Interview with anonymous-villain from Ninja Gaiden
Welcome, anonymous-villain! It’s a pleasure to have you here, straight from the 8-bit world of Ninja Gaiden. Let’s dive right in. Can you tell us a little about your plans and how Ryu Hayabusa ended up meddling in them?
Ah, the pleasure is yours, I assure you. As the architect behind the grand supernatural conspiracy, my ambitions were quite simple—unleash an ancient, relentless evil upon the world and establish my dominion. But then, this self-righteous ninja, Ryu Hayabusa, had to wander into my meticulously laid plans. Apparently, slaying his father was enough to make him leave his quaint little village. Touching, isn’t it? Such misplaced determination.
released in Europe as Shadow Warriors
Ryu is quite the relentless hero. What do you think of the various landscapes he battles through? Any favorites among them?
Ah, the landscapes. I must say, the designers did a splendid job creating a living nightmare! Personally, I find the snow-covered castles particularly amusing. Watching Ryu slip and slide on the icy platforms—delightful! And let’s not forget the urban city settings, where I strategically placed enemies around every corner. It’s like orchestrating an evil symphony of frustration.
Some players find the game extremely challenging. Do you have any comments on the difficulty level?
those crumbling ledges, swarming bats, and relentless enemies
Challenging? That’s an understatement! I’d call it a masterclass in exquisite torment. Every enemy, every pitfall, was handpicked to test the limits of a player’s patience. Those pesky bats and bird attacks right when you’re making that crucial jump—it’s all part of my devilish design. If players manage to best the game, they have my reluctant respect. They’ve danced my deadly dance and lived to tell the tale.
Speaking of challenges, are there any power-ups or hidden secrets you allowed the developers to place that you’d like to call out?
Allowed? Oh, you make it sound as though I didn’t subvert those power-ups for my amusement. That said, there are a few scattered about—like that Flame Ninjitsu, quite a nifty trick. But here’s the truth, those power-ups are double-edged swords. They lure players into a false sense of security before another wave of enemies, far more ferocious, glares them in the face. It’s all about balance, you see.
The game is known for its cinematic scenes. Do you enjoy these narrative moments, or do you find them bothersome?
Cinematic scenes—an excellent way to flaunt my grandiosity! The transitions from gameplay to storytelling are quite the dramatic flair, if I do say so myself. They give players just enough time to catch their breath before plunging them back into my carefully crafted chaos. Plus, they do capture the essence of my unyielding malevolence rather well.
What’s your take on the hero, Ryu Hayabusa? What kind of opponent is he?
battlegrounds, designed to wear you down, step by agonizing step
Ryu Hayabusa—such a thorn in my side. Relentless, stubborn, the epitome of an annoying protagonist. However, I must admit, his agility and combat prowess are commendable. Not that it matters, of course. Every victory against me comes at the price of countless failures and retries. In a way, he’s the perfect foil to my grand design.
The underground railroad scene, in particular, is often cited as one of the most difficult. Any special insights into how players might conquer it?
Ah, the underground railroad scene. I’m quite proud of that bit of devilry. My advice? Patience and precision. Those timing puzzles are designed to erode resolve. Watch the patterns, and remember—every enemy is placed with a singular purpose: to throw you off your game. Use the walls; Ryu’s ability to cling to them is key to surviving what is essentially my subterranean gauntlet.
Some players have managed to beat the game. What do you think of these tenacious few?
Oh, those who manage to defeat me? Let’s call them stubborn overachievers. Truly, they possess a tenacity that borders on masochism. To endure the orchestrated torment and still emerge victorious—both impressive and slightly concerning. But credit where it’s due, they’ve outwitted me, at least for now.
Before we wrap up, any hints about your future endeavors? Will we see more of your schemes?
Ah, well, I do believe in a good dramatic exit followed by an even more dramatic return. Let’s just say that realms beyond this 8-bit domain are ripe for the taking. If you think you’ve seen the last of anonymous-villain, think again. The world isn’t safe yet; reservoirs of ancient evil still beckon. Prepare for the return—only when you least expect it.
We’ll stay on our toes! Thank you for a truly enlightening and entertaining interview, anonymous-villain. Until next time, should there be one!
Oh, there will be. Mark my words.
released in Japan as Ninja Ryūkenden
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