It may not be the best action game out there but this charming adventure is fun for all ages.
THE GOOD
-Fun combat system
-Superb graphics and sound
THE BAD
-Camera has some issues
OVERVIEW
Cute and lovable probably aren't the first adjectives that come to mind when describing a ninja. The family friendly warriors presented in this game might look like adorable little children but don't be fooled because these heroes are also highly skilled martial artists that can hold their own in a fight. This is good news because an evil Wizard has returned to take over the world and is creating a large samurai army by using forbidden Kuji magic to transform innocent animals into mindless soldiers. Meanwhile back on Ninja Mountain, the wise Ninja Master has almost run out of heroes to deal with this problem and bring balance and peace back into the world. All but two warriors are left; Hiro and Futo. Hiro and Futo are likable characters but are way under experienced compared to the others in the clan. Although rather reluctant, the good Sansei knows that these two rookies are there only hope, so he sends them both on a heroic quest to rescue their friends and stop the Evil Wizard. Overall, the story is pretty good with some lighthearted dialog and fun supporting cast of characters. The game is filled with crazy antics, plenty of combat and charm that you just don't see to often in these types of games.
GAMEPLAY
This fun action adventure comes complete with a cute story, engaging battles and a fairly large world to explore. You start off with Hiro and Futo but as you find their friends, you'll unlock more playable characters to be summoned at anytime. Each character comes equipped with different skill sets which can be useful in the right circumstances. For example, to handle those larger mini-bosses you'll have to call on Futo to use his mighty strength to overcome their durable armor. Each character was fun to play with initially however, because certain abilities (like using power Kuji) are available to only Hiro, you'll end up using him for most of the game.
A large percentage of the combat in this game relies on button mashing the X (main attack), Y (stun/powerful attack) and A (jump) buttons. However, there are a few other talents at your disposal to keep the fighting from getting too repetitive. Aside from using your weapon there are some outrageous Kuji magic spells to cast like Fireball, Tornado and Wall of Wind. Plus, since you're a ninja the element of surprise is always a great advantage to you which is why you have the ability to perform sneak attacks. The enemy will have a difficult time detecting you and these hidden stabs grant you a bonus in damage as well. There are plenty of extra secondary weapons to aid you in your journey which include shurikens, bombs and caltrops. All in all the combat system is fun and gives you many different ways to defeat enemies barreling down at you.
Red, blue and yellow colored orbs are emitted when you defeat enemies or free caged animals. The red spheres grant Hiro with the ability to unleash multiple powerful attacks by pressing and holding the Y button. When activated, time will pause and you'll be prompted to select a certain number of targets within range. When you're done with your selection the game resumes and a computer controlled Hiro takes out each adversary with a single blow. The blue orbs replenish your Ki which is used to summon those powerful Kuji abilities. Lastly, the yellow glowing balls fill up your experience meter. When your character levels up you'll earn predetermined boosts in either health, Ki and even enhancements to some of your abilities. It's a simple leveling system but it does give the gameplay some added depth; which is a nice touch. All that to pretty much say that it is highly advantageous and rewarding to rescue animals and fight as many opponents as you can.
The controls compliment the action fairly well. The auto targeting feature wasn't perfect but it did a decent job ensuring that more hits landed instead of flailing around at nothing. Targeting ranged attacks took some practice at first but then after a few hours of playing I found it fairly easy to aim my arrows or summoned magic in the right direction. If you ever get lost or side tracked while doing some exploration, which I did a few times, the Kuji spirits are there to help guide the way with a simple click of the up-arrow on the D-pad.
All the action in Mini Ninjas is presented in the third person perspective. The left analog stick controls your movements while the right stick let's you freely position the camera where ever you want. I did notice on many occasions though that the camera ended up hindering my view, especially in tight corridors, which meant that my character took plenty of unnecessary damage simply because I couldn't see my opponent in time.
Now grant it, most of your time will be devoted to using your martial arts to dispatch enemies. However, this game also gives you the option to do plenty of exploration in your down time. The level design is wonderfully created and rich in hidden secrets. It was really nice to have the option to take a break from the fast paced combat, take in the artistic view, collect rare plants used to make various potions and partake in some more relaxing type activities like fishing.
GRAPHICS & SOUND
The artistic environment is well developed and really makes the game look like it's set in feudal Japan. From the intricate architecture to the lush forests and serene bodies of water, there are plenty of memorable views to take in as you progress through the game. The incredible level design made it easy to set aside some extra hours devoted exclusively to exploration.
The soundtrack for the game incorporates all the elements that you would expect for a story that takes place in the rustic rural towns of Japan well before the modern era. The music completely fits with the theme and is actually quite soothing to listen to. When you action picks up the tone becomes more exhilarating and the sound effects really shine was well. The rest of the voice work is actually quite cute and funny. I got a good laugh out of the enemies screaming the words "Ninja!" in a high pitched screech.
CONCLUSION
Mini Ninjas is an adorable and family friendly adventure. The combat system may require some excessive button mashing but with plenty of unlockable skills and characters, the fighting ends up being quite satisfying. This game really shines with it's artistic presentation and well crafted musical score. I would recommend Mini Ninjas to just about anyone that's either looking for a fun beat'em up type experience with an added sense of exploration. Mini Ninjas is a charming new addition to the action adventure genre and is a game that's just plain fun.