Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge

Last updated
Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge
Ninja Gaiden 3 RE box artwork.jpg
Developer(s) Team Ninja
Publisher(s)
Director(s) Fumihiko Yasuda
Hidehiko Nakajima
Producer(s) Yosuke Hayashi
Takanori Goshima
Designer(s) Motoi Tanahashi
Hiroyuki Nishi
Makoto Ishizuka
Programmer(s) Shuhei Shiota
Shuhei Sato
Artist(s) Masahiro Nose
Kenichiro Nakajo
Nozomu Sugiyama
Writer(s) Masato Kato
Composer(s) Takumi Saito
Ryo Koike
Hiroaki Takahashi
Series Ninja Gaiden
Platform(s)
ReleaseWii U
  • NA: November 18, 2012
  • JP: December 8, 2012
  • EU: January 11, 2013
  • AU: May 11, 2013
PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
  • NA: April 2, 2013
  • JP: April 4, 2013
  • EU: April 5, 2013
  • AU: April 11, 2013
Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One
  • WW: June 10, 2021
Genre(s) Action-adventure, hack and slash
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge [lower-alpha 1] is a 2012 action adventure hack and slash game developed by Team Ninja and published by Nintendo. It was released for the Wii U from November 2012 to May 2013, and subsequently released by Tecmo Koei for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in April 2013. It is an enhanced port of Ninja Gaiden 3 that includes all downloadable content from the original title, as well as additional enhancements made to improve the game. The game can be considered an equivalent to the Ninja Gaiden Sigma games, as it makes several changes to the original title.

Contents

This version of the game was released for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One, as part of the Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection on June 10, 2021. [1]

Gameplay

A promotional screenshot showing the cooperative gameplay mode with Ryu and Ayane Ninja Gaiden 3 Razor's Edge gameplay.jpg
A promotional screenshot showing the cooperative gameplay mode with Ryu and Ayane

The players can now use the Wii U GamePad's unique touchscreen to select different weapons, perform Ninpo, view additional game information and more. Decapitation and dismemberment from previous titles return, and an optional mode with touchscreen controls similar to that of Dragon Sword is available. Many gameplay elements from Ninja Gaiden 2 were borrowed and implemented in Razor's Edge, while some elements from the original Ninja Gaiden 3 were discarded or completely remade, such as Steel on Bone being a grab counter chain and no longer requiring button spam, and the Kunai Climbing being much faster and easier to perform. Many other gameplay mechanics from Ninja Gaiden II were implemented in Razor's Edge.

Additional features include new exclusive weapons such as the Lunar Staff, Kusarigama and Dual Katanas, improved AI, and new enemy types, new battle areas and alternative costumes. The "Karma Counter" from previous games was brought back, now with enhanced features and bonuses. An upgrade menu was implemented which allowed players to spend their Karma points to enhance their weapons, Ninpo spells, and character traits, such as health bar length and special moves.

The game features online cooperative gameplay mode, with new playable characters, such as the female ninja Ayane, was revealed in a preview of the game at the Nintendo of America Wii U press conference in New York. She has her own set of moves, similar to her Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 iteration, with additional cutscenes produced for her added role. A new Chapter Challenge mode allows the player to control Ayane, as well as additional DLC characters Kasumi and Momiji, in any part of the game. [2] [3]

Plot

The game stars the elite master ninja of the previous titles, Ryu Hayabusa. Like the original, the events of Razor's Edge takes place after the events of Ninja Gaiden II . This time around it also features a separate storyline for Ryu's kunoichi ally, Ayane, who stars in her own set of unique missions in Razor's Edge that involve the return of the Black Spider Clan.

Development and release

The game was announced at E3 2011 as a launch title for the Wii U. [4] Outside Japan, Razor's Edge was published by Nintendo, making it the company's third title to be rated M by the ESRB after previous titles Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem and Geist . It was the first game to receive an R18+ classification in Australia after the rating was introduced in the country. [5] Downloadable content includes both Kasumi (from the Dead or Alive series) and Momiji as playable characters, available for free. [6] On February 6, 2013, Tecmo Koei Europe announced the game would be also released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. [7]

Reception

The game received more positive reviews than its predecessor, but overall reception was still largely mixed or average. An early version of the game was well received by Mitch Dyer of IGN, who wrote that it makes "massive strides toward becoming the game Team Ninja clearly wishes it was on 360 and PS3 earlier this year. [Yosuke] Hayashi and his team clearly took the negative criticism and hardcore fan backlash to heart – and they deserve a second chance." [21] IGN's review by Ryan McCaffrey stated "it's fantastic to see this kind of hardcore gamer's game on a Nintendo console – and at the Wii U's launch, no less – and you can forget much of what you may have heard about the original release of this game." [17] On the other hand, Kevin VanOrd from GameSpot wrote: "It's harder and more varied than its original release, but Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge doesn't reach the greatness of its forebears." [15] Likewise, Eurogamer's Martin Robinson wrote: "This is a better game than Ninja Gaiden 3, and one that does commendable things in atoning for Team Ninja's past sins - but sadly it's far from a brilliant one." [12] Jim Sterling from Destructoid gave it 5.5 out of 10, writing: "Nothing this Wii U release does can improve upon the core gameplay, which remains as dry, disaffected, and banausic as ever before. Razor's Edge gives us more, but when the original serving exceeded that which the player could stomach, 'more' isn't a very tasty prospect." [11]

Related Research Articles

Ninja Gaiden is a media franchise based on action video games by Tecmo featuring the ninja Ryu Hayabusa as its protagonist. The series was originally known as Ninja Ryukenden in Japan. The word "gaiden" in the North American Ninja Gaiden title means "side story" in Japanese. The original arcade version, first two Nintendo Entertainment System games and Game Boy game were released as Shadow Warriors in PAL regions. As of 2008, the series has shipped over 7.7 million copies.

Dead or Alive (DOA) is a media franchise based on a fighting game series developed by Team Ninja and published by Tecmo. It is primarily composed of fast-paced fighting games that began with the original Dead or Alive in 1996. The series received critical and universal acclaim with the sequels Dead or Alive 2 in 1999 and Dead or Alive 3 in 2001, which are both considered landmark titles. Dead or Alive is the creation of Tomonobu Itagaki, who developed the first four installments but has since left the company and is no longer working on the series, which continues without him.

Kasumi (<i>Dead or Alive</i>) Dead or Alive character

Kasumi is a fictional character and the protagonist of the Dead or Alive fighting game series by Team Ninja and Tecmo. Kasumi has served as the lead character of the Dead or Alive franchise since its premiere in 1996. She was a main character in the first, second and fifth games of the series and in the film DOA: Dead or Alive.

<i>Ninja Gaiden 3</i> 2012 video game

Ninja Gaiden 3 is a 2012 action adventure hack and slash game developed by Team Ninja and published by Tecmo Koei. It is the sequel to Ninja Gaiden II and was released worldwide for the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360 in March. An updated version titled Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge was released later that year, originally published by Nintendo for the Wii U, and later ported to multiple platforms.

<i>Ninja Gaiden</i> (2004 video game) 2004 video game

Ninja Gaiden is an action adventure hack and slash video game developed by Team Ninja and published by Tecmo for the Xbox. It was released in March 2004. Set in the futuristic version of the 21st century, players control Ryu Hayabusa, a master ninja, in his quest to recover a stolen sword and avenge the slaughter of his clan. It was inspired by Tecmo's Ninja Gaiden series, and is set in the same continuity as Team Ninja's Dead or Alive fighting games.

<i>Ninja Gaiden</i> (NES video game) 1988 video game

Ninja Gaiden, released in Japan as Ninja Ryūkenden and as Shadow Warriors in Europe, is an action-platform video game developed and published by Tecmo for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Its development and release coincided with the beat 'em up arcade version of the same name. It was released in December 1988 in Japan, in March 1989 in North America, and in August 1991 in Europe. It has been ported to several other platforms, including the PC Engine, the Super NES, and mobile phones.

<i>Ninja Gaiden II</i> 2008 video game

Ninja Gaiden II is a 2008 action adventure hack and slash game developed by Team Ninja and published by Microsoft Game Studios for the Xbox 360. It is the sequel to the 2004 title Ninja Gaiden, making it the second 3D title in the series of the same name, and was released worldwide in June 2008. A reimagined and heavily altered version, titled Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 was released for the PlayStation 3 later in 2009, and was published by Tecmo Koei, followed by Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus for the PlayStation Vita in 2013.

<i>Sega Superstars Tennis</i> 2008 sports video game

Sega Superstars Tennis is a sports video game developed by Sumo Digital and published by Sega. It is the second title in the Sega All-Stars series, preceded by Sega Superstars (2005), and crosses over characters, locations, and soundtracks from several Sega franchises, including Sonic the Hedgehog, Space Channel 5, and Super Monkey Ball.

<i>Bayonetta</i> (video game) 2009 video game

Bayonetta is a 2009 action-adventure game developed by PlatinumGames and published by Sega. It was released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in Japan in October 2009, and in North America and Europe in January 2010. It was released on Wii U in September 2014, Windows in April 2017, Nintendo Switch in February 2018, and PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in February 2020.

<i>Mini Ninjas</i> 2009 video game

Mini Ninjas is a 2009 action-adventure game developed by IO Interactive and published by Eidos Interactive for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360. A Mac OS X version of the game was released on July 8, 2010, by Feral Interactive. In December 2011, it was announced that the game would be also made available as a browser game for Google Chrome.

<i>Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2</i> 2009 video game for PlayStation 3

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, stylized as Ninja Gaiden Σ2, is a port of the 2008 Xbox 360 video game Ninja Gaiden II, and was developed by Team Ninja exclusively for the PlayStation 3 in 2009. It includes the entirety of the original story mode as well as various changes to the game's design, along with updated textures and a 720p resolution. The game changes Ninja Gaiden II in a similar, but not identical way to how Ninja Gaiden Sigma changed the original Ninja Gaiden. A port for the PlayStation Vita, titled Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus, was released in 2013.

<i>Puss in Boots</i> (video game) 2011 video game

Puss in Boots is an action game based on the film of the same name. It was developed by Blitz Games Studios, and released by THQ for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii and Nintendo DS. It features support for Kinect and PlayStation Move on the respective platforms.

<i>Rayman Legends</i> 2013 video game

Rayman Legends is a platform video game developed by Ubisoft Montpellier and published by Ubisoft. It is the fifth main title in the Rayman series and the direct sequel to the 2011 game Rayman Origins. The game was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U, and PlayStation Vita platforms in August and September 2013. PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions were released in February 2014, with a Stadia version released in November 2021. A Nintendo Switch port, titled Rayman Legends Definitive Edition, was released in North America, Europe and Australia on September 12, 2017.

<i>Cloudberry Kingdom</i> 2013 platforming video game

Cloudberry Kingdom is a platform game created by Pwnee Studios. The game uses a set of algorithms developed by Jordan Fisher to create procedurally generated levels that can be adaptive to player skill level, in game character abilities, and alteration of game physics.

<i>Just Dance 4</i> 2012 video game

Just Dance 4 is a 2012 music rhythm game developed and published by Ubisoft as the fourth main installment of the Just Dance series. Announced at E3 2012 by Flo Rida and Aisha Tyler, it was released on the Wii, the Wii U, the PlayStation 3, and the Xbox 360. The Wii, PlayStation Move and Kinect versions were released on October 2, 2012 in Europe and Australia and on October 9, 2012 in North America, The Wii U version was released on November 18, 2012 in North America and on November 30, 2012 in Europe and Australia, as a launch title for the console.

<i>Angry Birds Trilogy</i> 2013 video game series

Angry Birds Trilogy is a video game co-developed by Rovio Entertainment, Exient Entertainment, Housemarque, and Fun Labs and published by Activision.

<i>Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z</i> 2014 video game

Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z is an action adventure hack and slash game, and a spin-off of the Ninja Gaiden franchise. It was published by Tecmo Koei and developed by Spark Unlimited. Comcept's Keiji Inafune conceptualized the game, providing character designs and creating the character of Yaiba. The game was released for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Microsoft Windows worldwide in March 2014.

<i>Young Justice: Legacy</i> 2013 video game

Young Justice: Legacy is an action-adventure video game developed by Freedom Factory Studios and published by Little Orbit. It was released in November 2013 for Nintendo 3DS, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. The game is based on the Young Justice animated television series, and takes place in the five-year gap between seasons one and two, and was developed in collaboration with the writers of the series, Greg Weisman and Brandon Vietti. Originally the game was planned to also be released on Nintendo DS, Wii, and Wii U, but the developers announced that these versions were cancelled due to quality issues and low interest from retailers.

<i>Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate</i> 2013 video game

Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate is a fighting game in the Dead or Alive series, developed by Team Ninja, and released by Tecmo Koei for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in September 2013. It was followed by an Arcade edition later in 2013. It is the first arcade game to be released by Koei Tecmo since Dead or Alive 2 Millenium in 2000.

References

  1. ↑ Japanese: 忍者龍剣伝3:剃刀の刃, Hepburn: Ninja Ryūkenden Surī: Kamisori no ha
  1. ↑ "Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection announced for PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC". Gematsu. February 17, 2021. Archived from the original on February 17, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  2. ↑ Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge Trailer Shows Playable Ayane Archived 2016-01-15 at the Wayback Machine , Siliconera, September 13, 2012.
  3. ↑ Ayane leaps out of the shadows into Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge... and you can play as her! Archived 2016-03-05 at the Wayback Machine , ScrewAttack.com, 9/14/12.
  4. ↑ Onyett, Charles (June 7, 2011). "E3 2011: Batman, Assassin's Creed and More Coming to Wii U" . Retrieved 25 October 2012.[ dead link ]
  5. ↑ "Australian Govt Classification Board Media Release". iGEA. 2013-01-11. Archived from the original on 2013-06-20. Retrieved 2013-06-26.
  6. ↑ George, Richard (December 5, 2012). "New Ninja Gaiden Wii U DLC Revealed". Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
  7. ↑ Fletcher, JC (February 6, 2013). "Ninja Gaiden 3 Razor's Edge coming to PS3 and Xbox [update: confirmed - April 2]". Archived from the original on 7 February 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  8. ↑ "Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge for Wii U Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 2013-04-30. Retrieved 2013-06-26.
  9. ↑ "Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge for PlayStation 3 Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 2019-04-27. Retrieved 2013-06-26.
  10. ↑ "Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge for Xbox 360 Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 2013-03-08. Retrieved 2013-06-26.
  11. 1 2 on November 13, 2012 12:00PM PST (2012-11-13). "Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge Review". Destructoid.com. Archived from the original on 2013-05-15. Retrieved 2013-06-27.
  12. 1 2 Robinson, Martin (2013-01-11). "Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge review • Reviews • Wii U •". Eurogamer.net. Archived from the original on 2013-06-28. Retrieved 2013-06-26.
  13. ↑ "Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge Review". Gamerevolution.com. Archived from the original on 2013-02-12. Retrieved 2013-06-26.
  14. ↑ "Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge (X360/PS3) Review". Gamerevolution.com. Archived from the original on 2013-05-09. Retrieved 2013-06-26.
  15. 1 2 on November 19, 2012 7:44PM PST (2012-11-18). "Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge Review". GameSpot.com. Archived from the original on 2013-06-27. Retrieved 2013-06-26.
  16. ↑ "Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge review". GamesRadar. 13 November 2012. Archived from the original on 2013-10-30. Retrieved 2013-06-26.
  17. 1 2 Ryan McCaffrey (13 November 2012). "Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge Review - IGN". IGN. Archived from the original on 10 December 2019. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  18. ↑ "Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge review". Official Nintendo Magazine. Archived from the original on 2013-07-04. Retrieved 2013-06-26.
  19. ↑ "Official XBOX Magazine | Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge review". Oxmonline.com. 2013-04-18. Archived from the original on 2013-07-09. Retrieved 2013-06-26.
  20. ↑ MJTH (2013-01-09). "Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge Review". VideoGamer.com. Archived from the original on 2013-06-02. Retrieved 2013-06-26.
  21. ↑ Mitch Dyer, TGS: Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge Repairs Past Mistakes | Violet violence. Archived 2013-01-26 at archive.today , IGN, September 19, 2012
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.