Let's Play a Game: "Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom" (NES)

In this episode we'll be playing Ninja Gaiden 3 for the NES.
Not sure if this one is more difficult than the second or first, but it's still super fun !

"Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom" marks the conclusion of Ryu Hayabusa's trilogy on the Nintendo Entertainment System, further enhancing the series' reputation for demanding gameplay, intricate storytelling, and action-platforming. Developed by Tecmo, this game rounds out the classic NES saga of the ninja.

The game was released in Japan on June 21, 1991, as "Ninja Ryukenden III: Yomi no Hakobune" (忍者龍剣伝III 黄泉の方船), with its North American release following in August 1991, and later in Europe under the title "Shadow Warriors III: Ninja Gaiden" in 1992. The directorial role was taken by Masato Kato, who had been instrumental in designing the gameplay of the previous games.

"Ninja Gaiden III" continues the action-platformer genre, once again featuring Ryu Hayabusa. This time, Ryu battles against a new enemy, Foster, who has released ancient demons from a cursed ship, the Ancient Ship of Doom. The game introduces new gameplay elements like the Windmill Throwing Star, which allows for extended attacks, alongside returning mechanics such as wall jumping and cinematic cutscenes. The difficulty remains high, maintaining the series' notorious challenge.

The narrative of "Ninja Gaiden III" takes Ryu to new locations around the world, including New York City and Brazil, as he seeks to stop Foster and the demons he has unleashed. The story is filled with dramatic moments and plot twists, continuing the series' tradition of cinematic storytelling within the constraints of 8-bit technology.

Upon release, "Ninja Gaiden III" was met with mixed reviews. It was praised for its varied gameplay, with new weapons and the level of challenge it offered. However, it received criticism for being somewhat less innovative than its predecessors, with some feeling the story and graphics hadn't evolved significantly. It still managed to achieve a respectable #20 spot on Nintendo Power's "Top 30" list, indicating sustained popularity among fans.

This final chapter in the NES trilogy didn't end the "Ninja Gaiden" series but rather concluded Ryu's journey on the platform. The game's influence can be seen in later iterations of the franchise, particularly in how it expanded on the series' lore and gameplay mechanics. The "Ninja Gaiden" series continued to evolve with later entries on different platforms, often revisiting and reimagining elements from these early games.

"Ninja Gaiden III" on the NES, while not universally lauded as its predecessors, played an essential role in the series' legacy, offering a conclusion to Ryu's story on the system that brought him fame. It contributed to the cultural impact of video games by demonstrating how narrative and gameplay could evolve together, even within the limitations of the NES hardware, leaving a lasting imprint on action games and storytelling in gaming.