Game Reviews

Although it looks like a promising hack-and-slash sequel on the surface, Ninety-Nine Nights II is an overwhelmingly mediocre experience that offers very little beneath its stylish artwork and mildly interesting gameplay. While it may have been impressive to mow through hundreds among hundreds of enemies on-screen at once back in 2006, this title looks and feels years behind the times. Even if you're a fan of the first game, tedious grinds through lifeless levels may not hold your interest past the first few missions.

For all the genius that's been achieved in the hack-and-slash genre with games like Bayonetta, No More Heroes, and Devil May Cry, I'm always baffled to see games like Ninety-Nine Nights II. While other titles in this increasingly crowded category manage to innovate with unique artwork, memorable characters, or a catchy gameplay gimmick, Ninety-Nine Nights II (or N3II) fails to accomplish the first two, and flops disappointingly on the third. Overall, the result is a mindless game that, to quote The Onion's Chris Dahlen, feels less like extreme combat and more "like mowing the lawn."

Much in the vein of the vastly superior Dynasty Warriors franchise, Ninety-Nine Nights II tells a story of a nation at war against an invading enemy force. While Dynasty Warriors does this within the context of Ancient China, N3II tries a "God of War meets Lord of the Rings" approach, as a kingdom of elves battles for survival against an ominous evil force that looks and sounds just like the Army of Sauron. Main character Galen, your dashing, muscular protagonist, shows up in the midst of the war to defeat the Lord of the Night, carrying a pair of blades that would send Kratos running for a lawsuit. Along the way, Galen runs across a handful of archetypal companions that aid him in the war, including a beefy tank, a demure princess, and a prerequisite busty warrior babe.