An excellent example of the infamous rogue-like genre
Izuna legend of the unemployed ninja is an excellent example of the rogue-like genre perhaps the most true to for example in a looong time. This hurts it and helps it. Story
What a funny or corky story quite a contrast to the difficulty (I think every review has said something similar to that line) It's not too deep, but some of the npc's have several layers of development that you’ll enjoy unlocking as you progress through the game. Well the initial story begins as your ninja clan gets the boot because there is world peace... doesn't that suck, personally several years ago America and Russia would of been pissed all that money down the drain, hell America probably would be pissed even today. In an attempt to find a new life Grandboss the leader of this ninja troupe decides to find a small village to settle down in, Izuna, her sister and what Izuna considers her slave (because she believes him to be a loser) travel with grandboss. However the troupe angers the gods and wouldn't ya know in classic pagan tradition curse everybody. Now it's up to Izuna to save her ninja troupe and inadvertently the town from the curse['s]. The story isn't deep, but it's funny and that’s enough for it to make you want to keep on playing, props to Atlas for the localization and does every game need a fan service such as the infamous picture on the main site. Difficulty
I'll be damned if I told you, you wouldn't stop playing after a death or two, you may want to cool off after loosing some sort of super weapon you invested lots of money into. It difficulty is hard to explain. In truth it's moderately difficult, but like a cold day the wind chill factor can make the day seem a lot colder, this wind chill factor being dying. Dying in this game robs you of all your loot, that includes weapons and armor. Even your money goes as well. This can make the game to hard to handle if you grow attached to a certain weapon and didn't equip a Kikan talisman (talismans will be explained in the battle system section). The difficulty is probably the largest reason one can classify this game as old school... ever play rogue or other ancient rogue-likes? Game play
Hard as hell, if your not careful. I should first mention the game pretty much gives you a fast forward function, that’s a good move lets you kill a lot of the monotony that often comes with dungeon crawlers. There are several dungeons in the game they consistently get longer and much harder as you progress. They are also randomly generated and have plenty of traps so each dungeon isn’t as straightforward as one may hope or not-hope depending on the person.
If your unfamiliar with rogue-like games each floor of the dungeon is set up like a grid every time you move or perform an action so do all the enemies. Considering this more often than not you should carefully consider your moves when nearing multiple enemies, you DO NOT want to get surrounded if you do there’s no such thing as a recommended level and with some enemies having the ability to seal your ability to use talismans your a goner. Talismans, for 60% of the game I felt they were mildly useless, over train your way to victory that was my motto, but by the fifth dungeon your going to learn using them how to use them for tactical advantage. Not necessarily using them, but equipping them. A Kikan (allowing to escape a dungeon instantly... also the only way to escape a dungeon aside of dying) can be equipped onto a weapon to send it to the storehouse if you die. I don't care what master plan you have for your favorite weapon equip it on the weapon there’s no plan with no weapon enough said. Also the ten'i is a useful talisman that will randomly teleport you to anywhere on the floor use it wisely it will save your life. Ok the healing items. They are very important. They heal you and they save your ass. Keep in mind not to go into a dungeon with loads of them you might die with several of them on you and you loose them, keep care to store them and take them out when you need them.
The weapon customization in this game involves some guy you pay sh$% loads of money to make it so your weapon increases it's sp that allows it to hold more powerful talismans thus leading you to become far more effective and have a much better chance in later game dungeons. This is a tough game most of your money will go into this don't be afraid to blow all your money it's expected that you farm and grind a lot. Graphics
A few might consider this the worst part of the game... there graphic whores... ok maybe not. The graphics are very outdated, but this game is low budget and you know that from the start. The graphics are classic snes 16 bit. You know what that looks like, it doesn't look good, but it's manageable and at least wasn't half assed.
The dungeons all look different, but every floor looks the same this for the most part isn't good, but they all look different and generally nice, but 10 or 20 floors of the same background can kill the magic
There are plenty of enemies quite a few are dungeon specific and give good life to each dungeon, you learn which enemies to hate, which ones to run from and which ones to completely wreck they all look like individuals and that’s really nice.
Now the portraits of the characters are an extreme contrast to the 16-bit world, they are top-notch anime driven. They alone show the emotions and feelings of the characters... more often funny emotions, but still emotions. It should quickly be mentioned that the talisman graphics are pretty nice... just mentioning.... Sound
The sound in this game is actually pretty good. The dungeon music is enjoyable to hear and doesn’t disturb your focus and thoughts.
There are even a few sound bites. They’re in Japanese, but this is a low budget game and it's nice to have a little culture. All in all it's as much as you would hope for in a low budget game so there’s no complaints, but then again there’s no astounding praise. Value
If you rush this game expect 15-20 extremely difficult hours which is decent for a portable. If you’re a rogue-like fan expect a lot more. Grinding isn't as boring as it may seem and after you beat the game there is a 100-flor dungeon... tradition old school style. You start it at level 1and have no access to items. If your not a rogue-like fan don't even bother you'll lose your mind when you hit floor 88 and die "tear".
Unfortunately there are not side events to speak of and the game really could of used them, un less your like me and helped sell the game by telling people there’s a Bobbie mini-game... which there is... i promise keep on looking Top screen
There isn't any activity up her but it's used very well. The map, dialogue, your health, money, experience is all easy to see thus it isn't cluttering the bottom screen. To be honest they couldn't have used it any better Tilt
I a rogue-like fan feel this is a great example of what a rogue-like is. It isn't going to attract any fps fans or action adventure fans, but it may drag some dungeon crawler fans one step deeper to their more patient and difficult brother genre.
Props for Atlas for bringing this over a fine example of what a rogue-like game is
Pros
-Simple and difficult game play that will test your patients and skill
-Funny story with funny characters that may even make you laugh out loud, that’s right no dame contractions here
-Fun and simple weapon system and talisman system
-Randomly created dungeons (very smart idea)
-Rogue-like fans will love
Cons
-Difficult and frustrating game play will turn some people off to the game entirely.
-Very simple story someone who's looking for a deep multiple layered story won't find it here, but hey it's a portable
-Graphics aren't exactly up to date with today’s standards even if this is old school they probably could have done much better
-None dungeon crawler fans will more than likely hate it.
Well after 2 hours I’ve edited this enough and I’m very tired, I wanted to give this game a fair review (also help it's score on gamespot) and hopefully let people know if they want this game or not, hopefully the earlier.