The Legend of Kage 2 may just be the biggest sleeper hit of the entire year for me. Not only is it a huge surprise because I had no idea it was even coming out until a review copy landed on my doorstep last week, but also because it’s one incredibly slick game that has pushed Sonic Chronicles, Dragon Quest IV, Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise and Lock’s Quest aside as the game getting the most play time in my DS right now. That’s some impressive competition to beat out!
From everything I’ve heard, the original Legend of Kage, released in arcades and various home platforms including the NES in the mid 80’s, was a real dud. I probably played it once upon a time on my NES, but I honestly don’t remember it at all. You wouldn’t expect a not-so-fondly-remembered game to be first in line to get a sequel, but hey, more power to Taito for revisiting one of its past brands and bringing it up to date, especially when the end product is of this caliber.
Like Shinobi, Ninja Gaiden and I assume the original, The Legend of Kage 2 is a side-scrolling ninja action/platform game. As either the katana-wielding hero Kage or the kusarigama-swinging heroine Chihiro, it is your duty to battle through 13 crisply detailed stages of lighting-quick 2D action, hopping from treetop to treetop, scaling walls, avoiding spiked pits and other hazards, and dealing out death against a constant barrage of demon-ninjas in order to rescue princess Kirihime, who has been taken captive by lead villain Yoshiro Yukikusa as part of his evil scheme to plunge the world into darkness.
The stage layouts tend to feel a bit samey after a while, but overall the gameplay design is right on point. The controls are smooth and intuitive, as they need to be for a game requiring precision reflexes like this. Epic boss battles are in abundance and do an amazing job challenging your pattern recognition skills and patience without crossing the line into cheap territory. A combo scoring system delivers that “gotta beat my high score” mentality any good arcade-style game needs to have (though it’s a shame some form of online leaderboard system isn’t provided). And skill advancement and ninjutsu magic systems combine to add a very, very light RPG element to the mix. The presentation may be a bit too GBA-ish for some, but the 2D backdrops of moonlit skies and vibrant trees of pink and red blossoms are still beautiful even if they don’t push any of the DS’s technological capabilities, and the dual-screen display is used nicely to give the environments a much grander sense of visual scale.
At only $20, Legend of Kage 2 is also a tremendous value. The 13-mission campaign takes upwards of four hours to finish the first time — then you get to go back through as the other character and see the story unfold from a different perspective – and unlockable content, such as concept art, harder difficulty settings and a nifty Boss Rush mode, promote further replayability.
With so many games coming out right now and plenty more still on the way before the year lets out, The Legend of Kage 2 is a title I fear will get completely lost in the shuffle. Please don’t let that happen. Perhaps it’s not the most original work of gaming ever made – it’s pretty damn derivative to be honest — but that shouldn’t scare you away. This is one remarkably entertaining ninja side-scroller that deserves circulation in your DS.
Pros:
+ Awesome boss battles
+ Zippy side-scrolling ninja action with smooth controls
+ Beautiful 2D environment backdrops and excellent music
+ Two playable characters and unlockable content offer good replay value
Cons:
– Samey level designs sometimes seem almost like filler to space out the boss fights
– Lack of some form of online component for high score sharing or maybe even co-op is a little disappointing
Game Info:
Platform: Nintendo DS
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: TAITO Corporation
Release Date: 10/7/08
Genre: Action
ESRB Rating: E10+
Players: 1
Source: Review copy provided by publisher
Square Enix’s lineup for next week’s E3 summit is now in and it’s loaded up with 11 games spanning the PS3, Xbox 360, PSP, DS and iPod (sorry, no love for the Wii). As it stands now, the lineup will include The Last Remnant (PS3, Xbox 360), Song Summoner: The Unsung Heroes (iPod), Chrono Trigger (DS), Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen (DS), Final Fantasy IV (DS), Star Ocean: First Departure (PSP), Star Ocean: Second Evolution (PSP), Infinite Undiscovery (Xbox 360), Star Ocean: The Last Hope (Xbox 360), Exit DS (DS), and The Legend of Kage 2 (DS).
That’s a lot of ports and remakes for the portables, but some intriguing original titles for the consoles. Best of both worlds, I’d say. Final Fantasy XIII, the next Kingdom Hearts titles, Dissidia: Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest IX are glaringly missing in action, as is the total lack of Wii games, but this is just an initial list. Surely there’ll be a few surprises in store, at least I hope so…
Below is a gallery covering Square Enix’s E3 lineup (one screen for each game), then post jump you’ll find the complete roster of game descriptions.
E3 2008 Lineup
(Square Enix)
Multiplatform:
THE LAST REMNANT
Platform: Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft/
PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system
Genre: RPG
ESRB Rating: Not Yet Rated
Ship Date: (Xbox 360) This Winter / (PLAYSTATION 3 system) TBA
The Last Remnant is a brand-new RPG crafted using the finest artistry and technology Square Enix has to offer. Set in a fantasy world, war-torn and scarred by years of conflict, gameplay revolves around mysterious artifacts – Remnants – that possess magic powers. Groundbreaking graphics only possible on Xbox 360 bring the intensity to a whole new level. The Last Remnant will only be available on Xbox 360 this winter.
The official website can be found at http://na.square-enix.com/remnant/.
iPod:
SONG SUMMONER: The Unsung Heroes
Platforms: iPod nano with video, iPod classic and fifth generation iPod
Genre: Role-Playing
Now Available (NA, JP, EU)
Now at the iTunes Store in 22 countries around the world, SONG SUMMONER: The Unsung Heroes is a Role-Playing Game that transforms tracks on your iPod® into powerful “Tune Troopers” that you can control in battle! As the protagonist Ziggy, you will embark on an epic journey to rescue your brother from the clutches of the Mechanical Militia! Intriguing characters, an epic story and a tactics-based battle system combine for a rich RPG experience previously only available on home consoles.
The official website can be found at http://www.square-enix.co.jp/songsummoner/.
Nintendo DS:
CHRONO TRIGGER
Genre: RPG
ESRB Rating: Not Yet Rated
Ship Date: Holiday 2008
Remastered exclusively for Nintendo DS, CHRONO TRIGGER is a true classic that has set the benchmark for the RPG genre. This all-new edition of the game contains all the classic essence of the original release while introducing the portability, dual-screen presentation and Touch-Screen functionality of Nintendo DS, taking players back in time to re-experience the epic RPG that started it all.
The official website can be found at http://na.square-enix.com/ctds/.
DRAGON QUEST IV: Chapters of the Chosen
Genre: RPG
ESRB: E10+ (Everyone 10 and older)
Ship Date: September 16, 2008
For the first time, a full-fledged DRAGON QUEST adventure arrives on Nintendo DS with DRAGON QUEST IV: Chapters of the Chosen. Experience an adventure of epic proportions, presented through multiple character perspectives. While retaining the classic look and feel of the original release, this remake breathes new life into a much-loved entry in the DRAGON QUEST series with 3D graphics, dual screen presentation and newly animated monsters.
The official website can be found at http://na.square-enix.com/zenithia/.
FINAL FANTASY IV
Genre: RPG
ESRB: E10+ (Everyone 10 and older)
Ship Date: July 22, 2008
The latest entry in the franchise that has shipped 85 million copies worldwide*, FINAL FANTASY IV for Nintendo DS features beautiful, fully 3D cutscenes with voiceovers, capturing the emotional drama that first touched the hearts of fans over fifteen years ago. The new ability system and added DS functionality introduce a fresh experience to both new and returning FINAL FANTASY IV fans. With a storyline that sets the stage for all subsequent FINAL FANTASY titles, FINAL FANTASY IV is a must-play for those looking to jump into the best-selling RPG franchise in the world.
*As of May 2008.
The official website can be found at http://na.square-enix.com/ff4/.
PSP system:
STAR OCEAN: First Departure
Genre: RPG
ESRB: Not Yet Rated
Ship Date: October 21, 2008
Space Date 346: The crew of a Terran Federation ship arrives on the planet Roak. With the help of a stalwart band of local heroes, the crew must work together to unravel a mystery and halt a galactic war. STAR OCEAN: First Departure marks the first time that the initial installment in the popular STAR OCEAN franchise is available in North America.
The official website can be found at http://na.square-enix.com/starocean/.
STAR OCEAN: Second Evolution
Genre: RPG
ESRB: Not Yet Rated
Ship Date: January 6, 2009
Space Date 366: A young Federation officer finds himself transported to a mystical planet, where he is suddenly anointed as the Hero of Light. He begins a journey to fulfill a prophecy and save a newfound race. STAR OCEAN: Second Evolution continues the STAR OCEAN saga!
The official website can be found at http://na.square-enix.com/starocean/.
Xbox 360:
INFINITE UNDISCOVERY (Xbox 360 Exclusive)
Genre: RPG
ESRB: T (Teen)
Ship Date: September 2, 2008
Infinite Undiscovery is the newest fantasy role-playing console game from Square Enix, drawing gamers into a real-time world woven of countless threads where player choices spin untold discoveries. Players will be confronted with a variety of dramatic situational battles such as executing a daring escape while a gigantic ogre follows in hot pursuit, or waging battle amidst towering tidal waves. Dynamic environments change and respond in real time, creating an entirely new experience never before seen in the genre. The title is scheduled to release exclusively on Xbox 360 in September 2, 2008.
The official website can be found at http://infiniteundiscovery.com/.
STAR OCEAN: THE LAST HOPE
Genre: RPG
ESRB: Not Yet Rated
Ship Date: 2009
STAR OCEAN: THE LAST HOPE is the long-awaited continuation of the celebrated science fiction and fantasy RPG series. Slated for release on Xbox 360 in 2009 and published by Square Enix, this prequel set during the aftermath of World War III combines sci-fi and fantasy elements spanning multiple planets and the vastness of space itself to recount the origins of the STAR OCEAN universe. Exhilarating combat expands upon the franchise’s famous real-time battle system, introducing the amazing graphics and visual effects only possible on Xbox 360.
The official website can be found at http://na.square-enix.com/starocean/.
E3 2008 Lineup
(TAITO Corporation)
Nintendo DS:
EXIT DS
Genre: Action Puzzle
ESRB: E (Everyone)
Ship Date: October 7, 2008
The stylish and inventive action puzzle game comes to Nintendo DS! As professional escape artist Mr.Esc, players must maneuver through burning buildings and sinking ships as they dodge disaster and save survivors along the way. EXIT DS makes a smooth return to the portable scene with all-new Touch-Screen functionality and over 100 stages to solve.
The Legend of Kage 2
Genre: Action
ESRB: E10+ (Everyone 10 and older)
Ship Date: October 7, 2008
The hit arcade game is back! The thrilling ninja action of The Legend of Kage 2 takes over both Nintendo DS screens, fully utilizing the dual-screen presentation and scrolling to draw players into a dynamic world filled with exhilarating midair combat. With rich, elaborate stages and a compelling story that follows the tale of two protagonists, The Legend of Kage 2 breathes renewed excitement into the classic action adventure experience.
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