Introducing "Shadow Gangs" an 80's arcade inspired ninja action game.

[Jgames]

Originally Posted by DamienD

Hi Jack,

I've modified my review to elaborate on various things:


If you're happy with this my friend I will post this on all arcade / retro websites / forums that I'm a member of; along with details / videos and the release date; 10th of April?

Hi Damian;

I couldn't dream of a review like this.

10th of April, it should be.
The game is ready, just some small fixes here and there.

[DamienD]

Originally Posted by Jgames

Hi Damian;

I couldn't dream of a review like this.

It's my true feelings and thoughts about the game; after playing for more than 2 weeks now solidly

It really is a masterpiece and very addictive

Even though I've completed it, I'm now going through again on "Normal" mode and then I'll have a crack at "Crimson Ninja" mode

[gimbal]

There needs to be an unlockable "Last Ninja" mode.

[Jgames]

Originally Posted by gimbal

There needs to be an unlockable "Last Ninja" mode.

The Amiga game? What would this mode have?

[DamienD]

Now at the final boss in Normal mode

Originally Posted by Jgames

The Amiga game? What would this mode have?

Maybe just the Last Ninja costume unlockable

...but considering the game takes loads of inspiration from Shinobi, this would be a better idea

[gimbal]

Originally Posted by Jgames

The Amiga game? What would this mode have?

I'm thinking an insane difficulty mode where death = game over or something An unlockable beyond insane difficulty mode is not uncommon nowadays.

[DamienD]

Originally Posted by gimbal

I'm thinking an insane difficulty mode where death = game over or something An unlockable beyond insane difficulty mode is not uncommon nowadays.

You haven't played the game as yet gimbal. Trust me, it's quite difficult already

Though Jack had to dumb down "Easy" mode and add a 3 hit lifebar; as many reviewers were complaining that it was too hard, plus saying that people will get frustrated and ask for a refund

I'm just glad that I finished the game on "Easy" mode before the "Muppet" mode lifebar was added

[Jgames]

Originally Posted by gimbal

I'm thinking an insane difficulty mode where death = game over or something An unlockable beyond insane difficulty mode is not uncommon nowadays.

As Damien said, and he is a great Shinobi player, the hard mode (called "Crimson Ninja") is difficult, and many players won't see the end of it.

"Muppet" mode, (with the politically correct name of "Rising Ninja) was "enhanced" with a life bar.
As one friend told me, and he was the one who persuade me to add the life bar (which I was heavily against), let people enjoy the game, and go far into the missions etc...and I agreed with him in the end.

Even with the lifebar and a big quantity of pickups in the easy mode compared to the normal and hard mode, it will still be challenging.

[DamienD]

Originally Posted by DamienD

Now at the final boss in Normal mode

So to be honest, I haven't really been playing much over the past 3 days; only 15 minutes here and there...

Anyway, tonight I beat the final boss on "Normal" mode.

Now the only thing left is to complete the full game on "Crimson Ninja" mode... should be a real challenge with more enemies and only 3 lives per go (as opposed to 7 in "Easy" and 5 in "Normal" modes)

[gimbal]

I didn't call it a "beyond insane difficulty mode" for nothing. It's not for the average wimp... errr. I mean "player", it's for those gamers that want to show off their leet skills on livestreams

(but let's face it, I'm just looking for excuses to cram as many references to classic games in there as possible).

[DamienD]

Heya Jack,

I'm now on Mission 5 in "Crimson Ninja" mode

...besides only having 3 lives, which makes things slightly more challenging; the killer for me is no Ninja Magic (unless you win one of the Bonus Stages).

The 2 x bosses are the only place in the whole game that I've needed to use 1 x Ninja Magic. It's going to take some practise to beat them without...

I really wanted to finish this game on all difficulty modes before release, but not sure I'll have time...


Guys and girls; the wait is over!!! Shadow Gangs is officially released tomorrow!!!

Definitely recommended, go grab this, especially if you love Shinobi... you won't be disappointed

[malko]

@DamienD : thanks for your continuous feedback here since you began testing the game.
I haven't reread the thread but as I don't remember any bug report, it looks like the game was already no more in beta state. KUDOS for you and your team Jgames

[DamienD]

No bugs really, but whilst I've been testing / feeding back directly; Jack has made a few small changes to certain things

[DamienD]

...and the game / soundtrack / bundle has now been released



Well done Jack, after more than 5 years in production, you must be very happy that "Shadow Gangs" is now finished!!!

[Jgames]

I couldn't ever find a better beta tester than DamienD.

He helped me A LOT in improving, and fixing the game.

And he is the only one who has played it from start to finish without resorting to some unconventional methods (cheats).

He is first and foremost an awesome great (insert all good stuff) guy, bless him.

He even asked me to ban his key, as he wanted to buy the game. I objected to that, I wanted he gets it for free, but he insisted he wants to buy.

So I want to publicly say: THANK YOU.

[DamienD]

YES, YES, YES!!!

Have now beaten the game on "Crimson Ninja" mode

...wasn't easy, as you don't get Ninja Magic at all (unless successfully doing the Bonus Stages - which I can't be bothered with now). I only really need 1 x Ninja Magic for the 2 x bosses anyway.

@Jack; it's like I said to you via WhatsApp. As soon as I get past the 2 x bosses then I will beat the final boss and complete the game.

That's exactly what happened... I killed the 2 x bosses with 2 out of my 3 starting lives remaining. I then made a silly timing error on the final boss leaving my last life

...but managed to hold it together and destroy him

I was going to take a screenshot of the "Achievements" window as proof, but for some strange reason these are no longer working in Steam.

[malko]

You are an amazing player my friend !!!

[DamienD]

Originally Posted by malko

You are an amazing player my friend !!!

Thanks, but you haven't seen me play this yet

I was going to record "Mission 5 - Stage 1" on "Crimson Ninja" difficulty mode of me absolutely shredding through enemies with perfect timing / positioning...

...but alas, my poor old Acer Aspire 5951G / i5-2410M laptop purchased in late 2011 just can't handle running the game and also recording at the same time whilst playing

[malko]

I know what you mean...
(cf : some posts of the EAB/Lemon competition)

[Kimono]

The first time I see this game, I thought it was a remake of Ninja Combat arcade 1990:
[ Show youtube player ]