Cheap Nightshade (Video Games) (PlayStation2) Price

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Customer Reviews of Nightshade

Not the best, but better than Shinobi
Nightshade is not a game to be taken lightly. The first few levels may seem easy, but it gets quite frustrating towards the end. The number of cheap deaths you accumulate by falls can get staggering if you aren't paying attention to where you're jumping and which enemies you're killing in order to stay airborne. Herein lies both a strength and weakness to Nightshade. The aerial combat is a great idea and is visually impressive when properly executed, but to force the player to rely on it in order to pass certain areas will most definitely turn off many gamers. Other weak points are the lack of a Japanese language option and the poorly written dialogue. Hibana's catch-phrases at the end of a completed Tate gets real tiring, real fast.

Still, the game's not all bad. The animation is crisp and fluid and Hibana's scarf is not as exaggerated as Hotsuma's was in Shinobi. Speaking of which, Hotsuma is an unlockable character in the game along with Hisui (a rival ninja) and Joe Musashi, the original Shinobi hero. There are also multiple costume options for Hibana and Hisui, my favorites being Hibana's scandalous second costume (you have to see it to believe it) and Hisui's cute second costume which is reminiscent of something out of Jet Set Radio Future. Despite the nicks in its blade, Nightshade should be given a chance by those disappointed with Shinobi.

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Suffers from repetitive backrounds and gameplay
Nightshade, Sega's new Shinobi spin-off for PS2, isn't quite the classic fans have been hoping for. Besides the newly added kick button and chakra projectile attacks, the gameplay remains very similar to Shinobi. The story now focuses on Hibana, a female ninja whose mission is to retrieve pieces of the soul-hungry Akujiki sword. With the absence of the energy draining sword in hand, the difficulty is slightly reduced and the player is now free to advance through the levels at their own pace. However, the levels designs, the enemies, and the story is a bit ho-hum this time around. After having to slice through meaningless wave after wave of hellspawn insects on repetitive backrounds, boredom quickly sets in. I hate to say it, but the whole package smacks of a game system that has reached it's limits...maybe the PS2 doesn't have much life left in it. Whatever the case, gamers looking for an action platformer should think twice before purchasing Nightshade. Unless you are a hardcore fan of Shinobi, I recommend checking out Ninja Gaiden or Onimusha 3 instead.