NINJA CARNAGE

Publisher: Resistance Released: 2020

When a game asks you, “Tell me, aren’t you some kinda sad retard to still be playing on a CPC?” your attention is most certainly grabbed. Why, yes, yes I am!. I only came on to play a game, and this meta-referential game is firing insults at me.

The premise behind this witty banter is that the player is the influential, guiding voice to Ishikawa Nato, who is on a one-man mission to assassinate a contemptuous Yakuza overlord. This sets the scene for a static, graphical adventure with a varied puzzle-based environment, a plentiful supply of risk to life and at times, demanding quick reflexes. In a nutshell, it’s a trial and error based game, with countless deaths assured for the player.

Although beautifully distracting in the graphical department, the games information all comes down to reading the text and sussing the correct route through the screen — one mistake and you have to retry the particular segment. One of the earlier puzzles the player comes across is how to get across a bridge without being detected. Guards, dogs and falling into the ravine are all hellbent on making to try the level over and over again

— there is only one way to do it correctly. The only means of control is that of a cursor that is moved around the screen, and it changes to green when there is an interactive object/ area — this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s of any use — it may

be a false trail.

The quick action sections, which were en vogue for a short period in modern AAA games, give a welcome break from the clicking of objects. The player must rapidly tap the direction of the arrows on the screen in quick succession to survive the challenge. With a bit of luck and patience, Ishikawa will reach his destiny.

PRESENTATION 80%

Laid out like a basic graphic advenutre. Something a little different but in good way.

GRAPHICS 90%

Well drawn with some lovely effects, especially towards the end. Makes good use of the system’s colour palette.

SOUND 89%

Great, catchy, oriental style in-game soundtrack that fits the Japanese setting perfectly.

ADDICTIVENESS 90%

A game that involves “try, die, repeat” has never been so much fun. You won’t want to put this one down!

LASTABILITY 84%

A decent enough challenge, but over far too quickly.

OVERALL 87%