The Legend of Kage 2 may surprise you
by JC Fletcher 
{ Mar 19th 2008 at 9:45AM }
Chances are that if you've played The Legend of Kage for any significant amount of time, the last game you'd buy would be something called The Legend of Kage 2. But this gameplay video for the sequel shows that while they've kept the ninja-in-the-forest theme, Taito has all but tossed out the floaty tree-to-tree jumping and being killed by shurikens in favor of a much faster, much more sword-combat-based game. It's more Shinobi than Kage, and even more fighting-heavy than that.
Why would Taito choose to deliberately reference a game that seems to be almost universally hated? They could have called their ninja action game anything they wanted. We hope that enough Japanese gamers see past the name to make Kage 2 a success.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
eugaet @ Mar 19th 2008 10:10AM
Based on your first sentence, I thought you were trying to say people wouldn't buy LoK2 because it could never be as good as the original. Then I got to the 'universally hated' part. Really? I liked that game...played it endlessly (and still do, thanks MAME!).
My interest in LoK2 so far is entirely based on the name. And they got rid of the floaty tree-to-tree jumping bit? Interest lowered. You can't call it Legend of Kage if there's no floaty tree-to-tree jumping!
Bah. Back to MAME.
Hadrian @ Mar 19th 2008 10:23AM
The NES version of Kage was terrible but the Arcade one was great, perhaps DSFanboy should try that. This game is far better the the mass of disappointment that was Insecticide.
bull @ May 10th 2008 5:59AM
Hmm, I should try the arcade to see how good it is 'cuz the NES version is quite good for me and you say it's terrible :(
JC Fletcher @ Mar 19th 2008 10:57AM
I actually really like The Legend of Kage, but I also recognize that it isn't REALLY that good.
eugaet @ Mar 19th 2008 11:00AM
Yeah, I was referring to the arcade version.
FoliathR @ Mar 19th 2008 11:16AM
Hmm I like both games actually.
The Legend of Kage 2 has references to the original in the later stages, like the stage where you have to keep jumping up higher and higher, and the indoor stage. Bosses were entertaining to me actually.
But it may just be me, but I love solid platformers. I don't see why people are picking so much on LoK2..
elend @ Mar 19th 2008 12:46PM
Now that video turned be a tad off. It looks nice, but also a bit boring. I may buy it, though.
kaoleidescope @ Mar 19th 2008 10:57PM
I'm with elend. Looks nice in terms of visuals, but boring. Appears to be a button masher. Dodge blows by jumping out of the way and swiping at the enemy's back. Think I'll give this one a pass.
ray @ Mar 20th 2008 2:52AM
I actually liked the original NES and arcade games. They were loosely based off an old martial arts movie (the name of that movie has escaped my mind indefinitely).
I doubt anyone noticed this, but the intro seemed to be an homage to Last Blade's intro (attract) scene.
Is there a US release on the horizon?