Ninja Blade

Game Music

GEM Impact and The Outer Rim Take on the Ninjas: Ninja Blade Original Soundtrack (Reviews)

February 18, 2009 | Tommy Ciulla | 5 Comments Share this

I’m an honest guy, so let me just tell you something right up front before we get into this album – up until recently, I wasn’t a huge Norihiko Hibino fan. I was familiar with his work on the Zone of the Enders and Metal Gear Solid series and appreciated whatever music of his I had heard in-game, but until I had the pleasure of checking out The Outer Rim album I was merely a spectator to his work. As I listened to the spacious jazz of The Outer Rim my curiosity was piqued and I became more eager to learn more about Hibino and his musician friends at GEM Impact.

A couple of weeks ago I heard the Ninja Blade Main Theme and was completely floored. Where had I been while Hibino and the GEM Impact team were making such great music? As I thought about it, songs like “Yell ‘Dead Cell'” and “Twilight Sniping” from MGS2 came rushing back to the forefront of my memory and I realized that I had been here all along, and as such I had lots of music to search out and enjoy. And the first album up? The Ninja Blade Original Soundtrack, composed by Hibino and the rest of the GEM Impact team. And, believe you me, this is an excellent soundtrack.

Join me after the jump as I pull my head out of the sand and take a closer look at the Ninja Blade Original Soundtrack. (more…)
Game Music

Ask Hibino: American Ninjas and Crazy Japanese People

January 29, 2009 | Norihiko Hibino | 4 Comments Share this

[Editor’s Note: I guess we were overly ambitious with our once monthly plans for Ask Hibino, but we wanted to let you know we didn’t forget! This time, it’s more like “Hibino Tells,” as Hibino-san talks about GEM Impact’s work on Ninja Blade, including some behind-the-scenes details and anecdotes about the creation of the soundtrack. Be sure to check it out!]

Hello! Sorry that it’s been so long since I’ve written the “Ask Hibino” feature. GEM Impact has been quite busy, but I am happy to say that our current project, Ninja Blade, has be released in Japan today (January 29th). I thought this would be a good time to talk about the background behind Ninja Blade and the behind-the-scenes details of our work on the title.

Read the details after the jump. (more…)
Game Music

Ninja Blade Website Has the Goods: Main Theme Sample

September 4, 2008 | Jayson Napolitano | Comments Off on Ninja Blade Website Has the Goods: Main Theme Sample Share this

Yeah, after all my gushing about the Ninja Blade main theme earlier this week, you were probably curious how it could possibly be so good. Well, it’s not the entire eight-minute long epic, but there’s an edited version of the track on the official Ninja Blade website.

What are you waiting for? Get over there and listen so I can talk you through it.

It basically takes you through all the high points that I mentioned in our preview article, starting with Norihiko Hibino on saxophone. It then moves into some stealth ninja action, followed by some deadly ninja action. Why are ninjas so cool? It ends with an epic string progression, which should have you salivating and dying to hear more. Is that about right?

Are you as impressed as I am with the main theme? Are you looking forward to a soundtrack release for this game?
Game Music

First Impressions of GEM Impact’s Score for Ninja Blade on the Xbox 360

September 1, 2008 | Jayson Napolitano | 8 Comments Share this

So, you may or may not know by now that Ninja Blade has been announced for the Xbox 360. Developed by FromSoftware (creators of the awesome King’s Field series… oh, and Armored Core), and published by Microsoft, this action game looks and sounds like it’s going to be a huge hit. The title of this post says it all in terms of who’s handling the music, and the team at FromSoftware, who Hibino has had a strong relationship with over the years, is very excited to announce GEM Impact’s involvement with the game’s audio.

Well, the game isn’t due out until 2009, but we’ve been given a special sneak-peak at Ninja Blade’s score, and we’re here to tell you it’s amazing. With all the members at GEM Impact contributing, I think this is the best work the team has produced to date, combining the heavy electronic and orchestral sounds that the studio has been known for on the Metal Gear Solid series along with the Eastern stylings of the ninja. It’s definitely an emotionally charged listening experience, and I personally can’t wait to see how the music enhances the gaming experience.

Hit the jump for a preview of the main theme from Ninja Blade as well as comments from Norihiko Hibino regarding GEM Impact’s contributions to the upcoming title. (more…)