Description

"Shinobi Legions," also known as "Shinobi X" in Europe and "Shinobi Gaiden" in Japan, is an action-packed side-scrolling platformer developed for the Sega Saturn console. Released in 1995, the game is part of the famous Shinobi series and features a blend of traditional ninja-themed gameplay with a unique visual style. Players step into the role of Sho, a ninja warrior who must rescue his kidnapped sister Aya from the clutches of the evil ninja Zeed and his minions. Throughout the game, players traverse various levels filled with enemies, using a combination of sword attacks, shurikens, and special ninjutsu abilities to defeat foes and overcome obstacles.

One of the distinct features of "Shinobi Legions" is its use of digitized actors for character sprites and full-motion video (FMV) cutscenes, a trend popular in some video games during the mid-90s. These real actors placed against pre-rendered backgrounds gave the game a distinct visual flair that differentiated it from other games in the series. Despite mixed reviews about the implementation of digitized graphics, the gameplay retained the classic fast-paced action and challenging sequences that fans of the Shinobi series had come to appreciate. Additionally, the game provided players with multiple paths through levels, which added to its replay value, making it a remembered yet niche title in the Sega Saturn’s library.

Gameplay

Shinobi Legions - Gameplay

Close