Well the most unthinkable thing has happened! I have moved and lost my DSL connection for at least 6 weeks- my consolation prize in the meantime is a crappy dial up connection. There is only one thing good about this- I will be able to return to single player gaming which includes Ninja Gaiden on Very Hard! Over the coming weeks I will add journal entries to this diary basically giving my personal impressions of the game and also random tips on select locations which I found especially challenging. Please note this Journal is full of spoilers so read at your caution!
WOW! This game is as breathtakingly gorgeous as I remember it over 9 months ago! Some friends have told me that Prince of Persia: Sands of Time is the best looking game on Xbox but I'm not sure how any game can really compare to Ninja Gaiden. The opening chapter of NG is awesome... humble beginnings to say the least but the immersion factor of the environment is so great that it immediately pulls you in. The outside scenes are beautifully rendered- my favorite being the outdoor inclining walkway connecting the Ninja Fortress and the Inner Sanctum or the outside walkway that connects the Underground Warehouse with the Ninja Fortress. The backdrop of fall colors is done flawlessly an the intermittent leaves that fall are a great touch.
Chapters 1 and 2 require you to master one of the most fundamental techniques in the game- the roll (L trigger + thumbstick). Without the benefits of the counter scroll that you obtain after defeating the Samurai Horse-lord at the end of Chapter 2, this technique is essential to beating the time attacks and staying out of trouble. The Ninja room in Chapter 1 is 10x harder without using it and indeed the Murai battle is nearly impossible.
Chapter 2 introduces you to Ninpo. I will be man enough to admit it here- the first time I played through the game I didn't even realize Ryu had a magic capability. It was only until I gained my first spirit devil in Chapter 4 that my incredible observation skills picked up the subtle burning orb underneath my health meter! (You can assume I didn't read the manual either!) Anyways, Ninpo is a powerful addition to Ryu's array of moves- from the introductory Fire of Wheels which showcases Ninpo's power, to ever increasing powerful magic controlling fire, electricity, and ice. I must say though that ever since I read the Karma FAQ by aaxe I have used Ninpo more reluctantly because of the big hit in Ninpo related karma at the end of a chapter.
The most defining moment in Chapter 2 for me is when Ryu first enters the Hayabusa Village- the music changes into a very somber tone. It captures the moment perfectly as Ryu discovers his fallen Ninja clansmen. Finally, the cracked stone and the circle of stones foreshadow the return you will make later in the game. One last note is that you can make use of Ryu's water-walking ability near the waterfall. I thought it was a very cool move even though it has little real purpose beyond Chapter 2.