Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Ninja Combat delivers a fast-paced, action-packed experience that keeps players on their toes from start to finish. You and a friend can slip into the roles of Joe (Player One) and Hayabusa (Player Two), working in tandem to dispatch waves of Kage Ichizoku ninjas. The core combat loop revolves around throwing shuriken, which can be upgraded into flaming stars for added damage and visual flair. This upgrade system gives you an immediate sense of progression and satisfaction as your attacks become more potent and stylish.

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Beyond shuriken, the game features a variety of melee weapons like axes, swords, and nunchucks. These weapons boost raw damage output at the cost of a slightly reduced attack range, forcing you to balance the trade-offs between power and reach. Speed powerups also appear throughout stages, allowing you to zip across the screen to dodge incoming projectiles or close the gap on fast-moving foes. The pacing rarely slows down, and each new item drop or weapon swap brings fresh tactical considerations.

A standout feature is the special move that propels your ninja across the screen in a blur, damaging every enemy in their path. Timing this dash becomes crucial during frantic encounters, especially when bosses or minibosses flood the screen. On top of that, both characters can unleash a devastating screen-clearing attack that deals heavy damage to bosses but costs a quarter of your life bar. Deciding when to sacrifice health for crowd control adds tension and strategic depth to heated battles.

As you progress, defeated enemies can be recruited to fight alongside you, each bringing unique abilities and playstyles. Some allies are nimble and excel at ranged attacks, while others trade speed for brute strength. Experimenting with different recruits enhances replayability and encourages players to adapt their approaches on the fly. Overall, Ninja Combat’s layered combat mechanics and co-op synergy make it a thrilling martial arts brawler.

Graphics

The visual presentation in Ninja Combat leans into vibrant, high-contrast colors that emphasize the neon glow of the towering Kage Ichizoku fortress against a gritty urban sprawl. Character sprites are well-defined, with fluid animations that capture every mid-air flip, weapon swing, and shuriken toss. The backgrounds shift dynamically as you ascend the giant tower, ranging from rain-slicked streets to candlelit corridors, each stage feeling distinct and memorable.

Special effects play a significant role in amplifying the combat’s impact. Upgraded flaming shuriken leave dazzling trails, and the screen-clear special attack erupts in a swirl of light and particles that feels genuinely powerful. Boss encounters are accompanied by dramatic camera shakes and screen flashes, driving home the sense that you’re facing formidable opponents. Even minor touches—like sparks flying when metal weapons clash—underscore the developers’ attention to detail.

Despite its arcade roots, the game avoids looking dated thanks to crisp sprite work and smooth frame rates. Each character boasts a unique design—Joe’s muscular build and traditional black gi contrast nicely with Hayabusa’s more agile silhouette and colorful headband. Recruitable characters introduce even more visual variety, making it rewarding to see new faces join the fray. Overall, Ninja Combat’s graphics heighten the excitement of every level and boss showdown.

From parallax scrolling backgrounds to layered foreground elements, depth is achieved without compromising readability. Enemies never blend into the scenery, and player characters remain prominently displayed during intense skirmishes. Whether you’re playing on a large TV or a portable display, the art direction ensures that all the action remains clear and engaging.

Story

Ninja Combat’s narrative premise is straightforward yet effective: the Kage Ichizoku clan has erected an imposing tower in the heart of the city, unleashing chaos and threatening civilian safety. You step into the shoes of Joe and Hayabusa, two skilled ninjas determined to dismantle the clan’s sinister plot. While the plot doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it provides a solid framework for the game’s vertical progression and boss battles.

Story beats unfold between stages through brief cutscenes that showcase the partnership—and occasional friendly rivalry—between the two protagonists. Joe’s disciplined, by-the-book approach contrasts with Hayabusa’s more freewheeling style, and their banter adds a touch of personality to the relentless action. Recruitable enemies also contribute short vignettes explaining why they’ve decided to join your cause, lending emotional weight to otherwise faceless foes.

The tower itself serves as a storytelling device, with each floor introducing new traps, environmental hazards, and minibosses that tie into the overarching theme of infiltration and sabotage. While the plot remains linear, optional dialogue snippets and collectible scrolls unlock additional lore, revealing the clan’s mysterious origins and hinting at deeper conspiracies. This layering of backstory motivates completionists to scour every nook and cranny of the tower.

Although Ninja Combat doesn’t aim to be a narrative juggernaut, its pacing and character interplay keep things engaging. The tension ratchets up with each ascent, culminating in a showdown with the clan’s enigmatic leader on the tower’s summit. For players seeking an action-focused adventure with a dash of ninja intrigue, the story delivers just the right amount of context and flair.

Overall Experience

Ninja Combat excels as a cooperative beat-’em-up that balances accessibility with depth. Whether you’re playing solo or teaming up with a friend, the game’s responsive controls and varied move set ensure every encounter feels fresh. The risk-reward system tied to special attacks and life-draining abilities introduces strategic decision-making without slowing down the momentum.

Replay value is high, thanks to multiple playable characters, optional recruitments, and collectible lore items. Speedrunners will appreciate the tight level design and hidden shortcuts, while completionists can chase weapon upgrades and secret techniques. Additionally, the dynamic difficulty scaling adjusts enemy AI and spawn rates based on your performance, catering to both newcomers and genre veterans.

While some players may find the story light on twists, the focus on core gameplay prevents narrative gaps from becoming a distraction. The audio design—pulsing techno beats mixed with traditional Japanese instrumentation—further elevates the atmosphere and keeps energy levels soaring. Boss battles feel appropriately epic, and the variety of enemy types ensures you never fall into a repetitive grind.

In summary, Ninja Combat is a polished, engaging ninja brawler that delivers on its promise of high-octane action. Strong co-op mechanics, vibrant graphics, and a rewarding progression system combine to make this title a must-play for fans of arcade-style beat-’em-ups. Whether you’re scaling the tower for the first time or mastering every recruitable character, Ninja Combat offers hours of satisfying martial arts mayhem.

Retro Replay Score

6/10