Ninja Blade

The player plays as a modern-day ninja, using a katana, twin swords and broad sword as the main weapon to the hostile creatures. Ninja Blade takes up a combat system similar to Ninja Gaiden or Devil May Cry. A chi bar is used up when "ninja vision" or ninjutsu is used. The gameplay is highly cinematic, relying on quick time events to finish missions; after attacking a boss until the health bar is empty, the player must perform a finishing move called the "todome".

In 2011, a group of oversized rats attack a small Northern African village, infecting its inhabitants with an unknown hookworm parasite, classified as "Alpha-worm", which alters its hosts' bodies and minds while increasing their strength and resilience. To prevent an outbreak, the military raid the quarantine zone and exterminate the infected, while the incident is covered up by the government. Military intelligence forms a containment task force called GUIDE (Global United Infestation Detection and Elimination), recruiting operatives from around the world.

Four years later, a GUIDE ninja team, including the young Ken Ogawa and led by his father Kanbe, is dispatched to Tokyo to contain a massive Alpha-worm outbreak, which the JSDF have failed to contain. Following Kanbe's trail, Ken chases and defeats an Arachne creature, however Kanbe and teammate Kuroh, having been infected by King Worms, slaughter the entire unit. Kanbe runs Ken through with the clan's 'Ninja Blade', narrowly missing his heart—something a master swordsman could only do on purpose. After a quick recovery, Ken is dispatched solo back to the city.

The concept for Ninja Blade initially came when FromSoftware tried to create a game that conveyed the same intense sequences as those of Hollywood action films. FromSoftware worked with Microsoft Game Studios Japan in creating the game's protagonist, Ken Ogawa. Producer Masanori Takeuchi said: "We worked closely with Microsoft in creating Ken. They provided us with lots of useful feedback and insightful consumer research of worldwide gamers.

By cooperating and working together, Ken has become more appealing to a wider audience." The character was designed by Capcom 2nd Character Development Studio designer Keiji Nakaoka.

Overall, the game has received mixed to positive reviews. Ninja Blade was named Game of the Month in the June 2009 issue of GamePro, with a rating of 5/5 stars. In GameSpot's The Best of 2009 awards, it was one of the five titles nominated for Best Game No One Played.