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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
Shinobido: Way of the Ninja

Mixed or average reviews
Based on 15 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 13 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >
Game Info
Publisher: Spike
Developer: Acquire
Genre(s): Action, Adventure
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: RP (Rating Pending)
Release Date: July 7, 2006
Summary
(Known in Japan as "Shinobido Imashime") End of the Muromachi Period -- the late 16th century: The power of the Ashikaga government is on the decline after the Onin/Bunmei civil war. Civil unrest is on the rise and conflict rocks province after province. Even Utakata, long peacefully ruled by the House of Ichijo, is now threatened. However, something in Utakata gives even the most power-hungry lord pause -- the prestigious Asuka Ninja Clan. It was thought that the combined protection of the House of Ichijo and the Asuka ninja would preserve the peace in Utakata. But this time of peace came to an end when the Asuka Ninja clan was destroyed in a single night... The provincial lords, who had been watching and waiting for an opportunity to strike at Utakata, wasted no time in making their moves. And they were accompanied by rival ninja clans hoping to take the place of the Asuka Ninja. Besieged by rival governments and ninja clans, Utakata stands on the brink of war. [Spike]
Cheat Codes & Hints: GameSpot Hints & Cheats
Also On The Web: Official Website
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Times Online
The open-ended nature of the tasks is highly appealing, and learning to kill silently surprisingly enjoyable.
Read Full Review >AceGamez
The truth is, if you can see past the flaws, the bugs, the bad graphics and the poor sound, and that's a lot to see past too, fans of the genre will have a great time on the island of ninja where anything goes.
Read Full Review >Boomtown
Despite glimmers of excellence, the whole package is just a little too imbalanced to make the game essential.
Read Full Review >Eurogamer
The repetition of certain levels may jar after a few hours, it looks more like a PSone game than a latter-day PS2 title, enemy AI is as helpfully stupid as ever, and I'm surprised I've got this far without complaining about the total lack of variation in kill animations, but if you can wrestle your own perspective into looking past a few basic flaws, this is an enjoyable ninja playground.
Read Full Review >Sydney Morning Herald
Shinobido oozes style but it's not easy to get into and requires commitment.
Read Full Review >Total Video Games
At times a solid and interesting title that fans of Tenchu will no doubt snap up; for gamers who aren't familiar to the ninja series, Shinobido may infuriate with its sometimes dodgy control system and almost functional gameplay structure.
Read Full Review >Jolt Online Gaming UK
A fairly clunky and dated game that tries to innovate where the Tenchu series has stagnated, but never manages to overcome some of that game’s major problems – like actually being able to control it properly without spending ages learning the quirks.
Read Full Review >Play UK
The stealth kills quickly became very samey, mostly due to the fact there is only one animation for when you've crept up behind someone. [Issue 142, p.105]
Edge Magazine
Endearing despite its flaws. [Aug 2006, p.88]
games(TM)
Shinobido is well constructed and satisfying at its best, but it could have been made years ago. Fans of the genre will find a lot to like here, but it offers nothing new. [Aug 2006, p.126]
PALGN
The basic gist of the game – helping warlords in their quest for domination by jumping from rooftop to rooftop – is fantastic and good fun for a while. But, ultimately, the game’s many problems start become really bothersome.
Read Full Review >Games Master UK
If you're absolutely desperate for more ninja action you could give this a go. [Sept 2006, p.65]
3DAvenue
Shinobido: Way Of The Ninja might try to emulate the ancient arts of stealth and camouflage, but it's ultimately a title that feels very dated and plays in a very ordinary fashion.
Read Full Review >PSM2 Magazine UK
An unremarkable game that does absolutely nothing new. The mission editor is a nice touch, but it's a shame the attached game is so...blah. [JPN Import; Aug 2006, p.66]
Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
Archaic, leaden stealth that mixes bland, unchallenging environments, and clunky controls to plumb new gaming lows. [Aug 2006, p.93]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 8.3 (out of 10) based on 13 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Leonard R gave it a10:
The controls are easy to get used to and the fact that you can choose your missions and determine the ending allows for great replayability. The music is pretty good and the game is very suspensful because you don't know what is going to happen. You can also create your own missions. The "garden" idea is cool too as you need to design it in such a way that it is easy to protect and yet beautiful. I can't put it down!
Ubay O. gave it a9:
First I would like to list the bad things: The overall's loads are too long. The graphics at first looks dated, and some missions are a bit repetitive. However, after some bad impressions, you can find a masterpiece in the stealth genre. I didn't have any issue with the controls. If you find something bad about them, atfer a while you will be hooked. You will enjoy the possibilities of using stealth aproach instead of fighting anyone (In fact, the combat is very hard, but still fun and useful in some situations). The levels allow for various approachs, and with various ways of completing the game, feels like a open world. This game is a classic example of the one which needs to be played for some hours to start realizing its potential. If it doesn't sound enough, you have the garden sub-game (where you place traps around your home to keep out enemies from it), the chemistry sub-game (you can mix various elements and make from healing potions to smoke bombs), at least 4 endings, and a level editor. Shinobido feels like the true succesor of the first Tenchu game for the PSone. For the next shinobido, if they fix the graphics, the loading times and allow more bigger levels, we will get the definitive stealth's genre masterpiece.
William G. gave it a10:
Brilliant. Far surpasses it's Tenchu predecessors. Plenty of extras, alternate endings and open-ended gameplay make this a must for any stealth-action gamer. Some average graphics, but the ninja genre have never been about pretty looks.
AgE gave it a9:
Awesome! The true spiritual successor to Tenchu as it is made by the original team that made Tenchu 1 & 2 on the PSOne.
Jan S. gave it a2:
I'd rather carve my left eye out with a rusty spoon than suffer any more of this rubbish. Crappy craphics, crappy controls, moron AI, repetetive missions and uninspiring story. The animations for the main character is pretty good though. If you REALLY love stealth games i suppose you could get some enjoyment out of this game.
Andrew G. gave it a9:
I have played the game. its great! It reminds me of the Tenchu series, I can't wait to try out the level editor. I recommend all those that are Tenchu fans and to any other Ninja fans to try out this game.
Tuomas K. gave it a9:
After playing this game for 14 hours, and still going for it, I must have that if u live in Europe or Japan (since there is no US version) You must get this. Playing this challenging and rewarding and u can spend many hours with this. Only gave this 9 because graphics could be better and camera is sometimes difficult to handle. I wish that I would be able to make cutscenes in mission editor since it is pretty lame to jsut start the mission without any cutscenes and end it without cutscenes. Even simple scene showing Crow frunning like in real missions would be good, or at the start depending on the mission there should be cutscene also. Other than those things this is great gameplay wise, and has many hours of enjoyment. I reccomend this game highly to those who think Tenchu was lacking something, this has it all, clearly best ninjastealthgame in the market and yes in any console.
