Ninjas are cool. Always have been, always will be. But what's the point of being cool if nobody knows about it? That's Ishikawa Nagato's problem. He's sliced and diced untold numbers of enemies, but doesn't get the credit and recognition he feels he deserves. Ego is a strange thing... maybe Ishikawa made a bad career choice, because ninjas are known for wearing masks and all black gear, and being unidentifiable!

Still, Ishi is furious because his arch-enemy, Nure-Onna, is the most renowned ninja in all of Japan. He's so angry that, when he talks, his sentences are littered with expletitives. He decides there's only one way to regain the recognition he used to have and still deserves... infiltrate NureOnna's inner sanctum and kill her, and any of her henchmen who happen to get in the way.

Unfortunately, the road to Nure-Onna is fraught with danger and, much as he hates to admit it, our potty-mouthed protagonist needs you to guide his path. Each area he visits has a number of interactive points, and only by clicking on them all in the correct order can he pass to the next scene. Fail on any one of them and Ishi is sushi, and it's back to the start of the scene to try again. Successfully guide Ishikawa to the end and he'll face an epic battle with Nure-Onna herself.

Ninja Carnage is entertaining, I'll give it that, if only for the profanity. The core mechanic uses quick time events which doesn't seem akin to ninja hijinks that we are used to in action games, but it's a novel concept and, at least with a bit of trial and error, you can get through it eventually.

It is all beautifully presented, a little too well as you marvel at the graphics but ultimately it comes down to looking for the right square to select or face a punishment, verbal and all.

It's all simple stuff, but it's done so well with the humorous insults to entertain that you can't help but smile. Nice music too.

It's interesting that Mat compared this to Rick Dangerous; for me, it's more like Dragon's Lair with Deadpool is the main character. Some of the humour is a bit ripe and OTT, but if you're not easily offended you should enjoy the florid text (which there's a lot of).

The production values are stellar, but the trial-and-error gameplay is an acquired taste and, even if you like it, you'll see the whole game in one play so there's no need to return. I do admire and recommend you have a go though.

I think it's going to be interesting seeing what my fellow reviewers feel about this, given it's the point and click version of a Rick Dangerous adventure. And by that you're going to sudden death repeatedly and get sworn at in the process.

Persevere and, once you understand the rules more clearly, think about where to place the cursor and the clues on your next move, you definitely start to die less often! Coupled with enjoying the game more.

However, the graphics are a bit fuzzy despite some lovely backgrounds and some people will be put off by the coarse language.

Try it and see what you feel.

Presentation 79%
Well set-out screen, reams of adult language and no spelling mistakes.

Graphics 83%
High-quality still graphics portray the action well, but there's no animation.

Sound 84%
Lots of atmospheric music.

Hookability 75%
You probably haven't played anything like it before!

Lastability 62%
Once you've completed it, you probably won't go back. Coward.

Overall 69%
An intriguing, well-executed effort which sadly has no replay value.