They can’t be good ninjas – I can see them from here…įor all that shines within Mark of the Ninja, there are a few minor blemishes that linger in the shadows. These can range from additional stealth-kill options to granting useful items that provide a unique spin on the gameplay formula, with my personal favourite being a Metal Gear Solid-inspired cardboard box. The rewards gained from obtaining a high score and completing said optional extras are in the form of medals, a redeemable currency that grants perks when exchanged. These can range from the tried and tested “complete without being seen” to the more bespoke “interact with an object” varying from level to level. Whilst the gameplay isn’t easy by any means, added difficulty can be found throughout the levels’ additional optional challenges. It never evolves past its opening scenes, and the ending leaves a lot to be desired.But it’s never the driving force behind your actions, so it’s easy to both forgive and forget. This isn’t to say it’s not interesting, though through the use of gorgeous animated cut-scenes, the story is entertaining to watch but never quite engaging. The story is interesting, but never carries the weight that other in the same category manage to achieve. Visual aids of audio cues smartly penetrate the sturdy foundation laid out, and mitigate any need for audio to be enabled, a common necessity in others of the stealth genre. Whether you opt for a stealth approach or go ninja stars blazing, that’s left to you either path is viable at all times, and whilst one may be easier than the other in given situations, both feel just as good in the end. Considering the more restrictive 2D look that Klei Entertainment used, the masterful execution of the core gameplay loop – working out the optimal way to overcoming a challenge, followed by precisely operating your plan to perfection – is one that sinks into you and never lets go.
Very few games live in the upper echelon on the stealth world with the competency that, for me, Metal Gear Solid and Tenchu manage to achieve, but Mark of the Ninja: Remastered sits confidently aside them as one of the greats.īeing able to achieve this lofty task is no small feat. Arguably the most important factor of the stealth genre is allowing the player to feel they are both outsmarting each enemy that appears before them, all whilst feeling a bonafide badass.
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