A ninja is supposed to be quick, quiet, and difficult to spot. A chubby purple pig has a few disadvantages on that front. Ninja Pig on Woko Games gets its humor from that mismatch, then puts its unlikely hero to work in a side-scrolling platformer. Aliens have invaded Earth, and apparently this is the guy we’re sending to deal with them.
You guide him over obstacles and uneven platforms, using shurikens to take out enemies along the way. Ten increasingly challenging stages lead to a showdown with the final boss. Despite the goofy character design, the platforming needs your attention. A missed jump or a careless advance onto an occupied platform can cut the mission short.
Your supply of throwing stars adds another consideration. Shurikens are collected along the route, and the counter in the upper-left corner shows how many you have left. Holding nothing back might get an enemy out of the way, but it won’t necessarily earn you the best result. Star ratings reward completing a stage in one attempt, defeating enemies, and finishing with ammunition left over. Getting through is one thing; getting through efficiently takes better judgment.
The colorful scenery suits the absurd premise. Orange blocks topped with green grass sit against a golden sky and dark temple silhouettes, with the purple pig easy to pick out in the foreground. Platform edges are clearly defined, giving you a good view of where you need to land. The harder part is dividing your attention between that landing spot and the enemy waiting ahead. A clean stretch of jumps and well-timed throws feels satisfying, especially when you reach the other side with a healthy supply of shurikens.
That balance gives the game something to chase beyond simply reaching the exit. You can scrape through a stage, or try again with fewer mistakes and less wasted ammo. For a hero who looks more prepared for lunch than an alien invasion, the little pig asks quite a bit of the person at the keyboard. Getting him to the final boss is your problem. Looking ridiculous while doing it is his specialty.
