- Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
- Release Date: Sep 7, 2012
- Also On: PC
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Oct 8, 2012100An expertly-crafted love letter to stealth gaming, and so far one of the year's best titles. [Nov 2012, p.73]
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Sep 21, 2012100Mark of the Ninja executes its formula to such a high degree of near-perfection that I could hardly think of a way it could be meaningfully improved the whole way through it.
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Sep 12, 2012100Overall, Mark of the Ninja is a must have title for Xbox 360 owners, and something that any fan of the XBLA service should certainly be checking out. It's honestly a shame that this game wasn't a part of this year's Summer of Arcade promotion for Microsoft, because it's certainly better than just about every title promoted this time around.
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Sep 10, 2012100As close to perfect as a game can be... In an age where the lines between non-action genres increasingly blur to support a more fast-paced direction, this is stealth gaming done right. An achievement made even more remarkable for pulling it off using a 2D presentation. If you play only one Xbox Live Arcade game in 2012, there is no better option out there than Mark of the Ninja.
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Sep 10, 2012100I find Mark of the Ninja to be perfect. Let it stand as the benchmark by which all stealth games are now measured.
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Oct 8, 201295Think there are already too many ninja games on the market? Think again, because Mark of the Ninja is one of this year's best games. With a lengthy campaign, stylish graphics, responsive gameplay and a surprise ending, Klei's newest action game is a must-own. Even if you're normally not into stealth games, Mark of the Ninja is well worth your time!
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Sep 13, 201295Its stealth-as-power mechanics perfectly articulate the mystique of the ninja without compromising on challenge.
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Sep 11, 201295Mark of the Ninja is not "the game that they were meant to make" because Klei is a talented enough studio that can do even more with different styles of 2D gameplay. Yet, the studio has not only redeemed itself, it also managed to make one of the best stealth games of this generation and also one of the best ninja games ever made.
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Sep 7, 201295Mark of the Ninja's brilliant approach to stealth hits all of the right notes throughout, whether you're silently slaying guards from the shadows and stashing them in crevices, evading laser tripwires with a well-placed smoke bomb, or using darts to lure enemies into their own traps.
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Sep 7, 201293Even if you've never liked a stealth game, you shouldn't miss Mark of the Ninja. It redefines the silent assassin.
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Dec 28, 201292Mark of the Ninja has almost everything you can wish for in a game like this. The animations are wonderful and the soundtrack suits the game well. You can play the game in various ways and this extends its lifespan. With a minor flaw the game may not be perfect, but the game is very close to it.
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Sep 20, 201292Mark Of The Ninja is absolutely fabulous. Thanks to a superb level design and an unparalleled variety of situations this game will delight every player.
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Dec 12, 201291Mark of the Ninja is an excellent 2D-platformer, which cleverly combines stealth with explosive action. The striking visual style is also worth a mention. [Dec 2012]
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Dec 10, 201290Whereas Shank and Shank 2 seemed to succeed on brute force, Mark of the Ninja feels like a more nuanced affair. All of the Klei hallmarks are here, and the polish has been turned up to 11. A few minor issues aside, there is much to like here.
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Oct 8, 201290It's a testament to Mark of the Ninja from a design standpoint that even the most ardent skeptic of the stealth genre can find something to shout about here. It is slick, responsive and vastly rewarding - in other words, something worth shedding light on.
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Oct 7, 201290For an arcade downloadable title Mark of the Ninja brings substantial value for money. A single playthrough will keep you entertained for over a half dozen hours and that's just the tip of the sword.
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Oct 2, 201290A precisely well-made stealth platformer game throwing you into an open-ended world that forces you to think. With its approach, the game proves it's possible to implement many new and well-functioning elements into this classic genre.
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Sep 27, 201290This brilliant 2D stealth game is filled with clever puzzles, excellent controls, cool gadgets and ninjas. This is not to be missed by anyone.
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Sep 25, 201290A brilliant side-scroller stealth game, with great visuals, level design, and high replay value. Avoid this only if you hate the genre.
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Sep 25, 201290Mark of the Ninja is a must for Xbox 360 owners. A platformer-stealth winking to puzzle-games, with an enviable replay value, an accessible but yet honest gameplay and a commendable level design, which transforms the latest title form Klei Entertainment in a non-linear and unpredictable experience.
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Sep 21, 201290Mark of the Ninja is yet another gem of the Xbox Live Arcade. Deep, rich, smart and beautiful, this 2D stealth/action game never falls short compared to the major stealth titles out there. AI, ideas, level design, character progression, everything beautifully supports the lasting fun of this contemporary adventure.
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Sep 19, 201290Puristic stealth, thinking instead of simply reacting, having a plan and seeing it unfold thanks to near-perfect controls – that's how Mark of the Ninja creates its own little sense of addiction.
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Sep 16, 201290Sneaking, killing and disappearing. Rarely has the work of a ninja been incorporated into a game this well. The dark style, the tension of escaping the guards and loads of variation make Mark of the Ninja an awesome start to a fall filled with blockbusters.
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Sep 13, 201290Though Mark of the Ninja's informative design makes it easy to obtain that perfect stealth run, there's still a healthy amount of fear throughout.
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Sep 12, 201290For a downloadable game this offers amazing depth and replay value – almost as much as a full-priced title. If you love stealth games and have a competitive streak, Mark of the Ninja is a must buy.
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Sep 12, 201290Mark of the Ninja is a superb take on what a stealth game should be in 2D, offering some lessons to the veterans of the genre. Its visuals and animations reinforce the idea of being a ninja, creating an unmatched spectacle of lights and shadows, while its gameplay offers a growing sense of freedom that rewards imaginative and experimental players. A great triumph for Klei and their best game by far.
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Sep 12, 201290In times where Sam Fisher is a mere shadow of his former self, this two-dimensional ninja steps into the limelight, proving that old school-stealth is far from being dead.
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Sep 10, 201290Just like those that inspired it, this slick, demanding game inspires you to revel in the grim possibilities it offers. And when it comes to the precision of its execution, it might just have something to teach the big dogs.
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Sep 10, 201290I can't recommend this game enough. I have loved the direction Klei has taken with their games so far. Shank was a little too much for me, even though it was such a great game. Mark of the Ninja seems to evidence refinement and growth for the studio. It has been a long time since I enjoyed a stealth game this much. The balance between risk and reward is perfectly balanced, and if you enjoy the genre, this is a must own.
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Sep 9, 201290One of the best stealth games in years and an accomplished 2D platformer in its own right, with a near perfect balance, of depth, accessibility, and bloodshed.
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Sep 7, 201290With Mark of the Ninja, Klei has proven that they're not a one-trick pony, that they've got ideas to evolve and challenge players with. After more of the same in Shank 2, it's a welcome, fresh look at the developer that's made violence and blood a hallmark of their portfolio. Thankfully, they can still put and interesting spin on all that wetwork.
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Sep 7, 201290With its demanding gameplay, Mark of the Ninja may not be a game for everyone. Those who prefer destroying everyone with kick-assery may prefer the more visceral Ninja Gaiden 3 instead. But for those seeking a challenge or a game that really makes you feel like you're in the ninja uniform, Klei's Mark of the Ninja immensely satisfies.
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Sep 7, 201290Tense, strategic, and hard to put down, Mark of the Ninja is one of the welcome surprises of the year. If you miss the heyday of pure stealth-focused games, or you never played a great stealth game and wonder what all the fuss is about, Klei Entertainment just snuck out of nowhere to offer you a weekend's worth of fun.
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Sep 7, 201290Fast yet measured, breezy yet deep, and above all highly replayable, it's a game that stands as a refreshing example of stealth action done right.
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Sep 7, 201290Mark of the Ninja illustrates how Xbox Live Arcade continues to be a breeding ground for some of today's most creative content. This is stealth done right, with the presentation prowess to match. It's easily a contender for Xbox Live Arcade Game of the Year and it absolutely deserves a place in your digital game collection.
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Sep 7, 201290In an age when pure stealth experiences have become increasingly rare, Mark of the Ninja proves there's still gas left in the tank, with ingeniously designed mechanics and a slate of gadgets and abilities that make stalking your prey from the shadows an absolute treat.
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Sep 7, 201290This ninja is marked for greatness.
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Sep 7, 201290A game that never rests on its laurels and offers ample replay value, Mark of the Ninja is a much-needed shot in the arm for Live Arcade's lacklustre summer offering.
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Sep 14, 201288You shouldn't miss Mark of the Ninja if you like stealth games. It is a highly recommended choice on XBLA.