Yet another Preview from PSM Sega's Shinobi was released late last year to millions of fans who remembered the series' glorious arcade days. While it was a decent platformer, there were a few flaws: The gameplay was repetitive, there were no in-game checkpoints, and the cameraman consumed a little too much saké . Unwilling to dissappoint its fans, Sega is back with vengance - and a Kunochi, a female ninja. Nightshade is essentially Shinobi's sister game. It turns out that after Hotsuma's victory at the end of the first title, another interdimensonal rift opened and a group of demons invaded Tokyo. Not too keen on the idea of their beautiful city being overrun from rejects of hell, the government summons Hibana, a femme fetalle with looks as sharp as her swords. Nightshade will certainly draw comparisons to the original, but Sega has promised a substantial list of Improvements. Hibana can move faster, fly higher, and dish out more damage than Hotsuma and packing an inproved combat system w/ new techniques that lets her string together attacks almost endlessly. Hibana also knows Hotsuma's famous \"stealth dash\" ability, and can run rings around opponents, slipping in and out of reach with the touch of a button. No ninja title would be complete w/o a healty dose of mystical energy, and Hibana can preform attacks to fill up a new Chakra Gauge that will unleash gorgeous, screen clearing magic. As to be expected, surviving environmental hazards is half the challenge and half the fun of the Shinobi titles, and Nightshade is no different: battles will take place ontop industrial cranes, moving trains, and even fighter jets. Look for this one soon.
