Ninja Captains is the newest title from Nordcurrent and one that I’ve had my eye on for a while.  There’s something particularly appealing about cats dressed up as Ninjas at the best of times (on a computer game, as opposed to real life I hasten to add!).  Add in a certain amount of clumsy ineptitude, the general strangely likeable malice of cats and a trip round the world and you’re on to a winner.

Ninja Captains tells the story of Warrior Ninja, Clumsy Ninja, Gadget Ninja and Fatty Ninja.  Their city is attacked by a giant robotic mouse, so in truly heroic style they embark on a quest to save the world.  The game takes you from London to Sydney, from Rio de Janeiro to Paris and onwards.  Instead of the platform-style game you might expect, Ninja Captains is actually made up of several highly entertaining mini-games, requiring you to play as one of the cats and help them through a variety of madcap situations, including providing sick bags to airline passengers, climbing Ayres Rock and gondola racing in Venice.

The mini-games can take a little adjusting to.  In an effort not to overwhelm you with instructions, Nordcurrent appears to have adopted a rather ‘throw ‘em in at the deep end’ style approach, providing very basic control information at the start of each mini-game.  However, in some ways this is a benefit.  Rather than scratching your head in bafflement trying to remember four screens of control/play information, you have a small amount of information to start you off and then you can figure it out on your own. 

Ninja Captains is rated as 3+ and there is plenty in it to appeal to small children but also older children and adults alike.  This is not a game that younger children will necessarily find easy and some of the mini-games involve some considerable physical exertion.  However, the catchy music and fun animations are a great reward for your progress.  Although this is playable with up to four players, it’s also a great game to play as just one character, sharing the various games across different people depending on their strengths.  My partner and I played through it, sharing the games as one player rather than playing separately and found the ‘team spirit’ aspect very rewarding.  Plus, when you’re really getting nowhere it’s great to give someone else responsibility for completing the mini-game!

As I’ve mentioned, the music is very funky and will doubtless have small children across the land jiggling away in front of their TV screens.  Nordcurrent clearly employs some cat owners because they’ve captured the moggy characteristics extremely well.  As owner of two of the most mischievous cats you’ll ever find, I recognised the determinedly defiant streak of the Ninja Cats as being frighteningly realistic from the off.

All in all, a very good title that will keep children, adults, couples and families amused for hours.  A good variety of different puzzles means there’s something for everyone and prevents the game from getting repetitive.  This is a fun title that should have wide appeal.

**Review by Donna Haw**