Game: The Cyber Shinobi
Console: Sega Master System
Developer: Sega
Release Date: 1990
The sequel to Shinobi (not counting Alex Kidd in Shinobi World), the Cyber Shinobi delivers a futuristic twist on classic Shinobi gameplay. With various shot power-ups and ninjutsu powers to aid progression through levels, players work their way through hordes of baddies mainly using hand-to-hand combat and their timed jumps to aid taking damage, and come out on top.
The game plays well with simple controls, and a clearly laid out HUD, even if it does take up nearly one third of the screen. While the original Shinobi allowed players to use unlimited shuriken against baddies, all ranged weapons must be collected as power-ups which changes the overall feel of gameplay quite a bit. Levels aren't particularly long, and there's a boss at the end of each though they don't really fit with the general bad guy aesthetic; the first boss being a construction vehicle!
Graphically the game is pretty standard for the Master System with a limited colour palette and low detail on sprites. That being said it's locations and levels are nicely designed and the music is far above the usual 8-bit soundtrack standard. The difficulty level is high, but not so much as to discourage players from giving levels just one more go.
Overall The Cyber Shinobi is an impressive game for 1990, managing to combine a fun play style with impressive music and level design. It's a shame that there wasn't a basic shuriken type weapon to continue the style of play from the original Shinobi, but this adds a new strategic element to player's movement through the levels.
Rating: 74/100
Grade: B
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