It is actually very good. Also, what do you mean "just another crappy ninja game" ? There are only like 2 different ninja series. Ninja Gaiden and Tenchu. Ninja Gaiden should be name Samurai Gaiden as you are forced to fight and you can't sneak. Tenchu on the other hand is actually a ninja game where you are meant to sneak, but you can really play however you want to. If you wanna sneak, you can. If you wanna kill, you can. Also, there isn't a specific direction for most of the maps. You aren't FORCED in any direction, but there is a certain place that you must get to and to get there you must either look around and find it or listen to the NPC's conversations. The map is extrememly open....