Mark of the Ninja

92%
Game Brain Score Based on 6,931 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Mark of the Ninja Game Cover
Mark of the Ninja excels in every department except the story and is a complete value for money, providing hours and hours of satisfying 2D stealth entertainment.
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"Mark of the Ninja" is a single-player platformer action-stealth game with an interesting plot, masterful graphics, and outstanding music. It follows a ninja's story in a modern setting, featuring a themed conflict between tradition and technology, with dense atmosphere and wholesome story. Despite some bugs and grinding, its perfect game mechanics and replayability make it a must-play.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 6,931 reviews
gameplay1,029 positive mentions
stability25 negative mentions
  • Engaging stealth mechanics that allow for multiple playstyles, including lethal and non-lethal approaches.
  • Beautiful art style and fluid animations that enhance the overall experience.
  • Challenging yet fair gameplay with a good balance of difficulty and accessibility.
  • Some controls can feel clunky or unresponsive, particularly when navigating tight spaces.
  • The story is somewhat simplistic and may not be as engaging for all players.
  • The game can feel short, leaving players wanting more content after completing it.
  • gameplay1,908 mentions

    The gameplay in "Mark of the Ninja" is widely praised for its exceptional stealth mechanics, fluid controls, and engaging level design, allowing players to approach challenges in multiple ways. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to balance stealth and action, with a variety of tools and abilities that enhance the experience, making it both rewarding and satisfying. While the story may not be the main focus, the gameplay itself is described as addictive and well-crafted, making it a standout title in the stealth genre.

    • “The gameplay and animations are very fluid, making for a smooth and enjoyable experience.”
    • “The mechanics work great and the story is pretty good.”
    • “The stealth mechanics are very well done, and after you beat it for the first time you unlock new game + which is a harder difficulty with harder mechanics and has several more unlockable achievements.”
    • “The enemy AI is inconsistent and glitchy, the story is about as lackluster as any I've seen, voice acting is regrettable, the checkpoints are terribly spaced, and the gameplay (while fun at first) grows repetitive and tedious the further you get.”
    • “The gameplay gets painfully repetitive and doesn't offer enough variety to keep things going.”
    • “Mark of the Ninja is a waste of time, literally, and I cannot recommend a game whose concept is sound, but whose execution of those stealth mechanics is completely miserable.”
  • story1,780 mentions

    The story of "Mark of the Ninja" is generally described as engaging yet somewhat predictable, featuring a classic revenge narrative with a few twists that keep players invested. While some reviewers found the plot to be cliché and lacking depth, others appreciated its execution and the way it complements the gameplay, with well-animated cutscenes and a satisfying conclusion. Overall, the story serves as a solid backdrop to the game's excellent stealth mechanics and level design, making it enjoyable despite its simplicity.

    • “The story is captivating and keeps you invested.”
    • “The story is interesting: not the most original but very well told.”
    • “The story is well written and has a good plot twist in the end.”
    • “The delivery of the story is probably the weakest part as it often felt jumbled or a little hard to follow what's going on, but in the end it works out as I got to the end and still understood what was going on.”
    • “The story is mediocre and underwritten, but that won't matter when you're moving through the shadows and eliminating foes one by one.”
    • “The story is a bit boring but the gameplay makes up for it.”
  • graphics1,058 mentions

    The graphics of "Mark of the Ninja" are widely praised for their stunning 2D art style, which combines a nostalgic cartoon aesthetic reminiscent of shows like "Samurai Jack" with fluid animations and atmospheric lighting. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to visually convey stealth mechanics, using color and shadow effectively to enhance gameplay. While some note that the graphics may appear simplistic compared to modern standards, the overall artistic execution and attention to detail create an immersive experience that complements the game's stealth-focused design.

    • “The art style is gorgeous and serves the gameplay by displaying you normally when you're in the light, and covering you in black if you're in the dark.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful and the sound effects are spot on.”
    • “The art style is a breath of fresh air, and if you like clever but not RNG-based stealth, then this game is for you.”
    • “The graphics leave much to be desired, but the comic-book aesthetic works.”
    • “The graphics are a bit of a hit or miss affair, but there's no denying that some thought has gone into them and they do the job more than adequately.”
    • “The graphics aren't great, but they work for what is needed.”
  • replayability401 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability due to its diverse playstyles, multiple endings, and various unlockable items and challenges, allowing players to approach levels in numerous ways. Features like a new game plus mode, optional objectives, and collectibles further enhance the replay value, making it appealing for completionists and those seeking to refine their skills. While some players note a potential for repetitiveness, the overall consensus is that the game offers a satisfying and engaging experience that encourages multiple playthroughs.

    • “The varying playstyles, multiple ways to pass any given point, and many puzzles and secrets give this game a ton of replay value, and is easily one of my favorite games.”
    • “These altogether combine to create a comprehensive and highly replayable experience, particularly with score leaderboards.”
    • “The game lets you choose your own playstyle and the different gained abilities and gadgets give it replay value.”
    • “The only downside is that it's fairly short, but it has plenty of replay value.”
    • “The game gets repetitive fast and it's not really a skill game so much as a logical puzzle; once you have learned a level, you can very easily beat it either violently or stealthily, limiting replayability.”
    • “While many such games claim you can play them how you want (read: lethally or non-lethally), this one truly delivers on the promise and provides extreme replayability through the abilities you unlock through play.”
  • music285 mentions

    The music in the game is generally praised for its atmospheric quality, effectively enhancing the stealth experience and immersing players in the game's world. While many reviewers appreciate the soundtrack's ability to adapt to gameplay situations, some find it somewhat forgettable or lacking in variety. Overall, the music complements the game's art and mechanics, contributing to a cohesive and engaging experience, though a few players feel it could be improved.

    • “The music is perfectly atmospheric and doesn't distract from the gameplay.”
    • “The soundtrack is both atmospheric and tense, and the art style is quite striking.”
    • “The music fits the mood of every encounter (very important in a stealth game!), and the audio cues are distinct and, even without ever hearing them, you can instantly tell what they mean.”
    • “The music fits the game sneaking mood, but when played outside the game, it sounds mediocre.”
    • “The only other drawback is the music, which mostly consists of lame percussion segments.”
    • “The music is appropriate but otherwise not terribly memorable.”
  • atmosphere148 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals, exceptional sound design, and immersive environments that enhance the gameplay experience. Reviewers highlight the effective use of lighting and music to create a tense, engaging atmosphere that complements the stealth mechanics and narrative. Overall, the game's art style and atmospheric elements are considered key strengths, contributing to a captivating and authentic experience for players.

    • “The lighting and sound design are stellar, making the atmosphere more alive and further adding to the gameplay.”
    • “The art style, sound design, and general aesthetics throughout the gameplay experience are beautifully crafted to produce a tense stealthy atmosphere.”
    • “With a crafty combination of well-designed levels, a smart use of ninja mythology, outstanding visual art, and a cool atmosphere composed by a finely tuned mix of sound and light effects, Mark of the Ninja is, simply put, the best stealth game I've played in a long time.”
    • “During the game, however, the atmosphere is dark, and mostly dark colors are used, which of course fits the setting of the game.”
    • “The atmosphere and the gameplay let you fully immerse into the ninja's journey to uncover the truth behind the lies he's been blinded by all the years and most of all uncover the truth about himself...”
    • “Atmosphere drops about halfway through the game, but it is an overall excellent game.”
  • humor33 mentions

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, characterized by clever voice acting, amusing animations, and the comedic outcomes of stealth gameplay, such as guards inadvertently causing each other's demise. Players find joy in the absurdity of the situations, from hilarious deaths to the exaggerated reactions of characters, making the experience both entertaining and engaging. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with challenging gameplay, offering a unique and funny take on the stealth genre.

    • “It's quite funny to spook a whole room-full of guards, and have them kill each other off.”
    • “As a final sidenote, I should note that I found messing with guards and leaving them in a state of terror (usually happens when they see another guard step into a trap and die in front of their eyes) absolutely hilarious, 10/10 would do again.”
    • “The unique 2D view, the humorous ways to kill (I got somewhat addicted to terrifying guards off ledges), and endless permutations of ways to mix up ninja tools/suits offers tons of replay value.”
  • stability31 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting significant bugs and glitches, including freezing issues and unreliable checkpoints, while others praise its overall performance and lack of major issues. Many users noted occasional visual glitches and minor bugs, but overall, the game is described as polished and enjoyable, with a strong gameplay experience. However, the presence of game-breaking glitches and freezing problems has led to frustration for some players.

    • “The game looks and runs great.”
    • “Even runs great on ultrabook with discrete graphics.”
    • “It is balanced perfectly - no glitches that I am aware of - and has an excellent game and storyline.”
    • “Yeah, I found a bug; the exit game sometimes freezes up your computer, forcing you to sign out of your session.”
    • “If there's one thing negative about the game, it's that it seems a bit buggy on occasion.”
    • “However for me, the game freezes way too often, requiring me to exit the game using Task Manager.”
  • emotional29 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it surprisingly impactful, particularly through its gameplay and unexpected story twists, while others feel the narrative lacks depth. Many reviewers appreciate the game's ability to evoke feelings of empowerment and stealthy satisfaction, making them feel like true ninjas, though some express that the story itself may not be deeply moving. Overall, the game successfully captures a range of emotions, from excitement to introspection, while maintaining a focus on engaging gameplay.

    • “Very nice game with an amazing and emotional story.”
    • “This is not just a game that was thrown together; it was made with heart and love. This is a one-of-a-kind game that you can't just come by; you have to try it. The ending, oh my god, it was a real thing for me. It made me feel all of it and gave me a moment to think about all that I did and all I learned... and what I must do.”
    • “Mark of the Ninja made me cry, because for all the badassery possible in this amazing stealth game, it made me realize that despite dreaming almost exclusively of it since age 8, this is just a game.”
    • “The story was really boring and failed to evoke any emotional response.”
    • “I found the emotional moments to be flat and unengaging.”
    • “The characters lacked depth, making it hard to connect with their emotional struggles.”
  • grinding27 mentions

    The reviews highlight a mixed perception of grinding in the game, with many players finding certain aspects tedious and repetitive, particularly in relation to puzzles and achievement hunting. While some appreciate the challenge and control offered by the mechanics, others feel that the gameplay can become frustrating due to inconsistent enemy AI, poorly spaced checkpoints, and the need for extensive grinding for upgrades. Overall, the game is seen as enjoyable but marred by moments of tedium that detract from the overall experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Somehow the game makes stealth not tedious.”
    • “I appreciate a stealth game, but this is more like a puzzle game, which is also fine, but it's pretty brutal in a not-so-fun way, more tedious repetition way, which I don't find fun.”
    • “The enemy AI is inconsistent and glitchy, the story is about as lackluster as any I've seen, voice acting is regrettable, the checkpoints are terribly spaced, and the gameplay (while fun at first) grows repetitive and tedious the further you get.”
    • “It was fun up until that point, but then it immediately became tedious and frustrating.”
  • optimization15 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with smooth performance on Linux and PC, even on older hardware. However, users have reported significant performance issues on Mac, describing it as laggy and poorly optimized for that platform. Despite some minor performance concerns, many players appreciate the gameplay and level design, contributing to a positive overall experience.

    • “I enjoyed playing it and it runs smoothly on Linux :)”
    • “You unlock different skills and items both naturally and according to your performance (getting higher scores and completing challenges allows you to upgrade your skills and items).”
    • “It also looks beautiful, doesn't have any bugs I could find, runs smoothly on my old computer and sounds alright (there's hardly any music, but the sound needed to be functional and it is).”
    • “I wish performance were better on Mac; it's very laggy and slow.”
    • “Just awful; one of the worst optimized console ports I've seen.”
  • character development11 mentions

    Character development in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the well-thought-out gameplay and character designs, others feel that there is a lack of depth in character progression and variety among enemies. The visual style and animations are praised, but many reviewers express disappointment with the limited character development and linear storyline, suggesting that these aspects detract from an otherwise beautiful and engaging experience. Overall, while the game excels in aesthetics and gameplay mechanics, it falls short in delivering a compelling character arc.

    • “Everything in the game, from the character development, gameplay, stealth, abilities, items, is just so well thought out and implemented. It creates an amazing experience throughout.”
    • “Not only does it have a unique art style, but the Japanese landscapes and character design really excel in this game's look.”
    • “Great storytelling, perfectly balanced puzzle problems, and character development.”
    • “Despite the power-ups, I didn't feel like there was much character development going on.”
    • “The only things I didn't like so much were the lack of character development and the limited replayability due to the linear storyline.”
    • “Plot is pretty horrible, and the character designs are kinda goofy, but the scenery and gameplay makes up for any shortcomings.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization strategy has been criticized as a blatant cash grab, particularly disappointing for players who purchased the original game. While the sound design and visual feedback are praised, the overall sentiment reflects frustration with the perceived exploitation of loyal fans.

    • “My opinion is that this is an obvious cash grab and it feels like a slap in the face for those of us who bought the original.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

91% average critic score

Buy Mark of the Ninja

Play time

12hMedian play time
15hAverage play time
8hMain story
21hCompletionist
8-20hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 25 analyzed playthroughs

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