Mini Ninjas

Mini Ninjas is an adorable game that will certainly appeal to younger gamers, while more advanced gamers may only play it for a couple of hours.

Mini Ninjas was a bit of a surprise, I'll be honest. The game didn't receive much hype, and I don't think the name does it any favors. It's not that Mini Ninjas is a particularly bad name, but it does evoke an initial impression that the game might be meant solely for the younger crowd to enjoy.

Even with its simple cartoon Wii-esque visuals and simple child-like gameplay, Mini Ninjas still holds its own, no matter what age you may be.

Combine all of the above with a plentiful array of button mashing moves and abilities, and you’ve got a heck of a lot to play with.

There’s lots to do and that includes side missions that you can skip if you’re immersed in the main story path. And it’s fun in a basic way.

Despite the disappointment of there being no co-op play in Mini Ninjas' campaign, the game does enough to keep players entertained through well mixed gameplay, loveable characters, stylistically beautiful environments, and good humour. The Japanese story is finely applied and a wide audience will enjoy this title, meaning that it fulfils its remit and then some.

It's an enjoyable romp and one that's worth looking into if you've got younger gamers or are looking for a game that will keep you entertained without teasing your frustration levels.

IO Interactive, mostly known for their Hitman series, has made a beautiful, wonderful game which goes straight to the heart. It’s impossible not to love Mini Ninjas and the only real problem with it is the difficulty level. It’s not genre unique, but it’s easy to love.

Even though Mini Ninjas might not be as in-depth or content heavy as its modern peers, it's still a beautiful, fun game that opens up ninja culture to kids.

At first glance it's easy to write Mini Ninjas off as a cute and quirky action adventure game, but the fact of the matter is that there is a surprising level of depth to be found here. With the ability to switch between different ninjas, gathering ingredients for potions and using magic spells in different ways all sum up to an equally cute and varied experience. There are flaws - such as a dodgy camera and a lack of real challenge - but these are not enough to deter from the thoroughly enjoyable experience that is Mini Ninjas.

Mini Ninjas will come as a surprise to many. It is a joy because of its fun and refreshing gameplay elements. The game will suit those who love adventure games the most.

Mini Ninjas is a good action game, entertaining, enjoyable and able to offer some hours of good fun, but far from being one of the great games of the genre.

Mini Ninjas is clearly aimed to a public wanting to enjoy a game without many complications. The nice story and excellent art direction make it a very good game to be played in the family or with friends.

Mini Ninjas really took me by surprise as a servicable "Ninja Gaiden Jr.", despite its problems and short length.

As a result of all the hard work, this is a rewarding game to play and one that everyone should experience.

Mini Ninjas may not succeed in being the best action adventure out there, but it's perfect if you are looking for a relaxing title, to be played with a smile on your face.

Whether you're big or small, there's a lot to like about these little ninjas and their lengthy journey.

A Lighthearted And Entertaining Ninja Adventure.

If you don’t put the cute ninjas and animals under a magnifying glass, you can see a great game underneath the happy exterior . The graphics are ok, and you can see IO has tried to put down a Japanese style for the game. The gameplay is throughout the game pretty much the same thing and a lot of challenge you wont find. But in the end Mini Ninjas is a simple and entertaining game.

If you are looking for a simple yet highly entertaining game which you can enjoy while relaxing, Mini Ninjas is definitely something for you.

A beautiful little game; just a shame that everything is so overly familiar.

If you're looking for a good-spirited hack and slash/exploration game or just something to have a fun time playing with a younger gamer, then be sure to give Mini Ninjas a try.

It’s perfectly pleasant and enjoyable brand of cartoon violence will probably see a good few hours of your time fly by as you swipe your way through adorable, glowing-eyed samurai enemies.

A perfect game for the kids but with enough fun to keep the adults entertained as well. You will never feel too taxed or too engrossed for that matter but the cute charm of the game shines through and means there is plenty of entertainment to be had.

At first glance, a game like Mini Ninjas seems more suitable for casual gamers and children. But when you actually get a chance to play at it, you suddenly realize that you are either the former or the latter… Or both at the same time! In spite of some gameplay limits, this is just plain fun!

The cutscenes are lovely, the dialogue and voice over work stereotypical but fitting, and the soundtrack is a wistful traditional Japanese score that rekindles memories of The Karate Kid. Still, Mini Ninjas will do nothing to quell the growing call from core gamers for IO's "next-gen" Hitman game.

Inoffensive, intelligent and beautifully presented, Mini Ninjas is a refreshing reminder that good game design isn't the preserve of games with guns and swears in. Take advantage of IO's altered state while you can.

At the end of the day you get a pretty good game here, as mentioned it's an adaptation on Nintendo's classic Zelda series with a ninja theme, albeit a little dumbed down, but it's fun while it lasts.

A charming game and, while not that deep, a pleasant surprise if you're just looking for engaging casual fun or are a very casual player open to some deeper gameplay. [Issue#50, p.86]

Mini Ninjas is an action-adventure-rpg with simple gameplay mechanics but with a lot of objects, spells and scrolls to be found. The final product is sometimes funny, but never compelling. That makes Mini Ninjas child-oriented; adults may like the visual style, but won't be entertained by its gameplay.

Mini Ninjas offers an assortment of simple pleasures and its tooth-rottingly sweet presentation wholly endears – but it isn’t sustained, and in places falls disastrously below the watermark.

Do not underestimate Little Ninjas; it is worthy of everyone's time - a beautifully conceived product by all accounts. [Nov 2009, p.116]

Given this and a stab at serious inventiveness, Mini Ninjas might have drawn abreast with LEGO Star Wars, rather than sidling warily around the perimeter of essential purchase.

A decent attempt for a game aimed at kids, though it could have offered more of a challenge and perhaps added in some co-op play.

There's no multiplayer or co-op, and little to see outside of the main story mode, but it's something people of any age could pick up and enjoy.

Mini Ninjas is a likeable want to be, but it´s no more than that. It could be an awesome videogame, but IO Interactive didn’t know how to develop its good and innovative premise.

The best kids' games look great and engage the brain. Sadly Mini Ninjas isn't one of them. [Nov 2009, p.70]

What we've ended up with is a game loaded with promise that sells itself short in the execution. There's no doubt it'll entertain the kids, but it won't challenge them.

As a full-price purchase Mini Ninjas is hard to recommend to anyone other than those keen to snap up some easy Achievement Points by rushing headlong and unimpeded through its lacklustre adventure - for which a rental would be best advised.

While the vibrant visuals, easily manageable combat and light-hearted mood might enamor some, Mini Ninjas is just too repetitive, short and bereft of features to make it stand out.

The game means well but comes short in many ways. The simple graphics showing off peaceful backdrops combined with some relaxing music are the highlight of the experience, but the combat is too simple and boring and there’s too big of an emphasis on it. Plenty of good ideas that players don’t need to use during the game. A shame, really.

Mini Ninjas is an utterly cute and charming game that may not have the complexity and amount of content ‘hardcore’ gamers look for, but anyone who disparages Mini Ninjas for its simplicity is missing the point.