Scattered with QTEs
Out of all the games shown from Microsoft at this week's Tokyo Game Show, Ninja Blade, a new exclusive Xbox 360 action adventure really caught our eye.Ninja Blade offers a twist from traditional Ninja games by bringing the stealthy group of assassins into a city environment. In this game you're tasked with defending Tokyo, skyscrapers and all, from a genetically mutating disease which has affected the population.
High atop the towering skyscrapers of modern-day Tokyo, Ken Ogawa and his team of skilled ninjas are deployed to destroy the infected monster horde and stem the spreading disease as humanity hangs in the balance. Matters quickly take a turn for the worse as Ogawa and his team are betrayed from within their own ranks. After narrowly escaping death, Ogawa is left to fight the daunting battle alone while also attempting to understand the motivations behind his father’s betrayal.
Armed with an including the powerful forces of Ninja Vision and Todomé Attack, players must fight insurmountable odds, and once again bring peace and order to Tokyo. To help defeat the genetically mutated monsters,we'll have an extensive arsenal of specialized ninja weapons, tools and skills, including the special abilities of Ninja Vision and Todomé Attack at their fingertips. Enabling Ninja Vision will allow players to detect and analyze potential enemy weak points, secret paths and hidden information within the environment. Todomé Attack is a special attack that destroys an enemy character’s core (heart), by dealing a fatal wound. Balanced and calculated use of both these abilities will be critical to progressing through the game.
Click for larger imageMicrosoft tells us that varied environments will force players to think strategically about which set of weapons and tools will be most effective at conquering their way through different levels. Everything from dual-wielding swords to grapple wire hooks and grenades has distinctive features and characteristics. Ninjutsu is a special power that results in an explosive electrical force to either stun enemies or protect oneself from attack. Only true Ninja Masters can achieve this technique.
The game will also be scattered with quick-time events, where players will have the opportunity to directly interact with in-game cut scenes. Quick reflexes will be rewarded as you interact with controller buttons as directed on screen during battles.
Judging from the first screenshots, Ninja Blade is already looking impressive.
More screenshots overleaf...
