Ninja Gaiden 3 – “Shadow of the World” Introduction

Today, we’re not talking about Ryu Hayabusa himself, but how to be the top ninja, just like Ryu Hayabusa. Yes, I’m talking about this “Shadows of the World” mode in the game which the player takes on the role of an unknown ninja, taking on trials and challenging other players online to earn Karma and become an ultimate ninja. Online play requires broadband network access and a PlayStation Network account for PlayStation 3 version, or a Xbox Live account for Xbox 360 version.

In the menu of “Shadows of the World” mode, you have:

NINJA TRIALS
- In this mode, you have Solo Trials, which you can play it alone; or you can partner with players around the world to take on the trial in Co-op Trials. By clearing Ninja Trials and certain in-game actions (for example: defeating enemies with Ninpo or Ultimate Techniques), you will earn Karma. By reaching certain levels of Karma, this will raise your ninja’s level and increase the kinds of action he (yeah, he) can perform.

There are many stages you can pick and I have only played the London stage so far. I enjoyed having this co-op battle with some journalists during our media event few weeks ago. But if you asked me, I personally prefer Clan Battle more, which is what I’m going to talk about next.

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CLAN BATTLE
- This mode allows up to 8 players split into 2 teams (Clans) and fight each other. While all Clan Battles start off as team matches, there will occasionally be orders given during the match which change the rules. Apart from showing my love to this mode, I also want to take this opportunity to explain 4 things which you can see from the screen.

1. Health / Ki Gauge
- Your current Health and Ki. When your Health bar is almost drained, you can perform Harakiri (ritual suicide) to “die with honour” – oh yeah, by cutting your own belly, you can prevent your rivals to get the score. I love doing that – only in the game though! As for Ki, when it’s full, you can perform Ninpo!

2. Battle Info
- The score and log of events during the match.

3. Karma Info
- Karma the player has obtained.

4. Shadow Contract
- A contract for a particular job the player is to fulfill. This will be changed from time to time!

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CUSTOMIZE

- Change the appearance of your ninja.

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STATUS
- Display your current status.

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TRAINING
- Well, the title says it all.

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I’ve tried this mode and had such great fun back when I was in San Francisco with @cr and @rc, just how amazing their Twitter names are!! Ninja Gaiden 3 is coming in North America on March 20 and Europe on March 23, for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. More info, make sure you visit the official site @ http://bit.ly/ninjagaiden3 – any questions, tweet @inspchin away!

Warriors Orochi 3 – Crossover Character Introduction, Moveset & Music Theme Showcase

Today I’ll be talking about the crossover characters in Warriors Orochi 3, as well as showcasing their moves and music themes. They are Ryu Hayabusa (from Ninja Gaiden series), Joan of Arc (from Bladestorm: The Hundred Years’ War), Achilles (from Warriors: Legends of Troy), Ayane (from Dead or Alive series) and Nemea (from Trinity: Souls of Zill O’ll).

Ryu Hayabusa
- A young member of the Hayabusa ninja clan, and heir to the Dragon lineage. While battling the forces of evil with the legendary Dragon Sword, he was suddenly dragged into fissure in time and space which appeared at the same time as the Hydra. But even in this alternate universe, he continues his fight against evil.

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Joan of Arc
- Maid of Orleans, and national heroine of France. A kind young woman with a strong sense of justice, she vowed to stand up and fight for the people in France in the Hundred Years’ War. On the field of battle, she saw a unit of her forces sucked into the rift in time and space, and in an attempt to rescue them, she too was transported to this alternate universe.

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Achilles
- The mightiest solder in the Greek Army, feared by enemies and allies alike. Struck by an enemy arrow during the Trojan War and on the verge of death, he strumbled into the fissure in time and space engendered simultaneously with appearance of the Hydra, and found himself transported to the battlefield of Nanzhong.

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Ayane
- Brilliant ninja of the Hajinmon sect, a secretive branch of the Mugen Tenshin clan. While pursuing an enemy after blowing up the DOATEC Tri-Tower at the end of the 4th Dead or Alive Tournament, Ayane is suddenly transported to this alternate universe through a warp in time and space.

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Nemea
- An adventurer who came to fame after defeating the Dark Knights of Vyashion. After inadvertently falling into an interdimensional rift, he has devoted himself stoically to opposing evil in this alternate universe as well.

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Warriors Orochi 3 is coming out in US on March 20, 2012 and EU on March 30, 2012. This game is for both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. No plan for PlayStation 2 or PC releases.