Nightshade

 PlayStation 2
Nightshade Image
Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 39 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 25 Ratings

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  • Summary: As menacing demons and monsters fill the city of Tokyo, panicked government officials call upon the extreme cunning and power of a new ninja talent named Hibana. The amazing skills of this young female fighter earned her respect at an early age and she was offered masterful training from oneAs menacing demons and monsters fill the city of Tokyo, panicked government officials call upon the extreme cunning and power of a new ninja talent named Hibana. The amazing skills of this young female fighter earned her respect at an early age and she was offered masterful training from one of the Oboro Clan's most esteemed warriors. With sharp precision and incredible speed, Hibana battles fierce enemies atop a moving fighter jet, trucks, and more, while narrowly dodging enemy missiles. Her mastery of the ancient Tate Attack allows her to slay an unlimited number of enemies at once. With the Stealth Dash, she leaves her shadowy likeness behind as she runs circles around her lumbering enemies, which confuses them and makes them vulnerable to her fatal sword blows. Hibana alone must power through 13 incredible, destructible environments to defeat hordes of Hellspawn newly awakened by the ancient Akujiki curse. [Sega]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 39
  3. Negative: 3 out of 39
  1. Gamezilla!
    90
    After spending a fairly short amount of time with the game, I found the controls very smooth, but what really makes this game such a blast to play is the inventive combat system.
  2. PSM Magazine
    80
    Improves on "Shinobi" in every respect, resulting in a fast-paced, pure action game with a fresh feel to its gameplay that's unique in a genre lacking in new ideas. [Apr 2004, p.32]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Gamer's Pulse
    78
    With an improved control scheme and fluid action, the game fixes the problems plaguing the first title. Unfortunately, the action is broken up by unnecessary and frustrating platform challenges forced upon by linear level design.
  4. GMR Magazine
    70
    Two words: bottomless pits. That foul design element, which should have been eradicated from gaming's lexicon decades ago, shows up in Nightshade - and with maddening regularity. [Apr 2004, p.88]
  5. TotalPlayStation
    70
    Yes, the addition of checkpoints eases the frustration, but only a bit. This is a series that can absolutely end up being great, but to get there, it still needs a better scope on varied (and, hopefully, jaw-slackeningly beautiful) level design and for the love of God, Sega, fix that damned camera.
  6. 1UP
    60
    The final problem for me is that Nightshade doesn't provide nearly enough of an incentive to rise to the challenge.
  7. Gaming Age
    25
    Everything just ends up being so boring and predictable.

See all 39 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 12
  3. Negative: 2 out of 12
  1. KyleD.
    Oct 9, 2004
    10
    I think this was a great addition to anyone who loves games like onimusha and such. and the person who gave this a 2 can't even spell SHINOBI.
  2. Rockernightrider
    Feb 8, 2004
    10
    Sega ubber alles! nightshade is so almighty bad ass beat-em-up! nigtshade rules !
  4. Rockernightrider
    Feb 8, 2004
    10
    Sega ubber alles! nightshade is so almighty bad ass beat-em-up! nigtshade rules !
  5. Nancy
    Jul 19, 2005
    7
    It's still a great game but it got overly complicated from its predecessor with so many things you have to find inorder to unlock stuff It's still a great game but it got overly complicated from its predecessor with so many things you have to find inorder to unlock stuff plus getting all the scrolls and health power-ups etc. I would have liked to see it more like Shinobi simple hack and slash ninja action!… Expand
  6. Alex_Pilgrim008
    Mar 26, 2023
    7
    This sequel to the PS2's "Shinobi" reboot is less difficult, but also less exciting. It's a less inspired, more generic action game. However,This sequel to the PS2's "Shinobi" reboot is less difficult, but also less exciting. It's a less inspired, more generic action game. However, fans of fast and stylish arcade-style action will have a blast. The cinematics are good and the gameplay is fun, if a bit repetitive. For an early 2000's ninja-themed action game, you could do worse. I would rate "Nightshade" with a 7.7 out of 10.… Expand
  7. Sp!racy
    Sep 11, 2007
    7
    An above average follow-up to Shinobi. Nightshade's visuals and control scheme are tops, however the camera option could of been better. An above average follow-up to Shinobi. Nightshade's visuals and control scheme are tops, however the camera option could of been better. I hate having to readjust every five minutes while leaping from truck to truck in stage 6 and then again in stage 9 and 10. The difficulty ranges from managable to "my god!! what have i done to deserve this!", which isn't so bad if you have patience and above average reflexes. I'm not too keen on the "gotta catch em all" philosophy for unlocking bonus items, but that's another issue altogether.… Expand
  8. GiuseppeA.
    Mar 13, 2004
    0
    Junk !

See all 12 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

92
#92 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2004