Ghost Ninja: Zombie Beatdown Review – 16-Bit side-scrolling action
App Type: Uncategorized
Our rating: 
By: Gabagool Games
Version #: 1.0.9
Date Released: 2011-09-16
Developer: Gabagool Games
Price: 0.99
User Rating:
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Often, iPhone games try almost too hard to be cutting edge and quirky, leading to lame games that are unique only due to the fact that they are hopelessly random. In this mess of quirkiness, it’s easy to forget what games used to be like back in the 16-Bit days. Well, Ghost Ninja: Zombie Beatdown is here to remind us.
The plot sees a high school kid, Mark, having to get in touch with his ninja bloodline, then use his sword, throwing stars and magic abilities to prevent a zombie apocalypse. It is a challenging, side-scrolling game reminiscent of Shinobi on the Sega Mega Drive, with its pleasingly pixelated graphics caressing my nostalgia.
Just because it’s ‘old school’ though, doesn’t make Ghost Ninja the perfect game. The digital control pad tends to be unresponsive, and all the buttons too small for my thumbs (which I like to think are quite slender). In a game where perfectly timing your jumps and swiping your sword is essential, this leads to some frustrating moments.
Layered on top of the old-school gameplay is a decidedly new-school variety of magic abilities for your character to use. After the first level, where all your precious magic gets stolen by some witch bitch, you can purchase magic abilities in a shop at the end of each level. Abilities consist of such joyous things as spirit puddles which suck zombies into the abyss, and turning your character into a living tornado.
The gameplay may sometimes be a bit on the slow side, but this is a welcome contrast to the dominant trend of frantic iPhone games that keep your attention for 3 minutes before you risk having a brain aneurysm. It’s far from perfect, but offers up some refreshingly old-school gameplay, all complimented by global leaderboards and a plethora of achievements.
Quick Take
Value:Medium.
Would I Buy Again:Yes.
Learning Curve:Medium - you'll need to adapt to the old-school gameplay.
Who Is It For:People of the SNES and Mega Drive generation. Nostalgics.
What I Like:Old-school graphics complemented by a decent upgrade system.
What I Don't Like:Clumsy and sometimes unresponsive controls.
Final Statement:A tough, old-fashioned platformer that, refreshingly, doesn't try to be all kooky and quirky.
ghost -Was Featured on "New and Noteworthy"
Note: Not Recommended for iPhone 2G or iPod 1st gen.
STORY
Don't you hate it when you're about to meet up with your girlfriend, and you think "Going see my girl and all will be well. No zombie's or anything." But guess what? ZOMBIES! Plus she's been captured. Now your ghostly ancient great grandpa Endo from Japan shows up and he's all, "You caused this!", and you’re all, "NOOOOOHH!” He's telling you it’s all your fault and now YOU have to save Amber AND THE WORLD! You know, that old thing.
Mark has accidentally unleashed Onryo, a witch from ancient Japan who's the sworn nemesis his ancient grandpa Endo.
I know what you’re thinking. "How do I stand a chance against a growing horde of zombies and the evil Onryo looming in the shadows of my darkest fears?!" So do you go back to your bed and hide like yella-belly, lily livered varmint? Or use your training, katana, shuriken, double jump, and magic to slice up some zombies?...No, you don't go to bed!.. that was... I was trying to... come on! You take out some zombies.
GAMEPLAY
In this homage to classic 90's 2D RETRO ACTION, you'll be armed with ninja stars and a ghost blade; perfect for chopping and slicing zombies into meat salads. Especially with the new JOYPAD support. You’ll also have magic ninja spells that can summon a group of ancient Japanese ghosts and demons that will fight alongside you. Not to mention collecting cash you can use to upgrade your abilities and magic powers.
Different levels will have various UNIQUE GAMEPLAY modes, vivid level art, and three very distinct difficulty modes with tons of UNLOCKABLES. Oh and did I mention an intense story packed with drama, voice acting, dripping SARCASM and HUMOR right 'til the shocking end with 2 optional endings. Don't be alarmed but your head may of just exploded!
RPG ASPECTS:
When you complete the game, all your collected items, magic, score and upgrades will go with you to the next difficulty. Your character will continue to grow as you play even after you’ve finished the game on each difficulty.
3 DIFFICULTIES MODES:
Here are just some of the differences for each difficulty:
* Number of hits to kill an enemy.
* The number of enemies and obstacles per level increases.
* Zombie enemies will change in many ways.
* Magic becomes a strategic tool on Hard and Beatdown mode. One hit kills most enemies.
* Total health increases and game play differs for each Boss.
SUMMARY:
So 8 levels with 3 different difficulty modes giving currently 24 levels of different game play and once you complete the Beatdown difficulty you will unlock Cheat Mode.
FEATURES
* Joypad support.
* Facebook Connect.
* Heyzap support.
* Total Score and Level Score Leaderboard.
* Fling Mini Compatible
* Side and vertical scrolling, zombie slashing, action adventure gameplay with RPG elements.
* 3 difficulty modes: Normal, Hard and Beatdown.
* Sword combo attacks.
* Throw 2 types of ninja stars with a swipe.
* 6 MAGIC SPELL ATTACKS to summon ancient Japanese ghosts and demons.
* Lots of zombie type enemies.
* Stunning graphics and animations.
* Awesomerrific original music tracks and sound effects.
* Fabtabulous voice acting with cut scenes.
* Tons of unlockable achievements, items and voice acting bloopers.
* Intuitive virtual game pad with touch screen controls.
* Level pick up items.
* Level bosses.
* 2 alternate endings.
VISIT US: www.GabagoolGames.com
FOLLOW US: twitter.com/GabagoolGames
LIKE US: www.facebook.com/zombiebeatdown
Screenshots
Article By Robert Zak
I'm an up-and-coming freelance writer (or so I like to think) specialising in film, apps and gaming. Aside from writing app reviews on what sometimes feels like a mass scale, I've also contributed work to The Independent and IGN.com, and am on the writing team of the popular Lifestyle blog, WhatCulture.com. Like what you see? Follow me on Twitter @Rob_Zed and get in touch!
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