Software:Nightshade (2003 video game)

From HandWiki
For the 8-bit home computer game, see Nightshade (1985 video game). For the Nintendo Entertainment System game, see Nightshade (1992 video game).
Nightshade
Cover art
North American cover art
Developer(s)Sega Wow
Publisher(s)Sega
Director(s)Masahide Kobayashi
Artist(s)Makoto Tsuchibayashi
Composer(s)Fumie Kumatani
Tomonori Sawada
Keiichi Sugiyama
Yutaka Minobe
Teruhiko Nakagawa
Masaru Setsumaru
SeriesShinobi
Platform(s)PlayStation 2
Release
  • JP: December 4, 2003[2]
  • NA: February 10, 2004[1]
  • PAL: March 5, 2004
Genre(s)Action-adventure, hack and slash
Mode(s)Single-player

Nightshade, released in Japan as Kunoichi (くのいち; lit. "female ninja") and stylized in all regions with the kanji 忍 behind the title, is an action video game for the PlayStation 2 (PS2), developed by Overworks[3] and published by Sega in 2003. It is the eleventh game in the Shinobi series and follows the exploits of a female ninja named Hibana. The game is a sequel to the 2002 PS2 game Shinobi.

Story

In Nightshade, the player plays as Hibana, a female counterpart to Shinobi's Hotsuma. She is a government-employed ninja tasked with the elimination of members of the Nakatomi Corporation, which has unwittingly unleashed hellspawn upon futuristic Tokyo. She is also ordered to recover the shards of "Akujiki", the legendary cursed sword that Hotsuma used to seal the hellspawn the last time.

Characters

  • Hibana (緋花)
Voiced by: Atsuko Tanaka (Japanese); Karen Swenson (English)
The main character, Hibana was born to a branch family of the Oboro lineage, but due to being a girl, she was not allowed to vie for leadership of the clan, and was put up for adoption at an early age to a branch of the Oboro. She is a jaded ninja who was abandoned by Jimushi and now works for the government. The government modeled her sword and outfit after Hotsuma's, the main character of the previous game. Hibana also appears in the 3DS crossover role-playing game Project X Zone 2.
  • Jimushi (地蟲)
Voiced by: Sawaki Ikuya (Japanese); Allan Chriest (English)
The Shinobi of Earth and Hibana's former master. One of the Oboro Clan elders, until he seceded and became a government agent. He would become disenchanted with the government and leave, becoming a Nakatomi Mercenary Ninja.
  • Kazaguruma (風車)
Voiced by: Unshō Ishizuka (Japanese); Timothy Enos (English)
The Shinobi of Wind and the first Shinobi who confronts Hibana in Jimushi's gang. An honorable warrior who claims that Hibana is his 1,000th opponent.
  • Onibi (鬼火)
Voiced by: Wataru Takagi (Japanese); Kevin Miller (English)
The Shinobi of Fire and the second Shinobi who confronts Hibana. He is attracted to Hibana and wants her to kill him.
  • Hisui (翡水)
Voiced by: Chiwa Saito (Japanese); Erin Beers (English)
The Shinobi of Water and the third Shinobi who confronts Hibana. She is Jimushi's new apprentice and is essentially Hibana's replacement. However, she despises Hibana because Jimushi prefers her.
  • Kurohagane (黒鋼)
Voiced by: Toshitsugu Takashina (Alpha, Japanese), Masao Harada (Beta, Japanese), Hiroshi Iida (Final, Japanese), Casey Robertson (English)
The antagonist, a robotic ninja created by the Nakatomi group ordered to work with Jimushi and retrieve pieces of Akujiki. Although a soulless robot, he begins to have his own agenda with each piece of Akujiki he absorbs.

Gameplay

Nightshade's missions are linear, and each one culminates in a battle against a challenging boss opponent. The core of Nightshade's gameplay is hack and slash, with accumulating combos on spawning enemies about the level. Using Hibana's arsenal of a katana (the primary weapon), short daggers (achieve less damage, but score a higher combo multiplier), shuriken (long range projectiles), and various ninjutsu spells, the game challenges the player to achieve as high a score as possible while eliminating the opposing threat.[4]

Nightshade also includes aspects of platforming. With Hibana's ability to dash in mid-air, the game requires the player to use this ability to bypass holes and hazards. Game mechanics restrict Hibana to only a double-jump and an air-dash before she falls, requiring the player to strike enemies in mid-flight to stay in the air. By doing this, the player combines accuracy and timing to stay in the air continuously, or fall to their death.

If the player has a completed save file from Shinobi then Hotsuma, the protagonist of the previous game, is available as an optional playable character. He differs from Hibana in that he does not use daggers like her and is only able to use Akujiki, the sword he used in the previous game. Hotsuma plays exactly as before with the same arsenal of moves and operates under the same mechanics as he did in the previous game. He must always be finding and defeating enemies to feed their souls to Akujiki, or the cursed sword will devour his soul instead and kill him.

Development

Soundtrack

The Nightshade soundtrack is based upon the Japanese techno of the previous iteration, Shinobi. All tracks were produced by Fumie Kumatani, Tomonori Sawada, Keiichi Sugiyama, Yutaka Minobe, Teruhiko Nakagawa, and Masaru Setsumaru of Sega Digital Studio. Nightshade did not see an official soundtrack release until July 2014, where it was released digitally on Amazon Music and iTunes.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic68/100[5]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Edge6/10[6]
EGM5.5/10[7]
Eurogamer4/10[8]
Famitsu33/40[9]
Game Informer6.5/10[10]
GameProStarStarStarStar[11]
GameRevolutionB[12]
GameSpot7.9/10[13]
GameSpyStarStarStar[14]
GameZone7.5/10[15]
IGN7/10[4]
OPM (US)StarStarStarHalf star[16]

Nightshade received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[5] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of one nine and three eights for a total of 33 out of 40.[9]

References

  1. ↑ Colayco, Bob (February 10, 2004). "Nightshade slips into stores". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. http://www.gamespot.com/articles/nightshade-slips-into-stores/1100-6089155/. Retrieved April 2, 2014. 
  2. ↑ "Nightshade Release Information for PlayStation 2". http://www.gamefaqs.com/ps2/914718-nightshade/data. Retrieved 2014-04-02. 
  3. ↑ Torres, Ricardo (2003-11-25). "Nightshade Preview". http://www.gamespot.com/articles/nightshade-preview/1100-6084612/. Retrieved 2014-04-02. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Perry, Douglass C. (2004-02-06). "Nightshade (PS2)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/02/06/nightshade-2. Retrieved 2014-04-02. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Nightshade Critic Reviews for PlayStation 2". https://www.metacritic.com/game/nightshade/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. Retrieved 2014-04-02. 
  6. ↑ Edge Staff (March 2004). "Nightshade". Edge (135): 103. Archived from the original on 2004-07-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20040704080902/http://gamesradar.msn.co.uk/reviews/default.asp?pagetypeid=2&articleid=29011&subsectionid=1605. Retrieved 2014-04-02. 
  7. ↑ EGM Staff (April 2004). "Nightshade (PS2)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (177): 121. Archived from the original on 2004-04-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20040405015210/http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0,2053,1547776,00.asp. Retrieved 2014-04-02. 
  8. ↑ Fahey, Rob (2004-03-19). "Nightshade Review". http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_nightshade_ps2. Retrieved 2014-04-02. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Famitsu review scores for Baten Kaitos, Gundam Z, etc". The Magic Box. 2003-11-26. http://www.the-magicbox.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-6456.html. Retrieved 2016-05-21. 
  10. ↑ Juba, Joe (March 2004). "Nightshade (PS2)". Game Informer (131): 106. Archived from the original on 2008-03-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20080318180048/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/CE419DE7-BDA9-4195-A357-D9F2F71E8791.htm. Retrieved 2014-04-02. 
  11. ↑ Star Dingo (2004-02-12). "Nightshade Review for PS2 on GamePro.com". GamePro. Archived from the original on 2005-02-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20050212133741/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/33511.shtml. Retrieved 2014-04-02. 
  12. ↑ Dodson, Joe (2004-02-20). "Nightshade Review". Game Revolution. http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/nightshade. Retrieved 2014-04-02. 
  13. ↑ Kasavin, Greg (2004-02-10). "Nightshade Review (PS2)". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nightshade-review/1900-6089152/. Retrieved 2014-04-02. 
  14. ↑ Turner, Benjamin (2004-02-10). "GameSpy: Nightshade (PS2)". GameSpy. http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/nightshade/491473p1.html. Retrieved 2014-04-02. 
  15. ↑ Bedigian, Louis (2004-02-10). "Nightshade - PS2 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on 2008-09-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20080920160657/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r22036.htm. Retrieved 2014-04-02. 
  16. ↑ Varanini, Giancarlo (April 2004). "Nightshade". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine: 100. Archived from the original on 2004-03-31. https://web.archive.org/web/20040331152448/http://www.playstationmagazine.com/article2/0,2053,1547730,00.asp. Retrieved 2014-04-02. 
  • Official page at Sega Script error: The function "in_lang" does not exist.
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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