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1%% Administrivia/ZeroContextExample entries are not allowed on wiki pages. All such entries have been commented out. Add context to the entries before uncommenting them.
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3[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/shinobido.jpg]]
4''Shinobido: Imashime'' (''Shinobido: Way of the Ninja'' in Europe) is a stealth-based video game set in old Japan developed by Acquire. It is something of a {{spiritual successor}} to the first two ''VideoGame/{{Tenchu}}'' games developed by Acquire themselves during a time when the ''Tenchu'' IP holders (Creator/{{Activision}} and later Creator/FromSoftware) decided to have other developers handle the later entries.
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6It follows the story of Goh, the young and talented ninja from the Asuka clan, who suffers from a strange amnesia. Soon, he finds out that his clan was exterminated, with a few survivors, and the only chance of regaining his memory lies in some mysterious [[MacGuffin Purple Stones]] that contain fragments of his memory. In order to find them, he starts working for three powers (the Ichijo Clan, the Akame Clan and the Amurita Sect) in order to find all the purple fragments and find out what happened to him. He'll have to deal with rival clans, thick plots, two mysterious ninja who seem to know him well, and a masked evil sorcerer who's apparently after him.
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8Despite not being very well known, ([[NoExportForYou probably because it was never released in the US]]), it's a very good, challenging game, with interesting characters and realism.
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10It has a spinoff on the PSP, titled ''Shinobido Homura'' ("Shinobido Tales of the Ninja" in Europe). It re-uses most assets from the original game and re-treads the same plot, though it's structured differently and technically does take place after the events of the original game.
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12A third game is available for the UsefulNotes/PlayStationVita, titled ''Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen''.
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14After years of inactivity, Goh himself makes a return in, of all things, ''Neptunia x Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars'', a {{Crossover}} between ''VideoGame/SenranKagura'' and ''VideoGame/{{Neptunia}}'', as a GuestFighter and [[GenderBender a woman]].
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16----
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18!! The series contains examples of:
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20[[foldercontrol]]
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22[[folder:Shared by all games]]
23
24[[/folder]]
25
26[[folder:Shinobido Way of the Ninja]]
27%%* ActionGirl: Kinu, the Mosu ninja and, surprisingly, Lady Sadame herself.
28* AmazonBrigade: The Mosu Ninja are composed of kunoichi.
29* AnachronismStew: Nigiri Sushi was not invented until the early [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sushi#Nigirizushi Nineteenth Century]].
30* AnimalMotifs: All the Asuka Ninja are nicknamed after birds. Goh is the Crow.
31* ArtificialStupidity: Characters don't care about hitting their allies when making attacks, or using offensive items. Also, during Guard missions, player's charge might tend to wander off after they become alerted, which might make use of mines... problematic.
32* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: All the high-ranking enemies, like generals, Barbarian chieftains, clan leaders and Ninja leaders are stronger and more durable than other low-level mooks. However, all of them (except for the Ninja leaders) can be slain in one stealth attack. if you do things right.
33* AxCrazy: Many of the rival ninjas, including Kabuto.
34* BearsAreBadNews: Bears are really dangerous, but they can be used against your enemies if you're lucky.
35%%* BigBad: Gamuran.
36* {{BFS}}: Kabuto's weapon is a large cleaver-like sword. [[ThrowingYourSwordAlwaysWorks And he usually tosses it.]]
37* BlackAndGrayMorality: Regarding the Three main factions in Ukataka. They all have good intentions but also downsides.
38%%* BladeBelowTheShoulder: The Taraba Ninja's main melee weapon.
39* BoobyTrap: You can set these, including bombs, mines and [[StuffBlowingUp explosive sushi]]!
40* BoringYetPractical: The easiest way to kill strong enemies is to bombard the with shurikens from far away.
41* BottomlessPits: A part of maps in mountainous areas has those - although, with exception of a few spots, they are more of a natural boundary of the map, than an obstacle. On other maps, ordinary wells work like that.
42* BrainwashedAndCrazy: [[spoiler: Goh during his service for Gamuran against his own clan.]]
43* CoolSword: The mystic sword in the Asuka shrine. [[spoiler: It's later used to kill Gamuran.]]
44* ConservationOfNinjutsu: Averted. If your enemies outnumber you, then you should start running for your life and hide somewhere. And many ninja will probably make mincemeat out of you.
45* ContractualBossImmunity: Each and every enemy in game (even bears, Samurai Generals and leaders) can be taken out with one sneak attack. However, all the ninja leaders, Zaji and Gamuran are immune to stealth kills, even if you should be able to land one on them.
46%%* ChekhovsGun: [[spoiler: The Sword in the Asuka Shrine.]]
47* {{Cloudcuckoolander}}: Both [[CreepyTwins Ageha and Usuba]] have shades of this. Hebitonbo of the Kenobi ninja is also a bit crazy.
48* CuttingTheKnot: If you choose a mission taking place in a main headquarters' location of a faction, you may go and try to kill the warlord, even if they are not an actual target. [[DownplayedTrope Downplayed]], since most of the time you won't get any missions in such locations, unless you've already knocked that warlord's forces low.
49** Similarily, missions in faction's fortress locations give you the opportunity to find and kill generals, even if that's not the objective. Be mindful that mission evaluation is still only based on completing the actual mission.
50* DarkIsNotEvil: Despite the outfit and the AnimalMotifs Goh is not really evil.
51* DashAttack: Available to Goh and some other characters and stronger enemies. While it needs some room to be used correctly and safely, it will break target's guard if blocked, while leaving you in perfect position to attack.
52* DeathOfAThousandCuts: Using shurikens to take down enemies, expecially the stronger ones.
53* [[spoiler: DownerEnding: Gamuran is dead and the secrets of necromancy inside his mind are gone, but Zaji died believing that Goh is still a traitor and Kinu goes away on her own, leaving Goh alone.]]
54* TheDragon: Kabuto to Gamuran. [[spoiler: Shockingly we later find out that Goh used to be Gamuran's Dragon.]]
55* DressingAsTheEnemy: Usuba disguises herself as Kinu in order to assassinate Goh.
56* DualBoss: Both Ageha&Usuba and Hebitonbo&Uzumushi. But you only need to defeat one of them to win.
57* DualWielding: The Samurai Generals often wields a couple of swords. The Barbarian Chief does the same thing with stone axes.
58* DumbMuscle: The Barbarians are far from smart. Also Hebitonbo and Uzumushi, whose brains combined barely make half a normal one.
59* EarnYourHappyEnding: [[spoiler: If you manage to gain the trust of both the three factions (by not getting spotted in missions), then in the end, Zaji is saved and Goh, Kinu and Zaji decide to start the Asuka Ninja clan anew under Zaji's rule.]]
60* EliteMooks: The other ninja, as soon as they start to appear alongside mooks.
61* EpicFlail: Kinu's weapon is a weird, multi-bladed flail. She can use it to stab people and strangle them with the chain. Uzumushi wields a long pole with a gargantuan iron orb connected to the top.
62* EscortMission: In many missions you'll have to escort a huge carriage carrying provisions for one of the factions. At least it goes right to the exit on its own and is really resistant to damage. Also in some missions you'll have to guard a merchant or a Samurai General and stop eventual killers.
63* EvilSorcerer: Gamuran. [[spoiler:He's also undead and needs a special spell guarded by the Asuka ninjas to regain a body.]]
64* EyeScream: Zaji lost his right eye to [[spoiler: Gamuran during the destruction of the Asuka village]].
65%%* EyepatchOfPower: Zaji.
66* FamilyUnfriendlyDeath: [[spoiler:Ageha has [[{{Acrofatic}} Uzumushi]] slammed on her EpicFlail -first from above and is crushed.]] Also some of the Insta-Kill attacks you can do.
67%%* {{Fanservice}}
68* FakeBoobs: In order to pass for Kinu, Ageha apparently decided to... pack her bust up..
69--> '''Usuba''': [[HoYay (after taking a long gaze down Ageha's cleavage)]] "... Impressive... shame they're fake."
70%%* FatBastard: Kagetora Akame. Also Uzumushi.
71* FateWorseThanDeath: [[spoiler:Oji is trapped into a cat's body and is destined to eventually lose his human mind.]]
72%%* FemmeFatale: Lady Sadame.
73* ForcedTransformation: At one point [[spoiler: Gamuran imprisons Goh's soul [[CursedWithAwesome in a bear's body]]. Also Onji whose soul was put in a cat's body]].
74* GameOver: Notably, failing usual missions won't end the game, even if your character seemingly, obviously died. Failure in story missions, however, results in a game over - those missions even have a warning message when selected.
75* GameOverMan: Sometimes if you die from an enemy attack, the enemy in question will be shown celebrating their victory and/or taunting you.
76* GoodIsDumb: Nobutero Ichijo, Goh's former master, is well-natured and intentioned, but he's not very smart and is sadly weak-willed.
77* GottaCatchThemAll: The purple stones (Goh's Soul fragments) containing his memories.
78* GrapplingHookPistol: You can use a useful grapple hook to reach high spots, avoid pits or, if you're lucky, drag victims in chasm with a well aimed shot.
79* TheGuardsMustBeCrazy: Zigzagged. As you proceed, they'll start to react to your tactics in a more careful way.
80* GuideDangIt: Using alchemy without reading the manual is suicide. [[DifficultButAwesome It's a very powerful ally if you pull it off]], however. It makes [[HarderThanHard higher difficulties]] [[NintendoHard much more bearable]].
81* HandicappedBadass: Kinu has a prosthetic arm that [[spoiler: she loses to the spell to release the sword when Goh freed Gamuran]].
82* HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler:Cat-Ojii does one against Gamuran to buy Goh some time.]]
83* HighlyVisibleNinja: The Taraba Ninja. Dear God, the Taraba Ninja. They're huge and they wear a ton of armor which makes a strong, clanking noise whenever they take a step or even breathe. Their main weapon is a ''mortar cannon'' on their backs. Their leader Kabuto takes this up to eleven.
84** On nother note, no enemy ninja clan uses anything comparable to subtlety, when they attack during Guard missions.
85%%* HitmanWithAHeart: Goh and Kinu, the playable characters.
86* HollywoodCyborg: Kabuto, whose mouth is completely replaced by a metallic beartrap-like maw with a [[BreathWeapon flamethrower]] built in.
87* ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice: You can do this to some enemies. [[spoiler: Also Zaji's death in the end.]]
88* InformedAbility: Gamuran's necromancy.
89* {{Jerkass}}: Kabuto and Kagetora Akame. Sadame is more hedonistic and selfish than jerkass.
90* KatanasAreJustBetter: Goh's only weapon is a shinobigatana, and many high ranked enemies like yojimbos and Samurais wield those. Heck, even Lady Sadame has one!
91* KickTheDog: [[spoiler: Goh killing Ageha and Usuba's sister in cold blood for no reason. Gamuran made him do that.]]
92* KillItWithFire: You can install fire-spitting traps in your garden. The Taraba Ninja (Including Kabuto) have firethrowers of some sort on them, which they can also use to get rid of eventual corpses.
93* KilledOffForReal: Let's see... Hebitonbo, [[spoiler: Ageha, Kabuto, Zaji (in the usual ending) and Onji]].
94* KillerRabbit: On of the avaible items is a toy duckling/lizard which can be used as a distraction. High level ones can blow up when picked by the guards, killing them all.
95* KungFuProofMook: Taraba Ninja, similarily to Savage Leaders and bears, can only be stealth killed from back or front, with no option of catching them from below, above, or from a corner, which forces the player to come out of hiding to get them; also, the (unskippable) animations for those stealth kills are quite long, increasing the risk of getting caught.
96** Additionally, if you use a specific type of item or effect too much, enemies from that faction might catch on and avoid the overused trick - for example, they might make themselves immune to a certain effect, or start noticing mines. They will stop being cautious after playing several missions without using the method in question.
97* LandMineGoesClick: The extremely useful mines. Once someone steps on them, he's gone. [[HoistByHisOwnPetard Even you, if you're not careful.]]
98* LargeAndInCharge: Kabuto. Also the Barbarian Chief, who is always taller than any other savage.
99%%* LaserGuidedAmnesia: Goh.
100* LatexPerfection: When Ageha disguises herself as Kinu. She's perfectly identical. [[spoiler: Except for the right arm.]]
101* LeaningOnTheFourthWall: When you quit the game, Goh will look directly in the camera.
102* LeaveNoWitnesses: [[InvokedTrope Invoked]] by game mechanics - undertaking a mission against a lord (which is what you will be doing, most of the time, propably) will result in the reduction of that lord's trust towards you (even drastically, if you've recently worked for them), unless there won't be any living witnesses who've seen you after the mission. That requires either [[StealthRun avoiding being spotted at all,]] or making sure to kill any enemy who have seen you.
103* MalevolentMaskedMan: Gamuran. [[spoiler:He reveals his face after his resurrection.]]
104* MentorMascot: Onji [[spoiler:is actually the cat that has been always around your hideout. Don't ask how he could have written those letters]].
105* MindOverMatter: Gamuran's spells allow him to stop bullets in midair and levitate people.
106* {{Mooks}}: The various soldiers and guards from the factions. In some missions they'll may be even helpful (or at least, they won't attack you).
107* MultipleEndings: Hint: [[spoiler:Don't favor any one of the factions too much.]]
108* MurderousThighs: Kinu's aerial stealth kill. The enemies [[MsFanservice will die happy]].
109* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: [[spoiler: Goh, after finding out his horrible deeds under Gamuran's rule.]]
110* {{Necromancer}}: Gamuran's plan is to learn the legendary spells in order to create an army of zombies.
111* NewGamePlus: With all the loot from the previous playthrough, [[AndYourRewardIsClothes extra costumes]], new modes [[spoiler: and playable Kinu from the start]].
112* NiceJobBreakingItHero:
113** [[spoiler:Goh accidentaly freed Gamuran from the Asuka Shrine by removing the sword that sealed him away.]]
114** PlayedForLaughs in the introduction of the Kenobi leaders Uzumushi and Hebitonbo, where the latter kills a passerby in a very badass way.... only to find out that he was their client.
115%%* {{Ninja}}
116* NinjaRun: Obviously. Notable case is that Kenobi Ninja move [[RunDontWalk in this way only.]]
117* NintendoHard: The last missions tends to be this. Also one specific mission for Kagetora Akame has you put against a ''whole pack of Bears in the forest'' and you must kill all of them. Have fun...
118* NotDistractedByTheSexy: Goh seems immune to Lady Sadame's charms. [[MsFanservice The player, on the other hand...]]
119* OneHitKill:
120** Using a stealth kill will allow you to insta-kill a enemy. It has several variations based on the situation. Eg, normally Goh will grab his victim from behind and slice his throat, while when attacking from above he'll grab his victim's head in midair and snap his neck.
121** The wells. If you fall into a well or toss your opponent into one, you're/he's as good as dead.
122* OptionalStealth: All levels are supposed to be stealthy, including duels, kidnappings and assassinations. You can still try to use a more direct approach, but it will be much more dangerous, and you'll get less reward if you're spotted. And the GoldenEnding pretty much require absolute stealth.
123* PermanentlyMissableContent: When the savages raid your house, any stolen item is gone if not recovered. Thankfully, they only take replaceable items like ingredients or shurikens. [[SubvertedTrope You can buy stolen items back from the item shop, though]], for an inflated price.
124* PlayingWithFire: The Taraba Ninjas can use flamethrower-devices as weapons or in order to cremate corpses.
125* PoweredArmor: The Taraba ninja, who forfeited their right to be called ninja by wearing those ironclads!
126* RagdollPhysics: Affect all characters, both on death, when knocked-out, or knocked down for any reason. For whatever reason, a body sent flying ragdolled will fall slower than a not-ragdolled character.
127* RecurringBoss: Zaji is fought three times. The other ninja leaders can also challenge you to a duel several times during the course of the game.
128* RedBaron: "Karasu" (Crow) for Goh and "Kurotaka" (Blackhawk) for Zaji. Subverted by Kinu, who's nicknamed "Kanaria" (Canary).
129%%* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: Ageha, Usuba and Zaji.
130* {{Ronin}}: The Yojimbos in later missions. They're quite dangerous, but at least they don't call for reinforcements.
131* {{Samurai}}: The Samurai Generals are this.
132* ScarfOfAsskicking: Goh. It may not be as flashy as [[VideoGame/{{Shinobi}} Hotsuma's]], but is still badass.
133* ScaryImpracticalArmor: Kabuto. He can barely walk properly in that stuff.
134%%* SealedEvilInACan: [[spoiler:Gamuran was one, and freed by Goh.]]
135* StealthBasedMission: In some missions you'll have to avoid getting spotted. If you fail, however, you simply lose points.
136* ShowingOffTheNewBody: Ageha-Kinu checks her disguise (and her boobs) after finishing it.
137* ShutUpHannibal: [[spoiler: During the last fight, Gamuran gets interrupted thrice, courtesy of Kinu (who gives the Asuka Sword to Goh), then Onji (who bites his arm) and, finally Goh, who stabs him in the head before he can finish casting his soul breaking spell again.]]
138* StockNinjaWeaponry: Goh can use a Ninjato and also shuriken, makibishi and smoke bombs.
139* StuffBlowingUp: Part of your arsenal is composed by smokebombs, mines, exploding toys and even explosive sushi. Also the large buckets of powder in Rokudo Valley and the bombs in one of the fortresses.
140* TheGuardsMustBeCrazy: The riceball trick from [[VideoGame/{{Tenchu}} Tenchu]] still works - most enemies will happily go, pick up and eat a treat thrown somewhere, even if they've seen it flying (although in this case, they will have to go out of their "suspicion" phase before they will actually go pick up the item).
141* ThrowingYourSwordAlwaysWorks: Not really as a weapon, but as a distraction. You can pick up and throw not only swords, but also axes, bladerings, jittes, bows, muskets and small buckets. Only the bladed items can actually damage someone.
142* TooDumbToLive:
143** Hebitonbo, who gets killed by [[spoiler: a watermill]] and his brother Uzumushi.
144** Kabuto tries to use one of the Soul Fragments as a Mumbo Jumbo-weapon against Gamuran and gets pwned as a result.
145* {{Twincest}}: Ageha and Usuba are probably not only sisters but also lovers.
146* VideogameCrueltyPotential: Some deaths are really nasty, including drowning people in low waters, breaking their necks, slicing their throats open or make them fall into bottomless chasms. You can also grab the small kennels with the little dog inside and toss them down a well. [[note]]You have to aim carefully though, and this has some practical use since it stops them from barking which alerts everyone to your location, Mind, turning over the kernel also helps.[[/note]]
147* VillainousBreakdown: The various faction leaders will send you letters (and cutscenes) as you slowly defeat them and weaken their faction. Sadame's breakdown is the most noticeable, since she goes from histerically screaming against you to covering in fear behind her sex to- er, Buddha idol.
148* WallJump: Alongside with WallRun, playable characters can perform it to reach places otherwise inaccessible, without stopping movement.
149* WhatTheHellHero: Ageha and Usuba gives one to Goh when he lets them go after their first fight.
150* WhipSword: Hebitonbo has one concealed in his armlet/shield which doubles as a BladeBelowTheShoulder.
151%%* YouKilledMyFather: Ageha and Usuba's reason for their revenge.
152%%* YourDaysAreNumbered: [[spoiler:Akame]]'s reason for conquering Utakata.
153[[/folder]]
154
155[[folder:Shinbido Tales of the Ninja]]
156* OldSaveBonus: In a way. You can export user-created maps from the [=PS2=] version into the PSP version using their respective export/import option and a USB connection. You can also export the developer made example levels.
157[[/folder]]
158
159[[folder:Shinbido 2: Revenge of Zen]]
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