Rating:

Ninja Rush is, as its name would suggest, fast-paced and action packed. Its a very fun and enjoyable download, well worth playing. After all, there aren't many games that allow you to take on hordes of aliens with shurikens.

Additional Info

Full Review

I like Ninja Rush because graphically it reminds of those first wave arcade games from the early 1980s that so ruined my childhood and set me on this long path of video game fandom. I also like it because its a good game. Graphically appealing and fast-paced, Ninja Rush is a shooter that has you shooting shurikens against, yes, aliens. Obviously this is not a plot driven game but the effort provides some fun and silly backstory that sets the tone for the game.

You will run, jump, and shoot down waves of flying saucers, robots, and rushing aliens in endless streams through three areas, each with its own boss. Because you are constantly moving the game has a very hectic feel, which belies the basic shooter formula it follows; it took me some time to slow down and recognize the enemy attack patterns because it seemed like they were just flying by. So in a sense, it is a brilliant design idea in that it kind of masks and otherwise very typical game.

Ninja Rush is quite difficult, though not in the typical way that some games use (that is, to cover up a lack of content or originality); it's just a genuinely hard game. Sometimes this approach is very frustrating, and Ninja Rush has its frustrating moments, but it is difficult in the way that makes you want to try again and prove the game wrong. In that sense, the game is a success, and there are no glaring issues for one to complain about. There is a solid aesthetic feel, a generous number of enemies to encounter, and some thoughtful attack patterns to negotiate. There are genuine moments of glee where you must utilize your inner ninja to dodge and weave through waves of attackers.

However, the issue arises that a game like this, which is so simple in its premise, can get stale and boring pretty quickly. This is true, but Ninja Rush is short and provides just the rush one needs to play it through and set it down after an enjoyable session.