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Review: Mark of the Ninja If PAX Prime 2012 had a yearbook, under "Most Popular" would read this week's XBLA release Mark of the Ninja. It's rare that I'm interested in a game so well liked that I have to throw elbows just to check out a demo, but there I was last weekend, shamelessly flashing press credentials like they were a goddamn police badge in my attempt to test drive this compelling, crowd-drawing title. I'm glad I did. Quite literally, this is the most ninja game ever made.
Mark of the Ninja (Xbox Live Arcade) Mark of the Ninja is a 2D cel-shaded platformer wherein players sneak, hide, and distract their way through multiple levels of guards and enemies, earning points based on stealthiness to rack up high scores. The game features a number of enchanting ninja-themed mechanisms, from hiding in doorways and climbing through elaborate vent systems, to dangling from grappling hooks and using bamboo darts to confuse guards. Points are awarded based the player's ability to avoid detection and confrontation, as well as to successfully find artifacts and scrolls that key into the mysterious source of the protagonist's powers. Mark of the Ninja is one of those few games that triumphs in virtually every area. The controls are instinctual and easy to pick up, and selecting items is done completely through controller buttons, eliminating disruptive trips to the menu and adding a fluidity that contributes to the foreboding stillness of the game's atmosphere. The first level adequately familiarizes the player with the various tools and stealth techniques, while secondary objectives (called "seals") reinforce their constant use. Color cues are used frequently, guiding the player to climbable walls or demonstrating their visibility to guards, which have a detection range illustrated by orbs indicating their line of sight.
Earning points serves a dual purpose of both encouraging multiple run-throughs and allowing the player to buy upgrades, such as Distraction items, attack items, and new techniques. For instance, early in the game you cannot execute a cinematic kill from behind a plant or while emerging from a vent, but both those abilities can be bought at a later time. Distraction items like firecrackers and smoke bombs stun and confuse guards, while attack items aid in the discouraged but occasional head-to-head confrontation. The artwork certainly lives up to the legacy and hype, appropriately thematic and delivered with impeccable flair. The creative kill animations and cutscenes deliver the Klei style we're familiar with while also blending into a dark and gritty kung fu comic aesthetic. But perhaps what stands out the most are the little flourishes: terrorizing guards by breaking street lights or shooting strategically placed noisemakers, hiding bodies to avoid detection, avoiding dogs that can sniff out threats even in the dark. Klei really went the extra mile in every facet of the game.
Even my few complaints are extremely minor. Sometimes the checkpoints (which are otherwise reasonable) set you back a fair bit, and I didn't find the story all that compelling. Ultimately neither mattered much in light of the satisfaction I got from the gameplay. I find Mark of the Ninja to be perfect. Let it stand as the benchmark by which all stealth games are now measured.  THE VERDICTLegacy Comments (will be imported soon)Whoa, a 10. Wasn't expecting that. But since I found both Shanks to be completely absorbing, I won't doubt it. Wow. I'm a big XBLA gamer and this wasn't even on my radar until I saw it on the marketplace. I didn't like Shank all that much but this looks like a must-buy. As soon as I get paid I'm jumping on this. Does it have a same-sex romance option in it? No? Then how can Mark of the Ninja get a 10?
It's missing the most critical part of a high-quality modern game release! Don't they want this thing to be seen as high art rather than mindless diversions for heterosexual teenage boys and ladettes?! With sincerity,I'll be looking forward to having Mark of the Ninja share Harddrive space with all of the other 2-D action XBLA games such as Dust,Bionic Commando Rearmed,Gunstar Heroes,Alien Hominid and Hardcorps: Uprising. Putting Krystal aside, that sharing of HDD space is close enough to a all male inter-species seven-way so that's close enough. So, is this game a classic of the stealth genre? I have to say I'm pretty skeptic, but it certainly seems like a good game. ... please bring this to PC, I'm selling my xbox and the only games I'm going to miss are XBLA classics like these. I hate having a 20 GB 360 harddrive. I really need to upgrade it, because after getting rock band blitz, I have hardly any space left... I wasn't a big fan of shank at all, but if this is as good as it sounds, I might have to pick it up. To be fair guys, Shank was from the beat em up genre and it was gorgeous and mostly solid control wise. Wow that was a really great review. Very compact and to the point. I will certainly check out the demo. I'm playing this right now. It's sooooo good. I've been terrorizing Outer Heaven trying (and failing) to get everyone with a 360 to at least try this out. If you're a fan of stealth games then it so lives up to the hype. Thought the review was a bit short when I hit the link, but if it's that good then you couldn't really say more without just gushing over it.
Fuck. Come to PC you delightful looking thing. Klei makes seriously good games. I doubt we'll be getting this on PSN but if I gotta play it on PC, I will. PSN PSN PSN PSN PSN PSN PSN PSN PSN PSN PSN PSN PSN PSN PSN PSN PSN PSN PSN PSN PSN PSN PSN PSN PSN PSN PSN PSN PSN PSN!!!!!! I wholeheartedly agree Holly.Downloaded this yesterday and I'm having such a great time with it.Can't stop playing.Thanks for the great review. from nels anderson lead designer on mark of the ninja
"And yeah, PSN is basically off the table, just as there's no Halo on PS3 or Uncharted on Xbox. We'd like to a Steam version though, just gotta sort out all the details on that." because - Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios I hate stealth games because of the typically shoddy stealth mechanics used, its funny so many of them get it wrong.
This game is fucking amazing! I love every second, industrial/offices are great settings and kinda refreshing, not many games use the setting. Checkpoints are a bit sporadic, but god damn this is the game YOU NEED! Stop what you're doing and get a 360 and you'll be glad you did, this game fucking rocks! Hope this comes to PSN since i'm planning on trading in my 360.
Really enjoyed the demo. Big fan of stealth games and stealth mechanics. will be getting this at some point once it gets it inevitable steam release also it is a bit short a review especially for a game given a perfect 10, usually those marks only come with a huge review Is it just me, or is Wesley's name coming up as Niero?
I got incredibly confused for a few minutes there. Wesley, is this like Face/Off thing that happened or something? Also, unrelated, but it's kind of entertaining how little people know about what cel-shading actually is. Played a little of the game tonight, shit is ridiculously great. As of now, 10/10 is a perfectly valid score. I'd like to see anyone else attempt to make 2D stealth this good. @dario
Look anywhere else for a review. They are all equally glowing, though not so bold as to give it a 10. Will wait for psn/pc port also... waiting for Lawman to stop pestering me about this game.. I dont feel I will until it comes out for psn/pc and I get it.. THANKS STUPID GAME THAT GOT A 10 Double Fine's latest adventure The Cave drops next weekThe Cave publisher Sega has pinned down the release schedule for this new adventure game from the joyful minds at Double Fine Productions. Even though it's coming to several digital distribution services, there thankfully are... more Review: Kinect PartyHey, Television! Check out Double Fine’s latest game for Xbox Live Arcade: Kinect Party. In fun-loving Double Fine fashion, it was released for free upon launch in mid-December until the New Year. For those of you who d... more Pre-orders for Double Fine's The Cave open on SteamWhile the exact release date for The Cave hasn't been nailed down quite yet -- it's "January 2013," for now -- the upcoming adventure game from Ron Gilbert and co. at Double Fine Productions will be available shortly. In fact... more Double Fine's Middle Manager of Justice out now on iOSI had forgotten Double Fine was getting into iOS development with Middle Manager of Justice. Following a number of great sim games that fit very well with these mobile platforms, this tasks players with managing superheroes i... more Kinect Party will be free when released next weekDouble Fine's Kinect Party, the game that is going to make your high fives sparkle, is also going to be totally free. A list of upcoming releases on Major Nelson's blog looked like a possible typo, but Double Fine's website confirmed that this Kinect game will be free on December 18, and will remain free for the rest of the year. Got a Kinect? Then you have no excuse. more Kinect Party trailer makes your high fives sparkleThere's a lot of interesting stuff going on in this new Kinect Party trailer, but what I'm most interested in is having sparks come off my high fives with other people. How great is that? I imagine that happening anyway, so ... more Win one of 10 early tickets to Ümloud! this ThursdayIn the Bay Area this Thursday? Come melt your face at San Francisco's DNA lounge for Ümloud!, the annual California fundraiser that benefits Child's Play. Did I mention Tim Schafer, creator of Psychonauts, Grim... more Explore the new trailer from The CaveSega, Double Fine, and Ron Gilbert have sent along their newest trailer for upcoming puzzle action/adventure title The Cave. In it, a talking cave gives us a brief rundown on a few of the seven characters that you'll ch... more Brazen prototype added to Amnesia Fortnight bundleSome of you were very enthusiastic about Double Fine's Amnesia Fortnight bundle, which is essentially the studio's way of giving people the opportunity to check out playable builds of prototypes and also vote on potential pr... more Double Fine opens up voting on its next game prototypesDouble Fine Productions has been pretty vocal about its Amnesia Fortnight prototyping process that ultimately resulted in games like Costume Quest and Iron Brigade. This time, they're going a step further, and you'll have an... more |     Dtoid is... Dale North Editor-in-Chief Jim Sterling Reviews Editor Hamza Aziz Dir. Communications Conrad Zimmerman Managing Editor Jordan Devore PC Editor Andy Dixon Community Manager Rick Olson Dtoid.TV Producer Niero Gonzalez Publisher Editors Meet the team Our sites Flixist Japanator Tomopop Contact Us Suggest News Advertising General Info  |
2:00 PM on 09.08.2012
