Ninja Gaiden (2004) Critic Reviews

From start to finish, the main element that propels Ninja Gaiden above all others in the action genre is the dazzling combat-based gameplay.

There has been such precise and accurate detail placed on this game that it would be near impossible to point out any faults.

This game is cooler than ice cream stored in a fridge on Pluto. It look cools, it plays cool, it sounds cool.

The jaw-dropping graphics help. As do the weapons, power-ups and the scope of the game (15-plus levels, 40-50 hours of play to complete). But it's the fighting that really won us over.

The character models and environments are drop dead gorgeous. This is one of the prettiest games to ever grace a console, on par with some of the high end PC games out there.

Ninja Gaiden epitomizes all that is beautiful in gaming, an experience that is at once difficult, though never in a cheap way, and artistically crafted.

The majority of folks will clock in for a 20-plus-hour thrill ride. Few games are this good, for so long, and still keep you coming back for more. Ninja Gaiden is truly outstanding.

This is one of the best-looking games on the Xbox. That it also boasts fluid, intuitive gameplay, and does not condescend to the audience by making the fighting too simple or automatic, is miraculous.

The sense of accomplishment is strong with this one, as if the frenetic gameplay, incredible bosses, and awe-inspiring graphics aren't enough already.

What Team Ninja have achieved is no less than a modern miracle, a game that somehow conjures the same stickiness and addictive spirit as its 8-bit juggernaut. Ninja Gaiden for the Xbox is, quite simply, a perfect video game.

One of the best, most challenging games ever made. Ninja Gaiden is as close to perfect as a game can get. The game sports cutting edge graphics, great sound and the best fighting engine that has ever been created.

The actual fighting in the game is flawless...One of my favorite games of all time and easily my favorite game on Xbox.

It is probably one of the hardest action games in quite some time, and requires extremely quick reflexes and skillful gameplay.

Hands down the first great action title of 2004. The game will punish you with difficulty, but will keep you hooked with gorgeous eye candy, stellar and smooth game play.

This is a masterpiece.

Ninja Gaiden does everything right from A to Z.

As complex as the game might seem, its success is contingent on one main feature-fun. It's rare that after 20 hours of solving this puzzle and slashing that boss you'd want to try it again. Expect to do that with Ninja Gaiden.

Not only does this Xbox-exclusive offer blazing action, mind-numbing visuals, and some of the most fluid combat you're likely to see this year, Team Ninja has buried the original three Ninja Gaiden NES games, taunting you to play and replay this game on increasingly difficult skills levels.

Gorgeous graphical elements, outstanding animation and a solid storyline with strong challenge – what more is there to say?

The action is fast, fluid, fun, and it never feels like just a big hack-n-slash fest.