daily conspiracy theory moment, let's get to the subject of what European gamers have a shot at this week, as the Hanabi Festival continues. Ninja Gaiden -- NES -- 600 Wii points Ninja JaJaMaru-kun -- NES -- 600 Wii points World Class Baseball -- Turbografx -- 600 Wii points
Flip what ya mama gave ya: Ninja Gaiden TGS trailer
This new Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword video from Tecmo is packed with over four-and-a-half minutes of boss fights, special attacks, and lots and lots of flipping. Flip over attacks! Flip up a flight of steps! Flip out of wells! Flip into wells! Sky's the limit! Or maybe not? Work that stylus as fast as you can and flip right into outer space!
Itagaki shows off Ninja Gaiden II aqua city level
Leaked screenshots are one thing, but to truly experience the power of a ninja you need to see him in action. Fortunately, GameTrailers has footage from Tomonobu Itagaki's live demo of Ninja Gaiden II at Microsoft's pre-Tokyo Game Show press conference. Itagaki says the "world's best action game" is "pretty far in development," as evidenced by the eight stages available on the demo's stage select screen (including one that intriguingly shows the Statue of Liberty). Only one level gets played in the live demo, though -- a Venice-style aqua city. Our favorite ninja is shown using a scythe-like sword, a pair of longswords and a set Wolverine-style claws against ninjas, military types and some green-blooded dragons. The action will be familiar to anyone who has played a modern Ninja Gaiden game, with plenty of bloody severed enemies and dramatic zooms for particularly vicious kills. Unfortunately, the demo ends just before a battle with the towering red-eyed spider-beast shown above. Here's hoping we'll get some hands on time with the game when the Tokyo Game Show starts this Thursday. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in.]
Dragon Sword scans show off boss fights, art
Well, we're assuming they're boss characters based on how large they are and the descriptions for fighting them. Still, as we've said before, anything we can get our grubby little hands on involving Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword will not only make our day, but make our week. Seriously, we can't wait to get our hands on this game! Head past the break for the scans. %Gallery-4937%
Watch video of Ninja Gaiden 2 teaser
Here at Joystiq's East Coast HQ, the sun has just started to crest the hills, bathing the clover in a soft golden light, while on the West Coast, the sun still hides below the horizon, allowing the California denizens a few more hours sleep. As we watch this picturesque scene we are plagued by one answerable question: ... Is it too early for ninjas? We don't, of course, wonder if it's too early if you yourself are a ninja, as we all know that you'll rise at any hour for killing. What we want to know is if it's too early for you to watch a video of Ryu Hayabusa after he just killed a bunch of people in Ninja Gaiden 2. Is pure ninja action like cheeseburgers? Delicious, but not necessarily at 8 a.m.? Or is it like bacon, a perfect addition to any meal? Regardless, we're putting this teaser up for your consumption now. If you get your faced rocked off by watching it too early, don't come crying to us.
Confirmed: Ninja Gaiden 2 exclusive to the 360
With leaked screenshots and a brutally dubious countdown clock making an appearance yesterday, how could we not have seen this announcement coming.This morning (afternoon in Japan), during Microsoft's pre-Tokyo Game Show press briefing, Team Ninja's own Tomonobu Itagaki took center stage to announce Ninja Gaiden 2 and that it will be headed to the Xbox 360 exclusively in 2008. Itagaki then proceeded to do an on stage demo, showing off the game's pretty dismemberment effects and began praising the 360 stating that it is "the best game console on the earth". And who are we to disagree? Congratulations fanboys, we're getting some bloody Ninja Gaiden 2 next year exclusively on our Xbox 360 ... get excited.[Via Joystiq]
Ninja Gaiden 2 to flip out and kill people on 360 in 2008
Fresh from our liveblog Microsoft TGS briefing, Tomonobu Itagaki has unveiled Ninja Gaiden 2 for the Xbox 360. The latest iteration of the title will cut off heads all the time and not even think twice about it as today's earlier screenshot leak indicated. Itagaki is pushing to include even more ideas his team had to scrap with the franchise relaunch (and relaunch), admitting that they made many compromises. We've lost count of the numbers -- does Black count -- but maybe this time will be the charm. According to a brief 1UP preview, the title will be published by Microsoft instead of Tecmo, so this one seems locked into a 360 exclusive. Look for the game in 2008. Read - Live at the Microsoft Pre-TGS press briefing Read - Previews: Ninja Gaiden 2 %Gallery-7335% [Thanks, Jonah]
Live at the Microsoft Pre-TGS press briefing
Our friends from Engadget Japan are live on the scene in Tokyo, feeding us updates from Microsoft's Xbox 360 2007 pre-TGS briefing. Maybe they'll finally come clean on Ninja Gaiden 2 for the 360, we'll see. We'll update this post live throughout the event. 1:10PM – The show begins with a CGI trailer, after which Takashi Sensui, Microsoft Japan's Xbox division manager takes the stage. He introduces Hironobu Sakaguchi who says that his Unreal Engine 3-powered RPG Lost Odyssey is 95% completed.
Ninja Gaiden 2 shots brutally fun?
Stemming from a Japanese Xbox 360 page (which has now been pulled) are several screenshots of what appears to be Ninja Gaiden 2 (now graciously hosted by Gamed.nl). While the images don't look leaps and bounds above the original Ninja Gaiden, they are filled with enough new content to make us believe this is actually Ninja Gaiden 2 and not yet another remake. The shots feature new enemies and new weapons -- including claws and a scythe -- not to mention copious amounts of blood. No, seriously, there's a lot of blood. That, and just about every shot shows at least one severed appendage (or head, or torso ...).Given the brutal nature of the screenshots, we have to wonder if the screenshots (and their subsequent disappearance) are linked to a countdown on Xbox.com. Labeled "Brutally Fun" and sporting an Asian theme, it wouldn't surprise us if the countdown is related. Either that or the powers that be have finally decided to create the long awaited final chapter of Brutal: Paws of Fury. Whatever it is, we'll know by midnight ET tonight when the countdown is set to expire.[Via Joystiq]
Rumor: Ninja Gaiden 2 images leaked on Xbox Japan site
Reportedly originating from a now yanked page on the official Japanese Xbox 360 site, several gloriously violent images depicting what appears to be Ninja Gaiden 2 have been preserved at dutch site Gamed.nl. While we await confirmation (or debilitating denial) from Microsoft, be sure to gaze lovingly at what could be Tecmo's long-awaited ninja kill-em-up sequel. With our analysis failing to detect any familiar content, we're fairly certain this isn't yet another remake of the original Xbox classic in the vein of Ninja Gaiden Omega Beta Orange. What will evoke familiar responses, however, is the sheer number of severed limbs featured in the screenshots. You'll spot flying heads, arms, feet, torsos and more blood than you ever thought the human body could hold. Update: Microsoft's take on Ninja Gaiden 2? "At this time, we have nothing to announce." [Thanks, Jean]
Rumor: Ninja Gaiden 2 for 360 to be at Tokyo Game Show
There is a rather perverse enjoyment of reading bad translations at Joystiq HQ (which is located in France, of course). So it is with a hushed giggle that we inform you of a rumor stemming from GameSpot Korean that [nin] the guy to sleep 2 it is burnt, also known as Ninja Gaiden 2, will be shown on the Xbox 360 at this year's Tokyo Game Show. A Japanese insider also reportedly said that a PS3 version is not yet detailed. Our Korean is a little rusty, so until we hear a confirmation in another language (Japanese, Spanish, German, Swahili, English or French, of course) and can translate in-house, consider this just a juicy rumor to sink your katana into. [Via X3F]
Ryu Hayabusa demands a few minutes of your time
IGN has uploaded an impressive direct-feed video of Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword. And, seriously, we need this game. It looks like it could provide us with some top-notch action on our handheld of choice. We won't waste any more time describing just how awesome this footage is (beautiful, amazing, wonderful) and will instead point you past the post break for the goods.
First Ninja Gaiden Sigma expansion coming September 6th
As we previously reported three Ninja Gaiden Sigma expansions will be released before the end of the year. Surprisingly, we won't have to wait too much longer than the Japanese for the first one. Currently, this news is only for European readers. Though, for the moment we're going to assume that it will be released for all English speaking regions simultaneously (but how often does that ever happen?). The first expansion will be released in Europe on September 6th and will no doubt cost a few pennies. The expansion itself is called "Weapon Master" and consists of five survival modes that require you to utilize limited weaponry to defeat as many opponents as possible. The second is entitled "Speed Master" and consists of five more levels where you must defeat your enemies as quickly as possible. The final expansion will be called "Rachel Master" (Oi, you in the back - stop sniggering) in which you play as Rachel in five levels to become the "World's number 1 Fiend Hunter." There's no word on release dates for the latter two expansions, nor on any sort of pricing structure. We'll keep you updated with any announcements regarding American release dates, when we hear them.
Ninja Gaiden Sigma DLC coming to Europe, Japan
Looking for more challenge with Ninja Gaiden Sigma? Eidos, the European publisher, has announced that the first of three planned content packs will be available for download on September 6. Tecmo has also announced the packs are due out in Japan, starting with the first on August 30. All three are forms of Survival Mode, where you battle an infinite swarm of enemies. The first one to be made available will be Weapon Master. In each of the five challenges, you will be given a limited weapon set for survival. Other packs include Speed Master and Rachel Master, each with five challenges apiece. Those packs will be released at an as-of-yet unknown later date. The first pack in Japan will cost 315 yen (approx. US $3). No word on the pricing of the European content or if we can expect similar release dates / pricing for the US. Read - Ninja Gaiden PS3 DLC soon (Eurogamer) Read - Ninja Gaiden downloadable content announced (IGN)
Ninja Gaiden returns to the series' roots with awesome interstitials
Whether this is intentional or not, Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword is bridging the classic NES Ninja Gaiden games with the newer Xbox/PS3 game. Not necessarily in terms of gameplay, as, except for the stylus control, this looks to play a lot like the Xbox game, but rather, in presentation. The NES Ninja Gaiden got noticed in 1989 in part because of its brilliant anime-style cutscenes. Dragon Sword relies on the same kind of device to tell its story, using startlingly well-drawn comic panels to tell the epic story of whatever the excuse is this time for Ryu Hayabusa to slash at people and monsters with a big sword. It was probably a space-saving decision to use still images to replace full-motion video, and, judging by the results, it was a good one.
Want Ninja Gaiden Sigma expansions? Get your wallet ready
Tecmo have recently announced a number of expansions for Ninja Gaiden Sigma being released before the end of the year. In Japan, at least. The first expansion, available in Japan at the end of the month, will include a survival mode in which you must fight back a tidal wave of enemies with limited health. The second expansion will be available in September and will include a new time attack mode. Finally (for now) Rachel will get to play out the survival mode when the third expansion is released in October. There is currently no word on when they will be available in America or Europe. But these expansions won't be free. It may be the case that you'll have to part with a number of shiny cents (and, potentially, even several dollars) if you want these extra nuggets of gameplay. The first expansion will cost the Japanese 315 yen (about $3), but since when did these prices translate directly over from region to region? Is this something you're likely to hand over money for?
Itagaki speaks with Joystiq
It's no secret that we love Tomonobu Itagaki. Just about every game he has been a part of creating has been excellent in our eyes. So, every time he speaks, we listen. That's just the way it goes. And his latest interview, with big poppa site Joystiq, is no exception. Itagaki speaks about Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword and the choice to bring it to the DS. Apparently, he didn't do it because the DS sells like 24K gold hotcakes or because he believes it to be a superior system to the PSP (hint: he does), but because of his children. Yup, his kids wanted a game on the DS, so he obliged. The remainder of the interview focuses on his other projects at the moment, which are for other platforms, but we suggest you read it anyway.
Itagaki's kids want a Wii game
There may be brutally difficult action in the future for the Wii. Joystiq's Kevin Kelly recently interviewed Team Ninja's outspoken leader, Tomonobu Itagaki about his recent games and future plans. Kelly asked about the possibility of a Wii game now that Team Ninja's got a DS game in the works, and Itagaki revealed that his decision to make Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword was based on input from an exclusive focus group: his own children. "We're doing a lot of research, that's about all I can say right now. Although, to add on that note, my kids have been saying they want a game for the Wii. To tell you the truth, Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword, that's because my kids were asking for one of my titles to be on the DS." We already know that Itagaki's been thinking about Wii games, as has Ninja Gaiden Sigma's Yusuke Hayashi, so this is just further reinforcement of the possibility. Itagaki's kids must have some skillz if Ninja Gaiden games are being designed for them. The good news is that, if Team Ninja is designing what appears to be a real action game in response to these kids, there's a good chance that the Wii game will be similarly hardcore.
