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65 Comments

Microsoft's Secret Cutting

This is what happens when you use Mad Libs to name your video games.

As expected.
As expected.
Microsoft Japan held its Fall Media Briefing today-ish (I am endlessly confused by the time difference), during which it finally officially announced Ninja Blade, a title that we first heard about during that crazy Intellisponse leak. You can catch a brief prerendered trailer for the game at the official Ninja Blade website, though thus far it seems easily summed up as "Ninja Gaiden, But Not." There's even something about the weird metal forehead crest thing that is very Ryu Hayabusa-y. Hopefully Microsoft and developer From Software have some plans to differentiate Ninja Blade, because right now the whole motif of physics-defying ninjas fighting demons against a glass-and-steel backdrop feels way too familiar.

65 Comments

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tebbit

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Edited By tebbit

Microsoft....... Japan......?

Maybe they should make this a stylish ninja beat 'em up where you have to chain enemy kills together. Or one where with a grappling hook they can swing gracefully from trees and roofs with abandon.

Or maybe  Microsoft Japan re-do something more damn interesting, like Akuji the Heartless. or G-Police. Or not another ninja game!

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oraknabo

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Edited By oraknabo

This is by the people that completely ruined the Tenchu series. I'll be amazed if this even rates 2 stars.

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Aesoprawk

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Edited By Aesoprawk

Maybe they should make it a ninja game where you sneak around in medieval Japan and kill people....oh wait, Tenchu.

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Stealthoneill

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Edited By Stealthoneill

Looks exactly like Gaiden, but then who knows what they will actually do with the gameplay.:P

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Boogir

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Edited By Boogir

I feel both excited and embarrassed. At least his costume is better than Ryu Hayabusa.

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Bgrngod

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Edited By Bgrngod

Maybe you get to fight pirates?

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Alphazero

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Edited By Alphazero

They wanted to name it Ninja Tea Cozy, but Nintendo is already making that.

Would you like Jasmine or......... SLEEPYTIME?!?!?! (Dun DUN DUN)

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Damonation

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Edited By Damonation

So this is the game for all the pussies who couldn't beat Ninja Gaiden?

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MACGYVERRRRRRRR

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Edited By MACGYVERRRRRRRR

This will be great if they completely abandon the concept of having a story.  "You're this ninja and...you have this blade... aaaaand, go".

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NoGamesForOldMen

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Edited By NoGamesForOldMen

Hope they slow the gameplay down, make the battles more realistic (allowing you to chop off limbs), and provide rpg-like loot pick-ups.

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GristleMcThornbody

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The only hope for this game is that it comes from the developers who brought us Otogi. 

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WorkingTavo

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Edited By WorkingTavo

i have no problems at all if the game is like NG i wouldn't mind having games that challenging and fun

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mackgyver

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Edited By mackgyver

The trailer looks pretty generic. I'm sure the big minds at Microsoft could have done a lot better. Cliche's anyone?

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ender

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Edited By ender

If the game actually has a decent story and some new gameplay, I might be interested. If not, I've punished myself enough with NGII's mindless hack and slash.

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VegaDemonLord

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Edited By VegaDemonLord

Rad music convinces me enough for now. It might be just like NG, but at least their might be some real character and plot attachment via epic music. =P

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papercut

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Edited By papercut

the only way this name could be any more generic is if they had addded a "X" to the end of it.

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AgileNate

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Edited By AgileNate

Im hoping for this to be a lot like Ninja Gaiden Black. Ninja Gaiden 2 was not that great.

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killdave

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Edited By killdave

Arrrh, Ryan boy! Thar be tons of cheap ripoffs up thar in Redmond, all a man can carry, ripe for the takin’. All we need do is hoist anchor for more Ninjas! Those scurvy dogs will taste the point of our grandma’s walker!

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FuzzYLemoN

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Edited By FuzzYLemoN

The world could always use more ninjas.

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screwed

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Edited By screwed

Splinter Cell Ninja :o

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aaox

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Edited By aaox

So let me get this straight...Ninjas have defeated their long time enemy, Pirates, only to start fighting with Demons?

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Shasam

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Edited By Shasam

Maybe they will have lots of different types of "Blade" games. Y'know, like...Jedi Blade, or....Pirate Blade, or....Kitchen Blade! (There cooking Mama rip off).

I hope the generic gets washed off this game fast.

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digital_sin

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Edited By digital_sin

Itagaki is now working for From Software, you heard it here first.

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galerian

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Edited By galerian

It looks like another Shinobi (or Ninja Gaiden, whichever you preferred).

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Theory

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Edited By Theory

Looks like hi-tech ninja to me...

which may or maynot be inspired by Strider.

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ParisRobot

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Edited By ParisRobot

this is from the same creators of otogi 1 and 2, two of the best and most slept on games for the original xbox. there may be hope for this game yet.

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jonano

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Edited By jonano

this look like  ninja gaiden but how can you make a ninja game that doesn't look simular eg. ps2 shinobi its l
alway a hack and slash game with a guy  doing cool moves in a elaborate costume well maybe its a accessable ninja gaiden type game thats not frustratingly hard

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EhKayFortyS3v3N

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Edited By EhKayFortyS3v3N

dont have the console but i hope this turns out well whenever. i want it to have a ninjag gaiden feel but with a good story and legit hack and slash feel.

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dietmango

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Edited By dietmango

Ninja Blade? Sounds like a ripoff from Gaiden that's for sure.

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CleverLoginName

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Edited By CleverLoginName

Ninjas and blades, this game delivers.

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Ontheocho

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Edited By Ontheocho

Kirkland Brand Ninja Gaiden

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Scooper

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Edited By Scooper

Ninja Blade.

I am here, right now, typing the word 'Ninja Blade'.

I feel some-what dirty.

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deactivated-59f3d7ebf1863

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I think the only difference between this and ninja gaiden is that this will be easier.

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Sharpshooter

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Edited By Sharpshooter

I guess mircosoft is going with the motto "If it ain't broke......rip it off and see how much money we can get out of it"

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SleepyDoughnut

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Edited By SleepyDoughnut

lol @ Zergvasion 'pirate blade' should be made into a game!

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laozen

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Edited By laozen

It may be a good game, but it's weird that the main character's name is Ken (confirmed on IGN)

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Paul

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Edited By Paul

Somewhere, deep in Microsoft: 

"Ok Jim. We have Ninjas, and we have swords. Hell, we have FUCKING swords. But I want to make this unique, ok? I want to put in... Boobs."

It's a whole new world. 
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TheWesman

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Edited By TheWesman

My main complaint with all games in general is their lack of ninjas.  So seeing another game based around Ninjas is ok with me!

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stunik

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Edited By stunik

Why don't they just go the whole hog and call it ..." GRRRRR Ninja blade !!! "

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Trilogy

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Edited By Trilogy

Well. Racing games look like other racing games and ninja games are probably gonna look like other ninja games.


As long as it's good, I'll be happy to give it a play.

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Lies

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Edited By Lies

Man, I was all over that page last night.

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Crono

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Edited By Crono

That ninja is rockin the jock strap on his head.

He looks like a dork who takes himself too seriously.  He looks like a codpiece and Solid Snake got in a fight.  The codpiece won.

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NamelessTed

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Edited By NamelessTed

@zig, I officially "oh snap" your comment since HTTenrai is denying you.

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Geno

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Edited By Geno

The enemies will all be pirate-themed?

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Arrers

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Edited By Arrers

This looks like it's ripping off Ninja Gaiden, but let's be thankful this ninja doesn't copy Ryu's horrificly tight outfit. 

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gamer_152

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Edited By gamer_152  Moderator

Everybody is saying this looks exactly like Ninja Gaiden, but I disagree. The protagonist's arms in this game look marginally shorter than Ryu's.

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GunstarRed

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Edited By GunstarRed

tenchu- z developer huh... this game is obviously going to be of the highest quality *cough*

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HTTenrai

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Edited By HTTenrai
Zig, you can't "oh snap" yourself! It's bad form.
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Replica23

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Edited By Replica23

Hopefully Ninja Blade actually lets you play as a Ninja instead of a balls out slasher...

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OmegaPirate

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Edited By OmegaPirate

Ninja? - check
Blade? - Check

Now - what shall we call this mofo??............