The Revenge of Shinobi

The Good
This game was one of my favorites when I had the old Megadrive. It had a good range of levels, some really tough bosses and great butt kicking action. The enemies were, as you would expect, easy but got harder as the game went on. The music fitted the game perfectly and the gameplay was awesome.

The Bad
Although the graphics were disappointing and the levels were a little repetitive, there really isn't anything I can complain about (Apart from the fact that I never completed it).

The Bottom Line
This game is great for all retro gamers with all the old consoles and a good one for first time gamers. A real classic and a worthy sequel.

The Good
Graphics are damn good; looks great especially the backdrops...I mean look at Joe at the title screen; OMG! The music is one of Yuzo Koshiro's best (my favorite music in the game is the one in Round 7-1 and 8-1)...Gameplay is pretty fast-paced and challenging...enough to keep me engaged. Also, the secret items are pretty unique ways to get the secret...nice touch.

The Bad
The backwards-fall BS is what really annoys me about this game when you get hurt or touch an enemy, you end up flying off a cliff or into the water because of this. Jeez! Though the secrets have unique ways to get the secret, there's one in Round 1-2 in between 2 spiked platforms that's almost impossible to get it and the only way to get is to hurt yourself...or to use the Ikazuchi ninjitsu (if u do that, you won't be able to get the Technical Bonus in Round 1)... Also, most things generally takes about 1/4 or even all of it (In Hardest, the Round 7 boss, if you get hit by it's tail, you get killed instantly even with max health WTF?)...

The Bottom Line
Overall, this game is the best launch title for the Genesis! If this wasn't as frustrating as it is, this game would've been better but still an awesome game...

Revenge of Shinobi is a pretty good game but this isn't the game for beginners (even on Easy mode) and will make you angry...but practice makes perfect...

The Good
Here's the good about Revenge of the Shinobi. The graphics have actually aged pretty well. It has nice, detailed backgrounds and sprites. The music is very memorable and is hard to forget. The cameos in the game may surprise you, so keep an eye out for some you may recognize. While game play seeming simple, the environments will have variety requiring you to adapt to each level's design. It provides you with a special aerial move and 4 shinobi spells. The ninja you see in the opening of the game, is none other than the legendary Sonny Chiba. Being a launch title, you will be impressed by the level of detail in this game.

The Bad
What stood out for me I did not like, was the controls. they may feel clunky or slow on your first couple of plays. Without spoiling, there will be 1 or 2 obstacles you will come across that will halt your progress. Probably requiring practice and may eat at your lives.

The Bottom Line
Revenge of the Shinobi is one the quality games on the Genesis, you do not want to miss out on. It is an official Sega original, allowing you to stomp, leap, and chop your way to gaining your revenge.

The Good
Gameplay can be quite hard on you, but thanks to a health bar instead of being killed in one hit, you have a fair number of chances to get past obstacles. As a bonus, you have unlimited time, a hidden deflecting ability, can do double jumps, there are collectible powerups and you're not stuck rescuing hostages. If you're really in a pickle, there's always the ninja powers for one use every stage and the special midair throwing technique. Each boss you face has a unique weakness to exploit, making you adapt to the current situation from the easy touch of the controller. It's amazing that Spider-Man makes an appearance, it's almost like playing a "Sega Vs. Marvel" crossover. And lastly the final boss is dependent on the player's actions for the good ending. Excellent gameplay.

Graphics are done well, making you feel like you're traversing in actual locations, with all that rich lighting and some animated foregrounds. The music has a nice variety of oriental Japan-themed tunes and techno beat tracks, the rhythm just seems to match your movements, you just can't stop playing.

The Bad
As fair as the game's difficulty is, there's no way to make it easier for the less than intrepid game player. For instance you have limited shurikens instead of infinite, forcing you to ration them and its irritating that touching an enemy hurts you. Both those problems weren't around in the earlier Shinobi titles. The hardest part of the game is the labyrinth level, in which you need to take very specific doors to find the exit (a map would have been a great help). Thankfully enemies do not respawn like they do in Ninja Gaiden. If only there was a some story text to accompany the game for a little bit of flavour. In the end, there's no that much to gripe about the game.

The Bottom Line
This game was significant improvement from Sega's earlier arcade Shinobi prequels. This is what a true sequel on a new console should be like, making the best use of its capabilities and delivering something entertaining to play. The best elements of Shinobi and Shadow Dancer made their way to this title, plus a whole lot of welcoming new ones. If you love platforming and ninja action, play this title and give it the respect it deserves.