Not all previews of the soon-to-be releases Ninja Gaiden II have been glowing. According to impressions from Next Gen: Edge the game is cursed with a major design flaw, a bad camera.
"This isn't a problem with it getting caught on a corner occasionally, nor the odd confusing switch of perspective. It is a constant problem: obscuring foes, breaking up combos, losing track of Ryu, and flicking back and forth between positions."
While this isn't the first preview we've read citing the camera as an issue, previous impressions came from older builds of the game, however the most recent build shown at press events was the final code. So are we in for heartbreak when Ninja Gaiden II drops next month?
While the preview does praise Ninja Gaiden II for being one of the best 3D fighting engines ever made, they wonder how Team Ninja got the basic design of camera control utterly wrong. Remembering the original Ninja Gaiden had camera issues, is this something you'll be able to deal with or did this just break the deal for you and cancel that Ninja Gaiden II pre-order?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-20-2008 @ 12:55PM
cadaver said...
The first ninja gaiden had camera issues too... but what kind of ninja is not aware of his surroundings...
At this exact moment 7 other people are posting the same thing I am.
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5-20-2008 @ 3:12PM
BananaBoat said...
That's exactly what I was going to post. If the camera in the first game didn't put me off, it won't in the second game.
I can understand where a non-ninja gaiden fan would be coming from with that complaint, but look at it from the developers point of view.... with action THAT fast, how the hell could you ever hope to keep the camera in the proper position (when the proper position changes 100 times a second). No other game comes anywhere close to the speed of Ninja Gaiden, and considering that, I think the camera system implemented now is the best that they could possibly implement.
5-20-2008 @ 1:03PM
Drewtlo said...
Cancel my preorder? Not a chance.
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5-20-2008 @ 1:05PM
GechiDan3000 said...
in the first camera controling the camera was half the battle but i didnt mind it. Am sure its not that bad. I for one can not wait for this game gta 4 was too easy i need something hardcore
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5-20-2008 @ 1:11PM
ryan said...
exactly, i took "camera controlling being half the battle" as "being aware of your surroundings in battle".
you can punch and kick in a fight, but being aware yourself is part of surviving that fight.
i like the NG camera, it's more intimate for a fighter and not some over the head god camera (god of war) that steals any sense of street brawling.
5-20-2008 @ 1:07PM
ryan said...
if the camera is anything like the first one (which from actual movie video it looks to be) than i'll be fine with it in NG2.
and why is it "worth mentioning" the xbox advertisements in the game(NY level no doubt)? did he expect PS3 ads?
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5-20-2008 @ 1:10PM
Will L. said...
I thought they were using the updated camera from the hurrican pack where you could control the camera. I thought there was no problem with the camera in ninja guiden black which used the same camera from the hurrican pack. They must have just forgot to click the thumb stick to activate it. : /
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5-20-2008 @ 1:15PM
ryan said...
they didn't it's still in there. this has been the only big complaint so far about the camera. i mean it's almost the topic of the preview. i think it's just the previewer and not something on the game's behalf.
5-20-2008 @ 1:11PM
Jonman said...
Ninja schminja.
Wasn't looking forward to this anyway.
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5-20-2008 @ 1:17PM
ryan said...
that's great?
glad you took the time to click the topic and give your opinion?
5-20-2008 @ 3:33PM
Jonman said...
Back at'cha.
5-20-2008 @ 1:12PM
Tony said...
I had read it was basically the same as in the last game... and personally I didn't have much of a problem with it. I think I'll live.
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5-20-2008 @ 9:36PM
john paul said...
I played and loved DMC4. The camera anglesndidnt really bother me. though alexander (and millions of others) will disagree
5-20-2008 @ 1:13PM
aBs said...
No way, I just think the guy sucks enough. You have to be fast and always know the next move ahead of the game.
I haven't preordered because I do not like preorders but you can bet your ass I will be first in line to buy this game.
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5-20-2008 @ 4:02PM
Knight Marquise said...
Actually, that was my thought as well....the guy likely just gets his teeth kicked in by this game, and previous NG games. It certainly wasn't a game for the casual crowd.
5-20-2008 @ 1:16PM
MedRed said...
grrr. that was my only gripe on the last game. I was constantly fighting the camera. It's not a deal breaker but it is extremely ANNOYING! Team Ninja... WTF?
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5-20-2008 @ 1:20PM
ryan said...
i had no problems with the camera only with the Boss minion battles where the camera would constantly fix on the boss giving you no clear view of the minion who was attacking you off screen.
but it looks like they fixed that with the newer panoramic view.
5-20-2008 @ 1:17PM
JRHAD said...
didnt people not like overlord for the same reason?
wonky cameras wont cancel MY Pre- Order.
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5-20-2008 @ 1:21PM
Trogdor said...
I never really minded the camera in the first one, I beat it 3 times and once on the hardest difficulty, so I think I'll be fine.
I think this guy just sucked at the game and wanted to blame it on the camera.
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5-21-2008 @ 11:09AM
Player1 said...
Agreed. These are just the excuses of a Ninja Dog.