Ninja Exorcist Episode 1 (XBLIG): "An Oriental 2D Side-Scrolling Masterpiece!

It's not often that I get psyched about a game to the point that I immediately recommend it before posting my review. In this particular instance I did though . It just so happens that Nebula Game Studio's presented one heck of a game with their own original release of "Ninja Exorcist Episode 1". Immediately when starting up the game I noticed the in-depth attention to detail that the developer had incorporated into the title. Everything from the prologue to the actual gameplay screamed high quality (1080p to be exact). With that being said I did get some errors while playing the game, and had to cut my playthrough short. The good news on that situation though is that the developer has already issued a patch for the game, and it should be coming out soon. This lets me know that the developer actually cares about their product, and the consumer which is always a plus.

Ninja Exorcist Ep.1 is one of those unique video games that actually has it's own mythological backstory going on. While a lot of it is borrowed from Asian lore it still stands alone as a unique story. In this particular tale we have an Asura (Evil Divine Being/God) who has the most beautiful wife (Miya) imaginable. In fact his wife is so beautiful that the gods envy him, and want her for themselves. Plotting in the darkness though is a great dragon who lusts for this otherworldy maiden. He eventually devises a plan to destroy the Asura, and gain his wife Miya for himself. Through a well planned deception the great dragon succeeds in his attempt at killing the Asura, and kidnapping Miya. The tale does not end there though as the great dragon curses the soul of the departed Asura reducing him to a lowly mortal status. After many reincarnations the Asura, now a ninja known as Daigo begins having puzzling visions of his lost love. Just as the visions are coming to him he finds that his clan is in trouble through a friend, and fellow ninja. He then embarks on a journey that will no doubt change his world forever. This event is the prologue to the gameplay, and visual story that follows.

Ninja Exorcist Ep.1 follows the examples of many other 2D platformers before it. Games like the classic "Ninja Gainden", "Castlevania", and even "Metroid" come to mind. In an odd way games like "Tenchu Stealth Assassins" also seem to be an inspiration to the developer. Even though there are several similarities shown throughout the game there are even more unique features displayed. The backgrounds for each stage within the game are amazing works of art that make the game shine in a truly brilliant way. Even the enemies, and Daigo were impressively created with a detailed drawing style I have yet to see in an XBLIG title. In fact Daigo's movements are of higher quality than some you'd see in the "Castlevania", or even "Metroid" series.

When it comes to actual gameplay it is complex but easily understandable. As you play through the initial stage of the game you will find oriental flags, and other items that give you detailed tips on the various controller functions within the game. Even during the loading screens the controller layout is shown to help refresh your memory. Like I mentioned earlier this game borrows a lot from traditional side-scrollers. As with most classic 2D platformers you'll be able to do such things as wall jump, grapple, and attack. When it comes to doing these things though the developer has added their own twist on the genre. In particular you can perform sophisticated attack combos, and even stealth kills. In a way the game is also very similar to RPG side-scrolling games like "Castlevania: SoTN". It features a leveling system, in-menu map, hidden items, upgradeable health, and several obtainable weapons with various strengths/weaknesses. Aside from those things Daigo can also earn new skills as he ranks up in level.

Overall this game is truly a masterpiece. Everything from the game's music score to the artistic details that make it stand out are all presented in an XBLA worthy package. Aside from the visual, and audio aesthetics the game also offers a worthy challenge for any hardcore video game fan to take on. You'll encounter enemies that take more than just a single hit to defeat, and epic bosses that require specific strategies to topple. I'd say there's something here for all video game enthusiasts. If you like admiring the art of a game while dispatching your foes this game definitely offers a noteworthy view. If you like stealth combat, and RPG style 2D platforming then you'll most certainly enjoy this title. Even with the current bugs/glitches this game series holds great promise. In fact I'd say it ranks high up their amongst my "Top 10" favorite indie game titles. If you haven't got this game yet you don't know what you're missing.