Xbox 360
Back in 2000 Io Interactive released Hitman: Codename 47 to critical acclaim. Its balance of shooting, sneaking and stripping bodies down to their undies before stealing their uniforms has since been tuned and improved in three sequels. Their other games have been less successful perhaps but still unique and entertaining third person shooters. Now it seems they have decided to try something different... Ninjas!
Small cartoon ninjas no less, jumping around and fighting in a crisp oriental environment. Multiple characters to play, hordes of demon samurai to fight, magic powers and even a cute pet fox who seems to be able to communicate with his oversized eyes. It certainly is a departure from the guns, testosterone of their previous games.
Mini Ninjas looks lovely, bright and cheery countryside outlined in subtly abstract distant mountain ranges. Io have somehow managed to make it all look both natural and spotlessly tidy. It is a neat trick which has left Mini Ninjas looking fresh and open, perfect for keeping a busy action game from getting confusing when things get busy. The ninjas and their samurai enemies, enchanted animals turned shadow warriors, all look great and their black and red armour contrasts perfectly with the forests and meadows.
The game opens with Hiro and Futo on a quest across the land. Hiro is your classic ninja, running, climbing, sneaking and fighting but he also knows a few magic tricks. For example he can possess animals and use their abilities to compliment his own. Perhaps he will use their senses to snuff out some items or simply take control of a bear to terrorise the samurai. If there are no bears handy though Futo should do the trick. About twice the size of Hiro he carries a massive wooden hammer and no doubt employs less subtle tactics when dealing with the opposition. Later the duo are joined by Suzumi who brings further variety to the team. Her weapon of choice is a flute, capable of stopping the animal/samurai in their tracks with it's beautiful music. Alternatively she can spin it round and use it as a blowpipe!
The journey that the ninjas take across their world may be pre-set, this was never supposed to be Grand Theft Feudal Japan after all, but exploration is still a key aspect of Mini Ninjas. Each location in the game and each goal within can be approached in any number of ways. The pretty scenery will lead you round different paths to secret access to strongholds or hidden stashes of goodies. Even rivers won't impede your exploration because Hiro's oversized hat can be used as a makeshift boat!
With its open, inviting setting and its toolbox approach to character abilities Mini Ninjas is reminiscent of some classic games of the last generation. The Zelda games are an obvious touching point, particularly The Wind Waker, also the Sly Cooper PS2 games. It is refreshing to see that style of game coming back, so far this generation they have been notable in their absence. More than that though, the smooth and solid gameplay on display here and the freedom on offer suggests that Mini Ninjas really isn't as far removed from the Hitman series as you might have thought.