I've finally finished this game on normal and noticed nobody answered the question, "Can you play Ninja Gaiden Arcade if you get all the scarabs?" Well now we have an answer which is yes it actually works. (I think I read playing it on the 360 that it didn't work) Anyway I thought I'd give my impression of playing this. Word of warning, there might be some spoilers.(Come on the game came out in 2005 so no complaining. That would be like complaining that someone told you the last boss in a Zelda game was Gannon. Oh wait, someone did that to me.)
- This game isn't actually that hard.(It didn't need a Ninja Dog mode)
I know the game has a huge reputation for being one of the most brutal games ever. I know when I originally tried playing it back when I first bought it (in 2006) I thought the first level was enough of a challenge that I didn't dare go any further.(I let it psych me out) Then later on I basically heard that if you can beat the first level you can beat the game and Murai is one of the harder bosses. Yeah, both of those are pretty much true. There were only 3 bosses I couldn't beat the first time I faced them, Doku, Spirit Doku, and Awakened Alma. Over my time as a gamer I've played many games that were much harder than this one on normal, like the original Ninja Gaiden on the NES. Admittedly if you play it on the harder modes or with handicaps like speed runs it's definitely a challenge. But just playing it on normal just trying to finish it, the game isn't that hard. And what was it that made the game very beatable?
- Do people not get the concept of grinding?
I mean there's so many opportunities to kill guys who regenerate. Furthermore on normal bats are an easy source of health. After level 6 or 7 I had enough money to max out my potions which makes the game so much easier. Sure I backtracked a lot so my time sucked but hey I never got truly stuck. If you make it a point to have a healthy stock of potions (and talismans) you should have enough time to figure out how to fight bosses so you an defeat them.(Oh the last level you can climb the stairs with fire wheels and the dragon sword and the armlet of fortune and slaughter ghost fish to recharge both health and ninpo)
- Yeah the game kind of clicks on level 6
Yes, someone else that gave me a heads up about playing this game told me that. That's pretty much true. Starting around chapter 6 I was playing more instinctual and not think about as much what I wanted to do. Don't get me wrong, I'm not particularly good or anything, just after level 6 blocking became fairly automatic s did other moves.
- What was it that killed me the most?
Pits that I'd fall to my death. That killed me more than anything else. I will say I'm not a fan of platforming in this game. Hell, my least favorite level was chapter 16 with that blind jump. I missed that so many times and on top of it that level has a section that's timed. Definitely not a fan of that.(Yeah, the original NG had platforming so I should have expected it here.)
- What did I think of the gameplay?
The thing it played most like was a fighting game. I mean you have to be concerned with invincibility frames, blocking, guard breaks/crushes, and inertial. Usually it your standard action game you don't have to worry about any of that. I figure if I kept playing it I'd get better for the same reason I'd get better at fighting games. Not better reflexes but being better able to anticipate the enemy.
- This is not a game you can zone out and take casual
What I mean is this is a game where if you don't take it seriously it will punish you. Even the earliest of enemies will punish you for that. Or for being greedy. Oh man did they punish me when I tried to do a UT instead of just going for the ET
- What did I wish was different about the game
Pretty much I wish they swapped the default camera. (The first thing I did in every game is switch camera styles by pushing in the right stick. The default camera sucks.) Also I wish there was a training option. I mean the only reason I learned about ET/UT is someone on this board told me about it so I looked it up. Oh, you don't have to use it but there are definitely times when it comes in handy.(I definitely wished there was a mode where I could test out moves and combos)
At the end of the Fiend Murai fight. I was blasting him a lot with magic and at the end I finished him with..........................holy crap I beat him with a gleaming blade and I actually meant to do it.(That was rush and a fitting end.)
Anyway I figure another NGB thread can't be bad and now we have an answer to that age old question. (Yes arcade works. I probably should try it out on my Series X to see if it works there too.)
