Sega first introduced "Shinobi" as a harder-than-average arcade game, and the name became synonymous with ninja -- the stealth, star-throwing warriors.
But looking at Sega's new "Shinobi" for PlayStation2, one would think that the basic nature of ninja has changed. This latest game has merged the art of ninjitsu with the exploits elite soldiers. The results are mixed.
Shinobi follows the exploits of Hotsuma, the ninja/leader of the Oboro Clan. However, Hotsuma seems like a ninja in name only. Unlike the traditional ninja, who wore all black, moved through the shadows, and caught enemies unaware, Hotsuma wears a flashy gray outfit accented with a six-meter long, bright red scarf. He runs along walls in that "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" sort of sprint. He doesn't fly, but he's got this faster-than-sight dash, and he can dash in midair for especially long leaps.