NOT
Doesn’t Feel like Ninja Gaiden
Despite adding a lot of content and trying to make fans happy, Ninja Gaiden 3 Razor’s Edge really doesn’t feel like a Ninja Gaiden title. This is largely due to fast paced combat, which seems to support button mashers over learning proper timing. This is further supported by the lack of weapons, since you don’t really have other options when going into a difficult fight. If this wasn’t bad enough for you, every battle starts you with full health and only penalize you with a lower grade for doing bad. This makes the game a lot easier, since I don’t really need to focus on playing it smart if I don’t care about my ranking. Thankfully Razor’s Edge brings back dismemberment and various other forms of violence and the included DLC adds a few weapons to the mix, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s a “real” sequel.
Why is there Online?
Like several other popular titles looking for something new, Ninja Gaiden 3 Razor’s Edge also features a multiplayer mode. Here you take control of a generic ninja you can customize and slice down other people on various battlegrounds. Unfortunately not many people seem to be playing Razor’s Edge, so the online was pretty limited when I tried it. With that being said, the online certainly seemed well fleshed out, but it doesn’t really stand out from the campaign. Most of the matches will be decided by whomever can dodge more attacks, so everything boils down to teamwork or trying to get the hit you need in. This will quickly feel exactly like the campaign, which is a shame since it could have been a nice change of pace.
Verdict
Ninja Gaiden 3 Razor’s Edge is one of the better titles out for the Wii U, but it’s still not the game we know and loved. The new direction will certainly appeal to fans of popular hack and slash games, but fans will most likely still be turned off. The online also feels tacked on, but the DLC missions and Ayane’s campaign more than make up for it. Long story short, if you want something for your Wii U and always wanted to try Ninja Gaiden 3, then give it a go. If you’re expecting an experience on par or even similar to the first games, you might want to wait till the next one.
[Editor’s Note: Ninja Gaiden 3 Razor’s Edge was reviewed on the Nintendo Wii U platform. The game was provided to us by the publisher for review purposes.]
