On February 6, 2013, TECMO KOEI announed that Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge, previously a Wii U exclusive, would be released on both the Xbox 360 and the Playstation 3. Developed by Team NINJA, this title follows Ryu Hayabusa as he works against a curse that’s been placed on him, to defeat it before it defeats him.
Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge, available April 5 in both digital and physical format, hosts a set of new, exciting features, including expanded online content, a new game mode, new playable characters, enhanced combat system and enemy AI, and an in-depth skill system.
Of the game, Team NINJA leader Yosuke Hayashi says, “The brutal combat will challenge the hardest of hardcore Ninja Gaiden fans while also rewarding them with tons of bonus content and new features including three playable female characters, new stages, and three times as many Ninja Trial missions.”
Along with a return of the ability to dismember enemies, adding to an already violent series, the game has been reworked entirely to allow for hardcore action gamers to greatly enjoy this release. With the new gameplay mode and online bonuses, with the enemy AI and new combat system, the game aims to challenge those characters. Remove an enemy’s arm, he’ll keep fighting, and as with previous incarnations in the series, playing perfectly (or as close as one can) is necessary to make progress.
Additional characters to use have been added, allowing players to control Ayane, Kasumi, and Momiji. While only Ayane gets air time in the story mode, all three will be playable in the Ninja Trial missions mode and the Chapter Challenge mode, and all will have multiple costumes for players to choose from.
In Chapter Challenge mode, 10 of the game’s chapters, including Ayane’s, are open for players to compete for the highest score they can reach in each chapter. Ryu can wield six weapons in this entry, including new ones like the Jinran-Maru/Blade of the Archfiend dual sword combo, the Kusari-gama, and the Lunar Staff, and additional Ninpo have been added, including the Wind Blades, Inferno, and Piercing Void. The game also includes the Test of Valor challenge, where players can find Crystal Skulls within the levels, and use them to be transported to boss fights from the Ninja Gaiden series.
Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge turns it up a notch with the expansion of its online features, and allows players to use all previously paid-for DLC for Ninja Gaiden 3. The Ninja Skills system works online as well, and players can purchase up to 64 different features for the Unknown Ninja, the character used in online Clan Battles. Five new stages have been added to this play mode, and each supports up to eight total players.
The Ninja Trial mode has been tripled, now a collection of 100 different levels. All of Hayabusa’s weapons are available, allowing for characters to use familiar attacks and strategies, and all four playable characters are available for this mode.
Altogether, with new action, new gameplay modes, more violence, and expanded online, Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge is shaping up to be just what fans of the series need.
