 |
| OVERALL RATING |
3.0 |
| Presentation |
 |
3.0 |
| Control |
 |
3.5 |
| Gameplay |
|
3.0 |
| Fun factor |
|
3.0 |
| User Rating |
 |
3.0 |
 |
Posted: April 01, 2005
Little NinjaKing is the second adventure for IECOM’s masked hero. In his first mobile game, then known as NinjaKid, he rescued his kingdom’s Princess from the dark temple of a mystical dragon. This time around, that dragon has returned and attacked a small village that held the magical scrolls of wisdom. It’s now up to NinjaKing to retrieve these scrolls by heading to Wuang Chong Tower and defeat the dragon once and for all.
Little NinjaKing is a platform game that features 12 levels plus the final Boss battle. The levels are placed in three environments and have obstacles that range from other ninjas to spiders to falling guillotines. You can use your sword to take care of them. Power-ups scattered throughout include extra health and yingyang symbols to increase your sword’s strength.
Each level has a different configuration but the action remains very similar throughout. First find the key, destroy enemies along the way, and then find the exit door to the next level. You can destroy walls and activate elevators to open up paths or push boxes to help you jump higher. The levels themselves aren’t too large, and are mainly vertical, but you’ll find yourself going back and forth searching all possible areas to find the key and the path to continue climbing the tower.
Each environment has a unique look but the color palette used doesn’t vary much from level to level. Character illustrations are well done though not completely fluid. As far as the enemy AI goes, it basically consists of running into you if you don’t strike them first or appearing just at the right time when in the middle of a critical jump. There is very little audio to speak of and it only consists of starting and ending music.
Little NinjaKing is, in a few words, a clear-cut platform game very reminiscent of the 8-Bit era. There aren’t many mechanics involved and the difficulty consists of just finding your way through. Some of the obstacles and level design add a little flair but overall it remains easy and repetitive. It does have its charm and if you loved games such as China Gate mixed with a little of The Tower of Druaga, then you might enjoy it.
