Nightshade

Gamezilla!

After spending a fairly short amount of time with the game, I found the controls very smooth, but what really makes this game such a blast to play is the inventive combat system.

Worth Playing

It’s got flashy combat, an undeniably well-designed lead character, and a lot of ninja action. It’s just that the further you go, the less fun the game becomes, so you’d do better to rent this one.

GamerFeed

Challenging opponents, extended "tate" combos, and difficulty settings for any skill level make for extensive replay value and plenty to like in Nightshade.

Gamenikki

I still believe that there'll be a faction of pansy gamers, weaned on infinite continues, save points and GameSharks, that bitch and moan about how hard the game is and fail to appreciate it as a result. That's lame, really, because even if Nightshade doesn't do enough to fix everything that was wrong with Shinobi, it's still easily one of the top action titles on PS2.

PSM Magazine

Improves on "Shinobi" in every respect, resulting in a fast-paced, pure action game with a fresh feel to its gameplay that's unique in a genre lacking in new ideas. [Apr 2004, p.32]

GamePro

The control scheme is sublimely genius, letting you perform midair attacks and dash around foes with poetic ease. The manual camera is still a bit too loose, though, and leaping and running against walls isn’t as reliable as you’d like it to be.

Armchair Empire

This game may not be on par with its predecessor, but it has done a fabulous job of becoming a far more accessible game to a number of different types of gamers, be they newcomers or seasoned veterans.

GameSpot

Those who like their games nice and easy shouldn't bother with Nightshade. As for the rest of us, we can heartily appreciate it for its monumental challenge and tight, responsive controls.

Gamer's Pulse

With an improved control scheme and fluid action, the game fixes the problems plaguing the first title. Unfortunately, the action is broken up by unnecessary and frustrating platform challenges forced upon by linear level design.

Gaming Illustrated

This leaves Nightshade’s appeal divided pretty evenly between those who will play at it, improve, and get better, and those who will quickly dismiss it as too hard. For those who stick with it to get high ratings in the stages, there’s a lot of value.

Game Revolution

If you have wimpy thumbs and are averse to difficulty, you probably ought to let this ninja go. But if you consider yourself the hardest of the hardcore, I recommend letting Nightshade kick your ass a little.

GameSpy

It does decrease the barrier of entry enough that the average gamer has a better shot at enjoying it. Combine that with superior level design and attractive graphics and my preference for it over "Shinobi" is obvious. It's still chock full of frustration and teeth-gnashing.

GameZone

Somewhere between Shinobi 1.5 and a full-fledged Shinobi sequel. Nightshade has all of the Shinobi gameplay elements you grew to love two years ago. It also has new moves, a better camera targeting system (better meaning improved – it's still not perfect, and will likely drive you nuts from time to time), and more enemies to kill than you could ever desire.

netjak

I can't see anyone wanting to replay this over and over just to unlock Hisui, Hotsuma, and Joe Musashi, so this game is just a rental, if that.

BonusStage

Not only will you curse, but as the game progresses, you’ll get exceedingly violent towards your controller. Bosses are especially tough, often requiring the player to dash in for a quick hit, then dash out for an even quicker retreat.

Next Level Gaming

While Nightshade does have its positives, they are far outweighed by the negatives. The hours of frustration because of the difficulty made me want to pull my hair out times. It’s a shame too because this title had so much potential that it didn’t fulfill.

DailyGame

I typically find any platformers get old fast, but in Nightshade, the designers were wise enough to not subject you to platform hell, so there's just enough to keep the levels interesting.

TotalPlayStation

Yes, the addition of checkpoints eases the frustration, but only a bit. This is a series that can absolutely end up being great, but to get there, it still needs a better scope on varied (and, hopefully, jaw-slackeningly beautiful) level design and for the love of God, Sega, fix that damned camera.

Official U.S. Playstation Magazine

If you liked "Shinobi" but hated the controller-throwing difficulty of it, then you'll flip over Sega's latest ninja adventure. [Apr 2004, p.100]

PSX Nation

The bottom line is, if you liked "Shinobi" then you'll most likely love Nightshade. With more unlockables and selectable difficulty's than it's predecessor (and replay value as well), Nightshade is a good buy.

Adrenaline Vault

While few titles will ever again brutalize the player as "Shinobi" did, the still relatively high level of difficulty coupled with refinements and improvements to the gameplay should make Nightshade a keeper for fans of the series.

IGN

In the end, aside from having a fetish for hot looking female polygonal characters, there is absolutely nothing that Nightshade offers players that "Shinobi" didn't.

games(TM)

Most gamers will complete Nightshade within a weekend - it's a fine example of style over substance. But this game is all about its scoring system and it offers plenty of incentives to ensure that you'll be going back for just one more go. [Mar 2004, p.110]

GMR Magazine

Two words: bottomless pits. That foul design element, which should have been eradicated from gaming's lexicon decades ago, shows up in Nightshade - and with maddening regularity. [Apr 2004, p.88]

Gamer's Hell

A major improvement over the original in many ways, but still lacks in Sound.

Game Informer

Depressingly lackluster. [Mar 2004, p.106]

Gamestyle

If you have the yearning, however, it may be advisable to seek out another of Sega's recent offerings - the lavishly-presented, highly-atmospheric originality of "Otogi."

Cheat Code Central

Unless you're a masochist you might want to rent this one just to see if you have the skill or tenacity to make it to the end. It's not for everyone, but it's nothing that a few, choice, cheat codes couldn't tame.

G4 TV

Nightshade isn't the sharpest depiction of ninjitsu out there. But we can't say it's entirely demanding of seppuku either. Some will enjoy the mindless mayhem, warts aside.

1UP

The final problem for me is that Nightshade doesn't provide nearly enough of an incentive to rise to the challenge.

Yahoo! Games

Approach this sharp blade with caution, because it's likely to turn on you before mastery comes.

Edge Magazine

An unforgiving experience … but Nightshade still has enough chutzpah to give those weaned on games without saves a stern and nostalgic challenge. Those afraid of tough bosses need not apply. [Mar 2004, p.103]

PSX Extreme

The camera is atrocious, the graphics are bland, and the voice acting is lousy. The concept is cool, but after two mediocre games, it looks like it’s time for Sega to put down the Shinobi series once and for all.

Computer Games Magazine

There is very little newness here, but the game proves infinitely more playable than its predecessor thanks to reduced difficulty. [Apr 2004, p.8]

Play Magazine

A little drab, mechanical and laden by an antiquated feel, Nightshade is an on-again off-again sequel to the similarly flawed "Shinobi." [Mar 2004, p.59]

Electronic Gaming Monthly

Instant deaths, abetted by a bad camera, put the brakes on the best bits of an otherwise ugly and repetitious game. [Apr 2004, p.121]

Eurogamer

In the face of such opposition, Nightshade, a pretty damn poor game when stacked against PS2 contemporaries like "Devil May Cry" or "Castlevania," simply doesn't have a candle to hold.

TotalGames.net

It's as if Overworks were so proud of their bland, boxy environments that they thought the camera would be put to much better use tracking the grey blocks that constitute 'the world' than actually following the gameplay. If you can actually call it that.

Gaming Age

Everything just ends up being so boring and predictable.