Ninja Battle

Game Details:

In this title, the combat is fast-paced and intense. Unlike traditional beat 'em ups, this game places a greater emphasis on ranged thrown weapons. Players start with an unlimited supply of shurikens or kunai to throw. The game's art style is a rich blend of early '90s cyberpunk and fantasy ninja aesthetics.

As the story progresses, after defeating certain stage bosses (like Musashi and Kagerow), these characters will have a change of heart and join the player's side, becoming playable characters. This "defeat and recruit" mechanic was very innovative for its time. Each character has unique attack patterns and special moves (Ninjutsu), but using Ninjutsu consumes the player's health. Therefore, a delicate balance must be struck between resource management and pure action gameplay.

Game Guide:

Fight from a Distance:

Although this is an action game, you play more like a "shooter." Enemy attacks have very generous hitboxes and they often appear in groups, so rushing in blindly will get your health bar depleted in no time. Kiting enemies with your infinite shurikens and picking them off from the edge of the screen is the safest strategy.

The Power of Charged Attacks:

Holding down the attack button allows you to charge up and unleash a powerful projectile wave or a spinning attack. When facing elite enemies with high defense, a charged attack can stagger them.

Use Ninjutsu Wisely:

Ninjutsu (activated by pressing A+B or a specific key combo) is a major source of screen-clearing damage, but it comes at the cost of your own health. When you're surrounded by enemies with no way to escape, use Ninjutsu decisively as a "panic button." You'll lose some health, but it's a much better trade than getting killed by a combo.

Leverage Character Traits:

As you progress through the stages, it's recommended to try out newly recruited characters. For example, some characters have a wider attack range, while others have faster movement speed. When facing the final boss, the "Shadow Shogun," using a character's long-range dash attack can help you effectively dodge his deadly spell bombardments.

Environmental Interaction:

Stages contain many destructible objects (like barrels and crates) that hide food to restore health or items that increase your score. Before moving to the next area, make sure to clear out all these resources, as the game is very unforgiving.