Unfortunately, neither choice at the campaign’s climax pays off with a revelation or additional backstory. The plot starts simple and never really evolves, though it’s just engaging enough to make you stop and think when you reach its forked ending. You’ll want to replay the 6-8 hour campaign, though probably not for the story (but oh, those drool-inducing animated cutscenes!). All of these added perks culminate in the highly recommended New Game Plus mode, in which the enemies get tougher but you’ve got access to your full arsenal of unlocked goodies right from the first stage. It wholly changes the way the game is played, akin to watching a different director’s cut of your favorite movie. This is complemented by additional play styles that become available as you go, like “Way of the Ninja.” This removes your sword – thereby making it nearly impossible to kill anyone – but gives you extra distraction tools, such as the aforementioned cardboard box, firecrackers, terror darts, etc. Or score plenty of points just for sneaking by the bad guys undetected. Hide their bodies when you’re done and you’ll net more. If you knife every fool, you’ll earn some points. While many stealth games claim you can play them how you want (read: lethally or non-lethally), this one actually rewards you with medal-earning XP either way. More seriously laudable is Ninja’s scoring system. Seeing your black-clad hero reach out from underneath the simple disguise, grab a victim, and drag him back under the box while his buddies ignorantly walk by is as sadistically rewarding as it is hilarious. Or the not-so-subtle nod to Metal Gear Solid: the cardboard box. For instance, there’s a taunt that lets you string-up your kills in order to terrorize the other guards, a la Batman. You begin with only these most basic of moves, but as you finish levels and secondary objectives within each mission (such as completing an area without raising an alarm), you’ll earn medals redeemable for new moves that significantly liven up the game and open up your options.
You’ll jump and grapple-hook your way around mostly linear levels (though occasional path choices and backtracking occur), clinging to walls and ceilings, hiding in floor grates, and pressing B to duck behind potted plants or in doorways – all in the name of avoiding detection. In a move that’s simultaneously refreshing and familiar, Mark of the Ninja is a 2D stealth adventure that, at first glance, looks a bit Metroidvania-esque.
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