Mark of the Ninja Review [Xbox 360]
A smart, sleek and surprisingly deep take on the stealth platformer that pulls the ninja away from their action tropes and back in the shadows, where they belong.
rating:4
Its been a while since the ninja has been in the spotlight for the right reasons namely, for being out of the spotlight. Mark of the Ninja remedies this with a visually striking, 2D stealth experience that joins the staples of ninjitsu lore with fluid mechanics and thoughtful design. This Xbox Live Arcade exclusive is one stylishly violent lesson in precision, creativity and patience that deserves your attention. Mark of the Ninja tells the story of the Hisomu clan, an order of ninjas surviving in the shadows of the modern world who have come under fire from a group of mercenaries and their hi-tech weaponry. You are chosen to accept the titular mark a mystic tattoo granting mythical power at the price of sanity in order to exact revenge and uphold the clans honor before it drives you to homicidal madness. That power is potent, though it hinges on your ability to avoid detection as you carve your way through each stage. Darkness renders you nearly invisible while you snake between vantage points although careless movements emit rings of sound that alert those nearby to your presence, prompting them to investigate. Remaining hidden is important in Mark of the Ninja, because its not just your best defense, its your only one and youre remarkably fragile.
Avoiding detection isnt just a defensive practice, your power stems from the ability to strike and retreat, attacking from various angles through endless combinations of tools and techniques. Dropping into a room full of mercenaries is dangerous, but breaking the light with a well-placed dart could distract them long enough for you to pounce, slicing a throat and dangling the body from the rafters to terrify the others. This title succeeds by conjuring up an impressive 2D playground, providing you an arsenal of progressively awesome tools and leaving you to your own devices. Your job is to complete the objectives without getting killed how you do that, is up to you. Mark of the Ninja is undeniably sleek, crafted through clean lines, bold colors and strong shadows, breathing life into a setting that could have easily turned out muted and dim. The animated cut-scenes are especially appealing, evoking strong imagery that adds another layer of storytelling beyond the voiced narration. Violence depicted is graphic but tastefully stylized and it never crosses the border into gory which is impressive considering the inherent dirtiness of ninja business. 
The plot is told through voice overs that are mostly effective despite a liberal dose of the venerated sensei that flirts with cliché, occasionally coming across as hokey. The rest of the cast is great, employing a slew of different accents which lead to interesting mixes of character. The familiar tone of an Australian mercenary clashes with the reserved poise of the Japanese businessman but my favorite is the decidedly Canadian guard who hears a sound and decides that he had, better go check it oot. Beyond the respectable and surprisingly deep plot line, Mark of the Ninja excels in the area that Xbox Live Arcade games have really shined as a competitive score chase with your friends. Though multiplayer is non-existent, each level maintains a leaderboard that records your points and ranks you against other players. Points are awarded for disrupting or distracting your enemies, hiding bodies, finding collectibles and generally remaining undetectable while you assassinate your way toward completing objectives. Along with accumulating these points, performing optional feats and finding haiku clan scrolls earns you Honor which is essentially credit toward unlocking new abilities and tools. Honor is vital because as you progress through the campaign youre given the option to purchase devastating and crafty new skills that allow you to tackle each situation in interesting ways, completely changing the flow of a level. 
Diversity is ingrained in Mark of the Ninja, so much so that its possible to choose an entirely nonlethal route, which carries its own unique incentives and challenges. These varied play styles are complimented by different sets of armor that enhance abilities while restricting others. Equip armor that muffles the sound of your movements at the cost of your sword or select the gear that terrifies your victims and become a living nightmare. The variety of these options means that you can play and replay each level with a new series of tactics and difficulties for near limitless possibilities. The replay value is increased by a New Game Plus feature thats unlocked once the main plot has been completed which is lengthy given the nature of the gameplay. There has always been a romanticism evoked by the story of the ninja the silent, disciplined master of subterfuge that melds into shadow. Mark of the Ninja taps the vein of that mysticism by delivering an unabashed foray in to the world of stealth assassination while rejecting the notion that power is unconditional. Mechanics reinforce principle in this truly impressive display of cohesion between gameplay and theme, where your greatest enemy is your own impatience. 
Mark of the ninja is a fantastic title that deserves to be played for its sheer value packed into a slick, imaginative and intelligent design. It further blurs the already muddied line between a console and digital offering, priced conveniently at 1200 Microsoft points. Mark of the Ninja is a must own not just for animation buffs, stealth-action fans or ninja enthusiasts, but for anyone that enjoys great games. 