Earlier this morning Microsoft released a fact sheet and nice batch of screens for their upcoming stelth-action title, Ninja Blade.

While the game is a welcome addition to the stealth-action, hack-n-slash genre a few questions arise from reading both the fact sheet and the Game Detail Page on Xbox.com and also from looking at the newly released screens. For instance, why release post Ninja Gaiden II at a lower resolution of 720P? And in turn, why attach a $59.99 price point as opposed to say, a $49.99 price point? Also, it would appear that our ninja protagonist, Ken Ogawa suffers from an identity crisis: one part Ryu Hayabusa, one part Green Hornet. I am hoping that this look will either grow on me or FromSoftware will toss in some DLC that allows him to cover up that ninja mug. We’re supposed to be going for stealth here, remember?

Nitpicking aside, Ninja Blade definitely has me yearning to go slice up some genetically mutated monsters.

Hit the jump for the fact sheet and some new Ninja Blade screens.

Title: “Ninja Blade”

Age Rating: Rating Pending

Availability: Q1 2009

Product Overview: Step into the dark and mysterious world of “Ninja Blade,” where gamers will be given the epic task to defend Tokyo and ultimately humanity itself from a horrific, genetically mutating disease.

High atop the towering skyscrapers of modern-day Tokyo, Ken Ogawa and his team of skilled ninjas are deployed to destroy the infected monster horde and stem the spreading disease as humanity hangs in the balance. Matters quickly take a turn for the worse as Ken and his team are betrayed from within their own ranks. After narrowly escaping death, Ken is left to fight the daunting battle alone while also attempting to understand the motivations behind his betrayal.

Armed with an extensive arsenal of specialized ninja weapons, tools and skills including the powerful forces of “Ninja Vision” and “Todome,” players must fight insurmountable odds, and once again bring peace and order to Tokyo.

Features:

• Unique Ninja abilities. To help defeat the genetically mutated monsters, players will have the special abilities of “Ninja Vision” and “Todome” at their fingertips. Enabling “Ninja Vision” will allow players to detect and analyze potential enemy weak points, secret paths, and hidden information within the environment. Beware though, while using “Ninja Vision,” characters become susceptible to excess damage. “Todome” is a special attack that destroys an enemy character’s core (heart), by dealing a fatal wound. Balanced and calculated use of both these abilities will be critical to progressing through the game
• Variety of weapons, tools and “Ninjutsu” – specialized Ninja powers – offer an enticing array of options. Varied environments force players to think strategically about which set of weapons and tools will be most effective at conquering thier way through different levels. Everything from dual wielding swords, to grapple wire hooks, to grenades each have distinctive features and characteristics, so choose wisely! “Ninjutsu” is a special power that results in an explosive electrical force to either stun enemies or protect oneself from attack. Only true Ninja Masters can achieve this technique
• Interactive quick-time events. Scattered throughout integral parts of the storyline, characters will come across various quick-time events where players will have the opportunity to directly interact with in-game cut-scenes. Quick reflexes will be rewarded as players interact with controller buttons as directed on screen during intense battles
• Modern Realism. “Ninja Blade” offers a fresh twist to the classic ninja saga by basing all 3D gaming maps directly from the actual skyscrapers and building tops in modern day Tokyo

Developer
Information: FromSoftware, Inc. Founded in 1986 as business application developer, and has been releasing popular franchises such as mechanic action “Armored Core” and stealth Ninja action “Tenchu,” since its entry in console game development in 1994. FromSoftware, Inc is currently making the most of its technical knowhow to run a 3D online virtual world metaverse “meet-me” where real world is virtually created in the game. FromSoftware’s developer team was awarded GameSpot’s”Most Surprisingly Good Game” for “O¥TO¥GI “developed for Xbox.

Screens: