Ninja Senki DX (PC) Review

Ninja Senki DX is retro to its very core. From the blotchy pixel art to the minimalist menus, this game feels ripped right out of an arcade cabinet. The quarter-munching difficulty is also intact, though the "just one more try" feeling is as quick to dissipate as the ninjas themselves.

The setup is pretty much the typical retro platformer. There are various platforms and various enemy types. Some of the enemies feel perfectly balanced, such as a Ralph Macchio-type ninja who lobs throwing stars at the player if they are in front of them. Other enemies, like a weird mutant who throws homing fireballs, feel cheaper and somehow unfair, even for this kind of game. Unfortunately, all the enemies in the game follow this black and white style of balance, which makes success feel more like luck than precision. Couple this with generic (within the game and within the genre) boss fights, and the enemies are much more miss than hit.

The controls are, to the opposite end of the spectrum, absolutely perfect. Almost like a high school typing test, every control is mapped to the middle of the keyboard. It might seem dumbed down, but with so few commands to impart to your little ninja, it works perfectly. The controls are also incredibly responsive and tight, which helps give the player a moderate advantage over some of the more unfair opponents.

Artistically, this game is really stunning. While the pixels aren't tight, they are a style all their own. The decision not to go widescreen also feeds the arcade feeling, and the screen is still plenty visible, even with the HUD on the sides. The music also lends to this feeling, but honestly, it feels overwhelming. When navigating the game's few menus, it feels more like a stopwatch timing your descent into the action, instead of getting you pumped and ready to go.

There's not much to the game, and honestly, even for an arcade-style title, it feels like it ends too soon. There's a challenge mode, but it still feels a bit too short. While it definitely sticks to the retro arcade theme, a bit more exploration into the game's simple mechanics would have been wildly invited. Unfortunately, it just abruptly ends and leaves us feeling a bit jilted. Sure, the game has its faults, but it is still worth the time to play if you're a retro arcade fan. Ending it so quickly feels like a missed opportunity.