Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin - Kotaku Comments

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

twrexx — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:06:49 MDT

Ive been waiting for this game since i played the demo dl from gamestop like 2 months ago....FINALLY got it, and it doesnt disappoint. Its shortcomings are trifles i assure all who havent bought this title yet. Its length and difficulty are optimum for on the go, and if you have the chance to plug it in to a stereo system like those subwoofer chairs--do it, its like your first time all over again...

twrexx

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

SpearXXI — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 12:09:53 MDT

Ninja Gaiden DS is a stellar addition to the DS library, and kicks Assassin's Creed DS out of the water in so many ways.

SpearXXI

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

Deviocity — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 02:25:26 MDT

@Mricci424: If it's anything like other DS games that tell you to "yell," then blowing into the mic should work just fine. Perfect in public.

Deviocity

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

Scazza — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 23:07:00 MDT

Got it today and just damn... it is bloody brillant. There are so many times at the start of an area that you just want to bad guys to not come so you can admire the amazing hand drawn backgrounds.

Plus controls are great as well, only wish there was a little more variety in the moves, as far as I can tell, there is only a small set of moves you can do, which has already started to feel a little stale.

Scazza

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

Xiedo — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:56:43 MDT

@Mricci424: Talking into the mic isn't necessary. A quick, sharp breath will also do the trick.

Really lovin' this game, despite a hit to difficulty. I actually think it's still quite hard going for UTs and Karma... or maybe I just haven't gotten the new mechanics down yet. Touch screen controls are definitely sex, anyway.

Xiedo

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

Torgen got his apology faceplate but not his fixed GH3 disc — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:41:14 MDT

@KM91: Ninja Gaiden + Suplexes?

Torgen got his apology faceplate but not his fixed GH3 disc

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

eastx — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 23:36:05 MDT

Ah, thanks for that. Team Ninja girls never have nipples since DOA 2 though, do they?

eastx

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

Zero_Beat — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 23:06:18 MDT

Though I do agree with all of the downsides, it should be mentioned that these are mere trifles compared to the amount of pure, liquid awesome the managed to cram into the cartridge.

@eastx:
The ta-tas are less prominent, although Ishtaros and Nicchae are waving their nipple-less boobs in your face. Hell, Ishtaros has a thong that's made of entirely out of a tattoo. Also, Momiji shows some cleavage. Now I'm wondering if she'll be in the next DoA or DoAX.

Zero_Beat

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

eastx — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 21:59:25 MDT

They took out the ta-tas?

eastx

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

KM91 — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:57:22 MDT

They should really bring a Ninja Gaiden to the Wii. No waggle, but more No More Heroes-esque slashing action.

KM91

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

Ultrasinc — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:55:08 MDT

Yeah, like they did for Ninja Gaiden 2, there should be a casual and hardcore difficultly to start off with...

Ultrasinc

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

futurebiblehero — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:43:12 MDT

I'm about half through and have to say this review is spot-on with what I've played so far. I am elated to see such fare hit the DS, though. I almost wish everyone would buy a copy.

futurebiblehero

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

Tull — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:27:11 MDT

@shimage: I remember how people started laughing and calling the leather-jacketed one as crazy, or at the very least talking out of his ass about his games being the best, but his team does seem to pull off what he brags about.

Tull

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

mexfreak86 — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:04:30 MDT

Kotaku reviews are awesome! I want to pick up this game so bad.

mexfreak86

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

残心 — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:56:06 MDT

When did six hours become short for a portable game? >.>;

残心

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

shimage — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:15:25 MDT

So when I heard Itagaki say that controls on NG:DS were going to put everyone else to shame, I figured that was his ego talking. But my impression from every review I've read is that he was basically right? This, to me, is utterly mindblowing. If Team Ninja can nail touchscreen controls on their first try, what the hell is everyone else doing?

shimage

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

jayntampa — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:06:27 MDT

@DaiMacculate: That's good to hear ... it'll be nice to play a game without a stream of expletives flowing from my mouth. For some reason, I have less patience for handheld games having too high a level of difficulty.

jayntampa

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

DaiMacculate — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:49:08 MDT

This game is really, really fun. Most of the good stuff from NG with a little less bone-crushing challenge for those of us who aren't uber-skilled ;)

DaiMacculate

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

Tull — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:46:27 MDT

@FunKrusher: Now that I can't use the "I don't own a DS" excuse I will have to see how the Warhammer 40k squad game for the DS looks like and maybe even give those Phoenix Wright titles a try.

Tull

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

FunKrusher — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:37:18 MDT

@Tull:

That's funny, this was actually the game that put the DS over the top for me. Sure there were a ton of other games I missed (can't go wrong with Ninty 1st parties most of the time). But this sealed my recently purchased DS deal, now though I'm catching up on all the games I missed!

I must say DS is really heavy with RPGS and RTS games, not that I mind, but dang!

FunKrusher

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

Superstar90 — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:19:44 MDT

You can unlock a harder difficulty when you beat the Normal mode... it is actually pretty hard. I think there is a third unlockable difficulty as well. So the 6 hour length is pretty good because you play through it a lot.

Superstar90

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

derwaffle — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:18:29 MDT

Aww yeah baby... back that assassin up.

derwaffle

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

Mricci424 — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:11:13 MDT

best part of the game is when your on the bus, and you realize you need to "MINI SPOILER" yell to wake up the Muramasa

Mricci424

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

Gadgetron — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:52:57 MDT

I picked this up last night, and its a really fun game.

Gadgetron

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:50:50 MDT

@jayntampa: I think I just happened to burn through it quicker than others may. I didn't spend any time unlocking the prizes and sped through as quickly as I could to make sure the review was ready.

Michael McWhertor

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

fuchikoma — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:43:25 MDT

Awesome review title.
And I agree with the review based on the demo I played.

fuchikoma

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

elpoepFTW — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:41:52 MDT

Yes I can't believe people are surprised that this game is good. Team Ninja rarely puts out crap and if you have been keeping up with its progress you'd know.

elpoepFTW

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

jayntampa — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:38:05 MDT

Good deal, thanks for the review! I was planning on picking this up later (I already got my katana stylus). Six hours isn't very long, but I'm actually ok with that length for a handheld. I'm not a huge fan of respawning enemies, though ... so, I'll probably race through those rooms, too :D

jayntampa

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

Mr.SithNinja — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:37:24 MDT

That article headline make me want to quit work right now to go buy a DS and that game! That should have been the title of the game.

"Tap that Assassin" = Win

Mr.SithNinja

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

shipwreck — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:37:04 MDT

@Michael McWhertor:

No deals to be had on this one. Pretty much $35 everywhere right now. Believe me, I've checked because I have a really difficult time paying $35 for a DS game.

shipwreck

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

Seiven — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:34:10 MDT

picking up mine tomorrow, I pre-ordered but had classes last night and tonight. Damn EB with their closing before 11...drive them slaves!!!

Seiven

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

Tull — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:31:42 MDT

@Rubix42: I'm all for new IP. From what I could tell the time from announcement of this game last year to release was quite short. Plus, one has to factor in that this was the first time they were working with the DS. With Phoenix Wright and other series on the DS coming out less than a year from the previous release I think TN could figure out a way to continue the series on the DS and still release both NG, DOA and new IP.

Tull

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:26:25 MDT

@Kazzahdrane: It will most likely be $34.99 across the board, but Target, WalMart and Toys R Us will probably be your best bet for finding it in stock. I would check the weekly ads online for each, just in case someone's running a deal.

Michael McWhertor

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

Kingofblades2278 — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:24:07 MDT

@Rubix42:

Then you'll be happy to hear about this. Team Ninja has a new IP called Project Progressive. Not much is known about it other than that it'll use the same combat engine Ninja Gaiden uses. I want it already.

Kingofblades2278

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

Samos42 — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:20:15 MDT

Apparently to get the traditional hard as fuck Ninja Gaiden experience, you need to play it on the harder difficulty you unlock after beating the game the first once.

Samos42

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:19:49 MDT

@excel_excel: SMILEY EMOTICON!

Michael McWhertor

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

Kazzahdrane — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:19:48 MDT

I'm heading to NYC for a few days at the end of this week, think I might pop into a Gamestop and pick this up.

Question for Americans: Which high street store am I likely to get the best price for this? Would Walmart be cheaper? Dunno which stores I'll be around but I'd like to pick it up for as cheap as possible obviously. Mind you, anything is going to be cheaper than the $60 it'll cost here in the UK on release...

Kazzahdrane

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:19:21 MDT

@Darth Navster: I think they went a bit too far in lowering the difficulty, but that's clearly a personal preference. Consider it mostly a warning to NG fans who were expecting more masochism.

Michael McWhertor

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

Rubix42 — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:17:34 MDT

@Tull:

Not to be rude, but I disagree, Team Ninja needs to put out the other games they have announced. They announced a couple of non Ninja Gaiden games over a year ago, and then went totally dark on anything but the Ninja Gaiden stuff.

I would love to see them put out both, but given a choice I would take a new IP over a sequel any day.

Rubix42

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

Darth Navster — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:17:01 MDT

I'm kind of digging the lower difficulty of Dragon Sword. The punishing learning curve of the Xbox version made me skip it despite the awesome graphics and gameplay. This game is much more enjoyable just for the fact that I'm not dying every five seconds.

Darth Navster

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

excel_excel — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:16:44 MDT

Great review, Michael I heart you for this! I HEART YOU MICHAEL

excel_excel

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

Tull — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:11:46 MDT

I bought a DS Lite once I heard this game was out. I've spent a couple hours on it already and I'm having a blast. Be nice if Team Ninja decides to make this a DS series and come up with another in a year or two.

Tull

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

lonecow12 — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:10:59 MDT

@Komrade_Kayce:

Are you kidding? Everyone has been praising the hell out of this game before it even came out.

lonecow12

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

Rubix42 — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:09:26 MDT

I am loving this game. So stellar. I agree with the weak sauce difficulty though. Fans of the Xbox/PS3 version will be breezing through normal.

Apparently a hard mode unlocks after the first playthrough, so I have hope that that provides more intense action for people like me.

Rubix42

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

Erwin — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:09:07 MDT

Greatest review title ever!
The game did look interesting, but I'd like to see how it plays.

Erwin

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

Komrade_Kayce — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:08:32 MDT

What what what?

So... this game is good? Thats something I didn't expect. Now I'll have to go check it out.

Komrade_Kayce

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword Review: Tap That Assassin

AEREC — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:06:47 MDT

Ive got a trip coming up in May...I will probably pick it up just before then.

AEREC