Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master (MD, 1993)
Graphics-8.5 Sound-8 Control-8.5 Challenge-8
Level Design-8 Frustration-8 Fun-8 Originality-6
Overall Score-8
+
Much improved control (wall jumps (can climb one wall combining it with somersaults), dive kicks, dashing etc.)
Fast paced
Horseback and surfing levels (autoscrolling)
Good power up system
Block enemy shots
Simply touching an enemy usually won't hurt you (no touch damage)
Good variation
Ranking system (pretty intricate for the time)
Good bosses overall (not the birdman)
Difficulty and control options
Context sensitive melee attack
Some hidden items
+/-
Some parts are much easier when powered up
-
Lacks some of the atmosphere of the prequel
Some tedious segments (vertical scrolling levels, climbing via the ceiling is pretty slow)
Takes a while to learn somersaulting
One AI bug (Godzilla robot)
Some trial & error (bosses, last level, off-screen enemies (can be shot at from off screen though))
Can't cancel a wall jump (you'll sometimes perform one when trying to somersault and it launches you to the side quite a bit)
A few cheap hits (falling boulder trap)
No dual plane action (over the fence jumping - Revenge of Shinobi, ESWAT)
If you're standing on a platform above where a box is you can't use your shuriken (land mines level)
Barely any difference in challenge between normal and expert for some levels (horseback and surfing)
Level Design-8 Frustration-8 Fun-8 Originality-6
Overall Score-8
+
Much improved control (wall jumps (can climb one wall combining it with somersaults), dive kicks, dashing etc.)
Fast paced
Horseback and surfing levels (autoscrolling)
Good power up system
Block enemy shots
Simply touching an enemy usually won't hurt you (no touch damage)
Good variation
Ranking system (pretty intricate for the time)
Good bosses overall (not the birdman)
Difficulty and control options
Context sensitive melee attack
Some hidden items
+/-
Some parts are much easier when powered up
-
Lacks some of the atmosphere of the prequel
Some tedious segments (vertical scrolling levels, climbing via the ceiling is pretty slow)
Takes a while to learn somersaulting
One AI bug (Godzilla robot)
Some trial & error (bosses, last level, off-screen enemies (can be shot at from off screen though))
Can't cancel a wall jump (you'll sometimes perform one when trying to somersault and it launches you to the side quite a bit)
A few cheap hits (falling boulder trap)
No dual plane action (over the fence jumping - Revenge of Shinobi, ESWAT)
If you're standing on a platform above where a box is you can't use your shuriken (land mines level)
Barely any difference in challenge between normal and expert for some levels (horseback and surfing)