NINJA CARNAGE

Authors:

Author:

Clive Townsend

Publisher: Cronosoft

Memory: 128K

Released: 2021

Originally released on the Amstrad CPC, Ninja Carnage for the Spectrum has aptly been ported by our very own Clive Towsend. Yes, the very Clive Towsend who gave us the Saboteur series way back in 1985. If there’s anyone who knows more about infiltrating ninjas, then CRASH is yet to meet them.

The player assumes the role of guiding spirit to renowned stealthy combatant Ishikawa Nato, whose mission is to infiltrate the HQ of Yakuza boss Nure-Onna and kill her.

The quest is fraught with danger, puzzles, and on many an occasion, requires quick reflexes. The game itself is a graphical adventure-cum-trial and error challenge. As Ishi’s guide, the player has to ascertain from the text exactly what is going on and click on the correct area on the screen to get the right result.

Failing that, it results in death for our hero, and the player has to retry the sequence. So, for instance, the beginning level presents the player with a gate — clicking on this results in electrocution — so there has to be another way to get around the obstacle. The cursor that can be moved around the screen changes to green when there is an interactive object/area — this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s of any use — it may be a red herring.

There are also many quick-action sections in the game, where the player must quickly press the correct direction in correspondence with arrows that appear on the screen. Failing to do them in a timely fashion also results

in death. Length-wise, don’t be lulled into a false sense of security — the game has two parts to it on either side of the cassette.

CRITICISM

• Ninja Carnage is a lovely graphical alternative to a text adventure. Many of the same principles are there, but instead of a text parser, the player must visually tackle the challenge in front of them. The clues are often in the dialogue, but more often than not, it is trial and error à la Dragon’s Lair.

At least with this game, you aren’t thrown back to the very beginning when you die. The graphics, although static, are splendid and have been very well adapted from the Amstrad version. The music is a jukebox of oriental chiptunes that will be sure to entertain the player as they try to figure out a route to take on each of the levels. A word of warning — the game comes with adult dialogue, with the F and C-word frequently being used — this is not for your kids. I thoroughly enjoyed the fresh feel of the game, and I’ve not played many games like it on the Spectrum. I suspect that it lacks longevity, as once you know the routes to take and the sequence of clicking things, then the challenge is over.

Gordon King

CRITICISM

• A a big fan of the Saboteur games, I was really excited to play this conversion by Mr Townsend. He has done a grand job — the graphics are lovely, the dialogue is... well grown-up, and the story engaging. Where to go next within the adventure is through trial and error — simply carry out an educated click on the screen and hope for the best. This is more fun that it sounds!

Chris Wilkins

COMMENTS

Control keys:

Q, A, O, P, SPACE.

Joystick:

Cursor.

Graphics: Lovely pixelated static scenes.

Sound: Brilliant music and a few sound FX.

General rating: Original, fresh, but lacking longevity.

Use of Computer 80% Graphics: 89% Playability: 85%

Getting started: 82% Addictive Qualities: 81% Overall: 85%