Ninja or Die: Shadow of the Sun

While there’s some novelty in the challenge of this wall-jumping actioner, it’s hard to sustain interest in it

Ninja or Die: Shadow of the Sun uses an uncommon mechanic to create a unique action platformer. However, some exploration moments are frustrating for requiring precision in short platforms and areas with excessive elements causing visual pollution. The combat, on the other hand, is fast and fun, creating many intense moments. For those looking for something different within the roguelite genre, it's worth the recommendation.

It feels like at some point in development Nao Games decided that Ninja or Die needed more. More to do, more complexity, more than the simple gameplay which makes up its core. That’s a shame because the core of Ninja or Die is its biggest strength, at least when it works. It just needs to work more consistently. There’s definite potential in its core, and I’d be curious to check out an update or follow-up to see if that core could be refined, but the game as it exists today is hard to recommend as more than a curiosity.

Ninja or Die: Shadow of the Sun is a game full of action using minimal controls; it may seem weird to only jump wherever you want to go but ends up working quite well adding a unique twist to games in the genre.

I liked the concept behind Ninja or Die, and even though I just ended up feeling lukewarm towards it, some of its biggest issues can be mitigated with some patches and some extra content. As of now, dealing with glitchy controls and unfair level design makes this game a hard sell, but there is potential in this idea. It’s a really innovative roguelike, one that looks decent and makes you feel really cool once everything clicks.