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It's very rare that we come across a console conversion that radically improves the experience to the point where swathes of text in the original review - not to mention the score - no longer seem relevant, but that's exactly the state of affairs we encounter with the release of this new "Razor's Edge" edition of Ninja Gaiden 3.Simon Parkin quite rightly scored the original game at a risible 4/10, citing the dumbed down gameplay mechanics, button-bashing auto-combos and the emphasis on QTEs - a monotonous combination that amounted to a complete betrayal of the series' focus on tough-but-fair gameplay and intricate, technical combat. The review also pointed out the complete lack of skill progression, the pared-down weaponry and the omission of combo counters amongst other classic Ninja Gaiden staples.
Also receiving paragraphs of criticism was a particular scene found at the beginning of the game where the player has no choice but to cut down an unarmed, surrendering enemy opponent driven to begging for his life after witnessing Ryu Hayabusa annihilate his colleagues. It's the most blatant, heavy-handed example in the game of an attempt to make the player consider whether Hayabusa is a hero or a mass-murderer, but actually serves no other purpose than to make the protoganist look like an arsehole mere minutes into the action while highlighting just how little control you actually have on the narrative. In true "No Russian" style, nothing you do alters the inevitability of the scene.
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