Ninja

Ninja is a 1986 action game that wastes very little time explaining the job description. You are a ninja, there are enemies, and they would prefer that you stop being quite so successful. The game focuses on combat, movement, and navigating dangerous environments while using the skills of a stealthy warrior. The concept is wonderfully straightforward, reflecting an era when a title could effectively summarize the entire plot in one word. Players must deal with opponents, obstacles, and the usual collection of hazards that make being a ninja considerably more stressful than popular culture suggests. There are no lengthy philosophical discussions about the meaning of honor; mostly, there are enemies and the need to defeat them. Ninja is a compact example of early action gaming, where reflexes matter, the scenery is dangerous, and apparently everyone has a personal objection to your continued progress.