Review: Mini Ninjas

I could be mistaken, but I believe Mini Ninjas is the first game I’ve played in which defeating an opponent turns them into small woodland creatures.

This charming game has you battling a band of evil samurai who are changing the small animals of the world into minions of the army bent on controlling the world.

You play as Hiro, a small apprentice ninja who has a gift for performing Kuji magic, giving him skills necessary to take on the hordes and restore harmony to the world.

The game is painted with bright, vibrant colors and couched in lilting music that soothes and refreshes. With the little ninjas and samurai drawn so darn cute, it’s hard to resist wanting to play often.

Having sent all of his other ninjas to battle the evil Samurai, the ninja master is left with Hiro, who can control magic and fight with his adorable little katani blades. Sent out on his mission, he must free the other ninjas, find plants and herbs to make potions and search for Kuji shrines, which reveal new spells.

First of his fellow ninjas is Futo, a large mini-ninja wielding a hammer for massive damage.

The rest are Suzume, who can hypnotize enemies with her flute; Shun, master archer; Tora, equipped with blades on his fingers and who thinks he is a tiger and Kunoichi, an acrobat with a spear.

Each of the other ninjas, once found, can be used in combat but the others can’t use magic, making Hiro the main character through much of the game.

Some of the magic he can perform includes inhabiting animals, allowing you to bound about as a cat or a warthog or even a monkey. Possessing the animals is also useful, since they are better able to sense the flora necessary for potions.

Also, you can cast attack spells, like ice storm, which freezes enemies and tornado, to sweep up enemies.

The game goes out of its way to add endearing touches. Like the cute pitter-patter of the little ninja feet when the ninjas run and the adorable way Shun hangs from eaves of houses when shooting arrows. There’s also the “camouflage” spell, which allows you to appear as a bush and the “essence of the fish” potion, which turns you into a koi fish to sneak up on foes.

The game features fishing, a game mechanic not used much these days. Catching koi gives you sushi to recharge your health. To cross rivers, your hat converts to a boat.

There is no bloodshed at all in the game, with enemies just “poofing” into animals when defeated. Evil spellcasters can turn them back, until you defeat them., leaving behind energy and experience spheres.

Bosses are also cute, including one specializing in a farting attack. Hiro can also mix a potion that can give him the same ammo.

Mini Ninjas is a polished gem of a game. I hope it doesn’t get lost in the hubbub of the fall game crush.

Platform: Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii Rating: Everyone Manufacturer: Eidos Score: 8.5 adorable chilies