ok on the front cover...it says
WORLD EXCLUSIVE XBOX REVIEW
NINJA GAIDEN
WE WENT TO JAPAN! To be the first on the planet to play Tecmo's astounding blood-splattered ninjafest to the end!Wattaaaaaaah!
Then on page 47
Its got 5 screenshots one is ryu vs. some three toothed horned thing...one ryu against a worm...one close up of blonde chick...One of demon ladie...One with ryu fighting with some sycle weapons against some baraka type enemies...
Ok the review now
If Team Ninja's dalliance in volleyball was to show the world that its talents went beyond fighting games, then its action-adventure title Ninja Gaiden is proof positive that its time away from brawlers has been time well spent. AEmphatically, Ninja Gaiden makes its case as the action game to beat, a testament to the titles beauty, depth, and playablity.
As Ryu Hayabusa, you are set on a path to avenge your clans destruction at the hands of the Vigor Empire. During an extensive journey that sends you to Hell and back, you'll encounter allies in the mysterious Rachel and messenger (and DOA mainstay) Ayane.
As you begin the game, your offense consists merely of a katana and unlimited shurikens. As you run, jump, roll, and flip through the game, making your way past brutal swarms of fast moving enemies (no shuffling zombtards here) and some of the most insane boss encounters ever seen, you'll slowly but surely beef up your srsenal with brutal new weapons.
Besides a selection of swords (some can be found, others can be purchased and upgraded from in-game merchant Muramasa). Ryu will also find nunchuks, bows and arrows, a massaive throwing star, exploding shurikens, a giant warhammer, a Vigoor flail (lethal twin sickles), a harpoon gun, and a few other nifty unlockable surprises. And then there's the wide array of imposing, elemental "ninpo" attacks.
At nearly every step of the way awaits a wuartet of beautifully rendered hostiles upon which to unleash your wrath. Enemies come in all shapes and sizes via land, sea, and air, making life more difficult than you can imagine. THankfully, Ryu-no cheerleader for stealth operations-is prepped at all times for maximum combat, and this is where Ninja Gaiden shines. While button mashers can eke their way through the game, gamers who lean the ins and outs of each weapons deep move set will find a much more rewarding experience. As your proficiency grows, and as you upgrade each weapons, youll eventually turn Ryu into a killing machine. Heads will roll, literally.
When you learn to use the enviroments for maximum effect (wall running, char-up movies, back flips off pillars, ect.) the game takes on a visceral, electrifying quality, Ryu's capabitilities are as deep and complex as those of any soul calibur 2 character. And in 16 enormous levels packed with puzzles, action, secrets, gamers will find Ninja Gaiden to be a high-impact experience from its tragic opening to its satisfying, bittersweet curtain call.
If the game stumbles anywhere, its in its few cut-and-paste ovjectives(e.g.find the key, unlock the door.) and leven designs so ambitious, its often difficult to keep ones bearing. But when you consider Ninja Gaiden's sheer thrill power, combined with the fact that its the best-looking videogame around, these are only minor gripes.
While it might intimidate casual gamers, the hardcore will eat this up. Ninja Gaiden is the work of developers at the peak of their powers and is, pound for pound, light yearsbeyond anything else in the category.
END OF REVIEW
except for the live feature excerpt
They gave it a 9/10
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