A good game. Fun for people used to it, but challenging for newcomers. Its a risk with this one.
You're a ninja with The Blood of the Dragons coursing through you're veins. As Ryu Hayabusa, you need to stop the threat of the Fiends looming over the world. Use many weapons and combos to slice and dice through foes like butter. Lop off heads and watch them roll. Plant a shuriken in a ninja dog and watch it explode. Sounds good, right? Well, its okay. This one is a toss up. Ninja Gaiden isn't known for its story. This one is still fairly poor. But its about the gameplay on this one. And ninjas can survive exploding armadillos by holding the Block Button, by the way...so maybe this game is for you.
Enemy AI:
i'm not so sure that the enemy AI is so much extremely intelligent, or there are just tons of them thrown your way at once. Both, possibly? Probably. Enemies will know when to pull a grab move on you when you're guarding too much. They have guard breaking moves. They have projectile weapons to screw over your guarding. Moral of this...don't stand in one spot too long. This game will punish you for it. So I'd say the AI is pretty darn good.
Difficulty:
I never do a separate section for the Difficulty of a game...but this one deserves it. You start off With Path of the Acolyte [EASY] and Path of the Warrior [NORMAL]. Newercomers might want to start out with Acolyte. Warrior is a hard way to begin this game without really knowing what to expect. Acolyte should be a challenge in its own right for the newer players. You should soon unlock Path of the Mentor [HARD] and Path of the Master Ninja [VERY HARD]. Both, I will admit, are extremely difficult. You really need to know when to pull the right combos for these. And there are many combos to know.
Gameplay:
You're thrown quickly into the fight in this one. Short cutscene, and you're already surrounded. The learning curve can be a bit difficult with all the combos to try and master with the variety of weapons you're given throughout the game. There are Ultimate Techniques, Obliteration Techniques, Ninpos, special doges, couter attacks, etc., etc. This game is not for those looking to hack n' slash their way through. I found a few problems with the platforming aspects of the game. Running from wall to wall can be a bit touchy, swimming is not all too joy filled to attempt, and the camera at times...is atrocious. It makes making your way to the other side of a pole difficult. But I can say that the one touch 'Y' button Obliteration Techniques can make you forget these issues from time to time.
Sound / Voices:
The sound efx of the game are enjoyable. Its fun listening to limbs be hacked and dropped to the ground. But that doesn't all make up for the crap voice overs. But when was this game known for the incredible voices to go with the outstanding story?
Replay Value: Moderate -
If you get good with this game, then take a challenge and go through all the difficulties. Get the achievements for completing the game with onely ONE of your weapons. If this game is frustrating you on Acolyte, it isn't going to get any better for you, bud.
Thank you for reading, I hope this has been helpful to you.