Comment with Facebook

Comment with Dtoid

Comment with Facebook

Comment with Dtoid

games anime | toys
This is a Destructoid readers's blog. For staff blogs click here. Confused? read this Create you own Dtoid blog, it's free! | Returning members: Login now

[ Anarpis's blog ]

Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword is a Four-Hour Game
Anarpis \| 7:46 AM on 10.08.2007	15 comments

Straight from Team NINJA boss, Tomonobu Itagaki:

"Right now we're looking at an overall playtime of about four hours or so for a single play through. This is something I've put a lot of thought into. At first I wanted to make it 15 hours long or something like that. But then I realized it'd be better to approach it as the kind of game you'd want to go through multiple times."

Why?

"One method to motivate people to continue to play will be the leaderboards; [playing] to try and get a higher score and ranking. Another thing is that we think we have something that's really fun to play. We want to take the way the game feels and take it to a narcotic level. You know how DOA is fun to play even if you lose? Because it's just fun to control the characters -- we want to take Dragon Sword to that level, so you feel like you just don't want to put it down."

I can't say I agree with this idea... playing through the same levels over and over again just improve your rank on a leaderboard? Even if the game is the funnest thing ever, playing through the same levels repeatedly sounds very unappealing. I don't know about you, but that 15 hour game he mentioned sounds pretty sweet right now.

(quotes via 1up)

Is this post awesome? Vote it up!

Click connect and comment instantly!

New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

15 comments | showing # 1 to 15

BlindsideDork says:
(# 0) on 10/08/2007 07:55

If the game is fun, I will play it.

Fun game is fun.

Buster says:
(# 1) on 10/08/2007 07:56

i agree, fun game is fun(also i will kick all of your asses in the leaderboards

Kryptinite says:
(# 2) on 10/08/2007 07:59

I still want it. The only reason I agree with the idea is because it's a mobile game, I rarely put 8-15 hours into a mobile game. I think that's where developers of mobile games go wrong when they try to make a mobile game the equivalent time and length of a regular console game.

linuxguy says:
(# 3) on 10/08/2007 08:01

4 hours?! WTF seriously don't waste a cartridge

BlindsideDork says:
(# 4) on 10/08/2007 08:02

My DS is like a portable console. I can play it on the go, on the pot, in bed or on the couch. It is sweet.

Good game is good.

Cowzilla3 says:
(# 5) on 10/08/2007 08:11

I have no problem with the length as long as its awesome. To tell you the truth I haven't played a game in a while that made me really want to go back adn charge through it again, so hopefully this will be like that. Especially nice for a portable system where you might just be like "oh ill just bring Ninja Gaiden, thats fun to do a level in."

Mxyzptlk says:
(# 6) on 10/08/2007 08:11

I don't really have a problem with this. Every game doesn't need to be 10-15 hours. If it's four hours of fun I want to play repeatedly, I'm down for that.

JACK of No Trades says:
(# 7) on 10/08/2007 08:17

I wouldn't mind if the game is only 4 hours as long as they put all of the old Ninja Gaiden titles for a bonus.

BlindsideDork says:
(# 8) on 10/08/2007 08:21

no.

Tempus says:
(# 9) on 10/08/2007 08:22

Ninjas on DS ftw regardless of length or girth.

blehman says:
(# 10) on 10/08/2007 09:23

lol @ tempus.

Also, if it's fun f it. I can already get my FF fix if I want to play a long game. Short fun game is short fun.

Variable Gear says:
(# 11) on 10/08/2007 09:59

Dragon Sword is the casual-focused teen-rated little brother of the hardcore-focused and mature-Rated Ninja Gaiden 2, so why were you surprised by this?

Every arcade game worth its salt has taken advantage of the leaderboard/scoring mechanic to inspire multiple playthroughs and I will wait until the game comes out to judge it on its length and/or girth.

And as BlindsideDork says: "Good game is good," not "Long game is good." Long does not equal good. Especially in action games.

ShawnKelfonne says:
(# 12) on 10/08/2007 10:16

If you were good enough with the original Ninja Gaiden on the NES, you could finish that in less than 4 hours. Key point being if you were good enough.

king3vbo says:
(# 13) on 10/08/2007 11:27

fun game or not, 4 hours is waaaay to short

LostCrichton says:
(# 14) on 10/08/2007 12:21

4 hours of a good, fun game is decent for a handheld title I think.

Click connect and comment instantly!

get involved

register or login
post a blog
post a forum
enter a contest
contribute a news tip
suggest a feature
be a guest editor

support

new member's guide
login assistance
tech support
report abuse
email our editors
read our dev blog
nuclear crisis?

keep in touch

RSS feed
Twitter
Facebook
Myspace
Flickr
Game nights
Meetup+play online

seriously

about Destructoid
advertising
terms of use
privacy policy
jobs at MM
buy our crap

our network

Tomopop
Japanator
Despingation?

Destructoid is an independently-run publication forged by our love of video games and the gaming community's need of accountable enthusiast press
living the dream since March 16, 2006

New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

Comments policy

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?

Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!