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WHEN THE 'CONTINUAL GAMEPLAY' feature in Ninja Gaiden was announced, Gameplanet breathed a sigh of relief. Being able to pick up your game at exactly the point you left off might be years overdue, but for Ninja Gaiden players it couldn't come at a better time.

You see, Ninja Gaiden involves a lot of repeated visits to the same locations and it's also damned hard. Avoiding backtracking is going to be imperative to the experience. So is persistence.

We only got to play up to the first boss during our recent hands-on visit to Microsoft, but that was enough to teach us a lesson or two about the ninja mind. Your skills might make light work of the sword fodder that blocks your picturesque path to that final encounter, but you're going to need to minimise damage and get your mind into the groove to have any chance, not to mention picking up trinkets and potions to keep you alive - or, failing that, to be revived after the first death.

Your journey to this test shows off some impressively rendered landscapes, right up there with anything else on the Xbox. Your fighting moves consist of jumps, wall runs, an almost teleporting quick step and a variety of attacks. Holding the block command protects you from the entry-level repertoire of those early encounters, but with up to three enemies to deal with at once, timing your hacks and slashes can be tricky. Actually, it's not helped by a fickle camera that backs itself up and over the action when forced into a corner, but holding your guard in these situations will often allow your view to naturally correct itself.

The decapitations we performed might not make it to the final version, but even these had been made more sporadic than earlier code. The need for a long backswing and follow through make you vulnerable if you get it wrong, but it can be about the only way to ensure your foe is unavailable for further combat.

As would be expected, collecting items and traversing the mountainous path of the first level involves plenty of ninja moves and Gaiden asks the player to consider what can't be achieved as Ryu Hayabusa makes his way to the first boss.

They say anger spoils a fight, and certainly the player must exhibit a calm and considered approach to this fight. Your opponent will learn your preferred moves and counter to devastating effect. It can also take several encounters before you begin to appreciate the range of moves he has available. We found ourselves in the zone too late, but inflicting damage while just a punch away from death brought about the most satisfaction we could have before succumbing to the laws of nature and having to try again.

Experienced gamers will take each fatality on the chin and persevere, but we don't know if it's possible to save mid-fight or not. Having the time to consider what you have seen will no doubt bring many benefits to the experience, but it will also be essential to watch and learn as you go.

For those that manage to complete Ninja Gaiden, E3 this year will mark the kick-off of the Master Ninja Tournament where players around the world participate in special missions via Xbox Live over three rounds.

Unfortunately for us, Ninja Gaiden won't arrive here till mid-May, meaning completing the game and entering the entire tournament will present its own logistical challenge. Then again, it was never meant to be easy.

For more screenshots and information on this latest title in the series including the Master Ninja Tournament, visit the official site.

Features:

• Increasing skills and new weapons. As you progress through the game your skills will be rewarded with new weapons to fight your opponents and the better you beat your enemies the better you will become, unlocking new combinations and skills. Wit and skill are also rewarded as the way you play and decisions you make affect the weapons and skills you can acquire.
• Amazing visual effects. Gamers witness an amazing level of detail as they take on their opponents in a variety of environments. You'll hear the swords slicing the air and jump as gouts of blood pulse out from vanquished enemies. Beautifully rendered graphics, amazing effects and realistic combat bring Ninja Gaiden to life.
• Multiple modes. In addition to the main Story Mode, gamers can enjoy a series of mini-games which can be completed in a shorter time. Gamers that clear Ninja Gaiden's Story Mode will unlock a hidden mode
• Twenty challenging levels to complete. Your ninja skills will be put to the ultimate test as you battle through twenty levels in your mission to avenge your family.
• Continual gameplay. Once you embark on your role as a ninja hero you never have to stop - the Xbox allows you to quit the game at any time and re-start at the very same point.

Show me the screenshots!