SmartyScore: 82 out of 100 (Reviewed on PlayStation 3)

An RPG made with a younger audience in mind, Mini Ninjas is a nice mix of simplicity and creativity.

Size doesn't matter, especially when you're a ninja, as this imposing villain is about to find out.

The protagonist is Hiro, a young ninja who, along with his rotund friend Futo, are the last hope to save their friends and their homes.

Hiro and Futo travel together, yet there is only one character on the screen at a time. Mini Ninjas uses a character swap feature, which allows the player to switch between ninjas, as one may be more appropriate for a situation than another. More playable characters are added to the entourage as the game progresses.

Awaiting Hiro and his friends is a beautiful world, vibrant in color and detailed in design. Hiro can interact with every aspect of the environment, such as riding rapids in his hat or shaking the controller while climbing an apple tree to replenish health. Look out for two things: items that can be used for a myriad of things and save points, shrines shaped like mini bird feeders that are the only option for saving game progress.

The standard attacks in Mini Ninjas are, well … standard. The square button can basically win you the game as long as you have a lightning-fast trigger finger. Occasionally enemies will block your attacks; lucky for Hiro and friends, the triangle button performs a block-breaking attack which will stun the enemy and allow Hiro to wail on them. Essentially, Hiro can defeat any enemy in usually any quantity, and although the lack of a real challenge would typically be disappointing, considering that Mini Ninjas is aiming for a younger crowd it is understandable.

That said, Hiro and friends all have some awesome powers and weapons. For instance, Hiro can embody any woodland creature running around, be it a squirrel, rabbit or even bear. This is a helpful strategy to avoid a large group of enemies by turning into a rabbit, or beating them all up by turning into a bear – it all depends on what animals are around you at the time. Other characters have interesting powers as well. Suzume carries a flute with her at all times, which can enchant those around her. After lulling them to a temporary sleep, Suzume can then whoop up on her foes and move on. Tora is basically a little tiger, quick with sharp claws. Slice through tall grass, enemies and apples the quickest with him.

This is the kind of game that anyone can enjoy, young or old, gamer or nongamer. The role playing genre is one of the best in video games, and Mini Ninjas, by Eidos, gives everyone a chance to play. Typically ninja games are gory, graphic, overly violent and sometimes even has Japanese voice overs and only English subtitles – what 10-year-old wants to read translated Japanese when they’re playing video games?

Mini Ninjas’ difficulty may only be a 5 out of 10, but the entertainment and fun value earns it a much higher score.

** Official game website