Izuna:
Legend of the Unemployed Ninja is the latest quirky Japanese RPG to come from
Atlus, the company that has made it’s name on bringing some of the most unusual RPGs from overseas to the US. With cult-smash titles like the Shin Megami Tensei
series, Contact, and Disgaea coming from them, you never know what they’re going
to hit you with next.
However,
Izuna, for its witty storyline and distinct manga-style presentation, is a
surprisingly traditional game that wears its old-school heritage on its sleeve.
That said, Izuna isn’t really for everyone, as the difficulty will knock the
snot out of you and may just turn away gamers raised on easier more-recent fare.
Adversely, if you’re a manga fan looking for a hardcore RPG for your DS, then
Izuna could be right up your alley.
Izuna puts
you in the jika-tabi of Izuna, a lazy, shiftless, and somewhat ditzy young ninja
living in a village of ostracized ninjas at peace. Well, things start to get a
little strange in the village, as everyone begins acting a little more childish
than usual. Soon, things get downright out of hand, and Izuna inadvertently
disrupts the balance of the village by disturbing the town’s crystal. She then
becomes an exile, as no one in her village will speak to her and treats her like
poison. This triggers something in her head and she embarks on her quest to make
things right and regain the love of her townsfolk.
Izuna’s
draw comes from its characters and storyline. Izuna is a flighty young woman,
and the things that she says are pretty funny at times. However, the dialogue
and light-hearted story aren’t necessarily reflected in the game’s difficulty.
The game
can be extremely tough, and it’s easy to quickly become overwhelmed by enemies
in a dungeon. This turns the game into a bit of an old school grind, as you’ll
need to level up sufficiently otherwise you’ll get seriously spanked in the
game’s dungeons. Not only that, but it’s extremely unforgiving, as death means
that you’ll lose all of the items, weapons, and magical talismans that you’ve
accumulating in your dungeon exploit.
The battle
system is turn based, but also factors in movement to your turns. As you walk
around the map you use up turn-points, making it then your enemy’s time to
attack. Most of the time, you’ll want to stop moving and then just take them
down, but if you aren’t strong enough or at a high enough level, then you’ll be
defeated.
The
graphics have a distinct classic charm to them, harkening back to the 16-bit
golden age of gaming. The character models are all sprite-based and shown
through a bird’s-eye perspective and the environments are pretty bright and
colorful. The music is pretty cheery and sets the mood for the game, but not
standout in anyway.
Izuna’s
rough difficulty makes it certainly a title that won’t be for everyone. However,
those that can wade through the toughness factor will find a fun and engaging
storyline with a great script.
|
|
Gameplay: 7.0
Old school and
extremely unforgiving, Izuna’s gameplay caters to those looking for an extremely
tough quest and could alienate everyone else.
Graphics: 8.0
Izuna’s style
harkens back to the olden days of RPGs with a definite 16-bit flair, from the
sprites to the environments.
Sound: 7.5
The score is not a
standout one, but works for the game’s lighthearted mood.
Difficulty: Very Hard
The game is very,
very tough and requires a lot of grinding to gain levels to proceed, and
the unforgiving way that you’re stripped of your possessions when you die in a
dungeon makes babies, old people, and video game journalists cry.
Concept: 8.5
Izuna’s storyline
is clever and the dialogue is pretty witty and should be an element that keeps
you engaged in the quest.
Overall: 7.5
Izuna is one
rough quest, and the old-school gameplay and unforgiving difficulty are a stark
contrast to the story’s lighthearted tone. However, if you’re looking for a good
story and one tough cookie, then this one is for you.
