The beauty of the gameplay here, much like in the original, is that the design values and rewards above all else intentional and considered actions on the part of the player. If the player is unwilling to meet the specific type of challenge that this game is creating, or are expecting the game to be something that it is not, then they're going to have a rough time.

In Shadow of the Ninja, you're not a hacking and slashing maniac bouncing around mashing buttons. You're a ninja, your every move is carefully considered and executed with intention. Your enemies are very well designed and behave in ways that can be exploited or avoided. Once you become observant of what is happening around you and act with intention, jumps that perhaps felt awkward at first now reveal the graceful finesse of their design in carrying out your attacks. Once you begin to really observe your enemies and surroundings, areas where you have failed many times before will become just a walk through your living room.

The great strength of Shadow of the Ninja Reborn is in its consistency in applying a very purposeful vision for design in 2D movement and action gameplay that greatly rewards players who engage with it. Any frustration one might feel in failing to its difficulty are just in feeling frustrated at one's own dexterity and coordination, as the game's design is so admirably fair. Any time I ever fell to my death or got knocked off a ledge by an enemy shot, I never had the feeling that the game had dealt a cheap shot, I only knew that I had been punished by being too hasty or unobservant.

Truly a masterclass in game design, which combined with the beautiful visuals and incredible music make for an unforgettable challenge.

The beauty of the gameplay here, much like in the original, is that the design values and rewards above all else intentional and considered actions on the part of the player. If the player is unwilling to meet the specific type of challenge that this game is creating, or are expecting the game to be something that it is not, then they're going to have a rough time. In Shadow of the Ninja, you're not a hacking and slashing maniac bouncing around mashing buttons. You're a ninja, your every move is carefully considered and executed with intention. Your enemies are very well designed and behave in ways that can be exploited or avoided. Once you become observant of what is happening around you and act with intention, jumps that perhaps felt awkward at first now reveal the graceful finesse of their design in carrying out your attacks. Once you begin to really observe your enemies and surroundings, areas where you have failed many times before will become just a walk through your living room. The great strength of Shadow of the Ninja Reborn is in its consistency in applying a very purposeful vision for design in 2D movement and action gameplay that greatly rewards players who engage with it. Any frustration one might feel in failing to its difficulty are just in feeling frustrated at one's own dexterity and coordination, as the game's design is so admirably fair. Any time I ever fell to my death or got knocked off a ledge by an enemy shot, I never had the feeling that the game had dealt a cheap shot, I only knew that I had been punished by being too hasty or unobservant. Truly a masterclass in game design, which combined with the beautiful visuals and incredible music make for an unforgettable challenge.