Every now and then a game comes out which has the word “fail” stamped all over it and, every now and then, those games actually turn out to be quite good.
Mini Ninjas has that feeling. From its quirky graphics through to its linear game mechanic, it all looks pretty bog standard and uninspiring, but deep down there was something about this game that grabbed me. And within a couple of minutes I found myself quite fond of the world I was in.
It starts off with an old-fashioned animation telling the story of the Evil Samurai Warlord, who was banished long ago, which in turn ushered in an era of peace and tranquillity.
It goes on to explain that his dark castles were abandoned and the villagers no longer lived in fear. Then there were earthquakes, storms and reports of mysterious individuals kidnapping animals and taking them away. It turns out that the Evil Samurai Warlord was returning and building an army – out of the kidnapped wildlife (seriously, did they think we wouldn’t notice them ripping off Doctor Robotnik from Sonic the Hedgehog?).
The Ninja Master sent out his best ninja to investigate, only for him not to return. One by one, he sent another and before long he was left with two – Hiro and Futo.
Initially you take control of Hiro – he is the central character in the game and the only character who can use magic spells. He is quite quick and nimble and comes with a samurai sword. The other character you can control (just by pressing L1), is Futo. Futo is quite a large ninja (and doesn't really live up to the title of a Mini Ninja) and comes with a giant hammer.
The first 30 minutes of the game are taken up with learning skills you will need on you mission. Ranging from magic attacks to fighting formations, it’s clear this game has variety in what it offers.
It works because the controls are so simple. Pressing the square button will attack, holding the R2 button will perform a magic attack and pressing the triangle button will make Hiro or Futo perform a flying attack, when it slows down to bullet time, enabling you to select the villains that you wish to take out.
One of the first things given to you is a giant hat (not kidding here). This hat is used for deflecting arrows and floating in water, and comes in handy through out the game.
The magic skills are also nice touch. There are the bog-standard ones for example – you can fire a flame ball at the enemy. However, one of the more interesting powers the ability to possess one of the many animals running around.
Should you find yourself in a tight spot, you can possess a fox and run for dear life. Failing that you can possess a bear and maul those Samurai Warriors.
The game is linear, so there no running around in an open world trying to solve puzzles. You simply have to get from A to B in whatever manner you deem fit.
Along the way you can fight various samurai warriors, or you can choose to explore your surroundings and find hidden sections that will offer you the chance to upgrade your abilities.
As your progress through the game you have to free the previous ninjas who were sent on the quest before you. This unlocks them as a playable character, with each one presenting their own unique advantage.
You also have the chance to fish for food (whilst floating on your giant hat), where you can catch fish and create sushi, which is then added to your inventory.
Naturally, eating the sushi will partially restore your health – I must eat more sushi.
Graphically, at first Mini Ninjas appears to be rather bland, but upon further inspection, a lot of love has been put into the game. While it is almost certain the game was designed for the younger audience, the environments are beautifully rendered and bring a certain charm that hasn't been seen since the Zelda games on the old Nintendo 64.
With each level the environments differ – snow covered, rivers, castles, woods – all of which bring a nice sense of variety to the game.
But if there is one thing that could be improved, it’s the camera. On occasion it will throw itself into the most inappropriate angle, where you can't see a thing or even begin to grasp what is going on. Not the best of devices when you’re in the middle of a fight.
The music compliments the game perfectly with its eastern-inspired soundtrack, and it rarely becomes repetitive. It adds to the tension, playing a drumbeat whenever the Samurai Warriors are close. The sound also does it job well, whilst not offering anything groundbreaking, the voice acting and sound effects are spot on for the style of game.
The lack of co-op (either online or local), is a strange omission, as Mini Ninjas would have been a great game to play with friends. Having said that, as a single player adventure it is fun, charming and, at roughly 8 hours long, it is appropriate for all to play.
Eidos have done a good job in presenting this game and I wouldn't be surprised if a sequel is in the pipeline.
Verdict: 7.5 out of 10
The Good:
Simple to play
Lots of hidden treasures to find
The Bad
No co-op
Shoddy camera
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