There’s a bit of a biased article by SMH a while ago on Soldier of Fortune: Payback being banned for sale in Australia. Now that the game has gone gold and is ready to ship on November 13, I feel a bit miffed that we’re missing out.

Again. 

It’s not the only game targetted by the Classification Board - Manhunt, Reservoir Dogs and 50 Cent: Bullet Proof were also banned from being sold here.

It’s one thing to say, "that’s just the way it is - if you don’t like it, then get out". Yes, I enjoy living in this prosperous country and I’m happy to abide by its laws and mandates, as long as they are within reason. But for something as trivial as adding another ratings level on a video game? Something that, in principle, should prevent kids from exposure to adult content?

I think there are a couple of assumptions being made here.

• Violent games turn people into crazed killers. Granted, not everyone is the same and some people are more susceptible to influence than others, but there are divided views on the subject. I think a majority of the Classifications Board are firmly on one side of the fence, and won’t budge any time soon.
• Games are played by kids. I’m not exactly the most mature role model for your offspring, but I know the difference between a polygonal gun and a real one (real guns are too inaccurate ).

I think it’s time that the Classification Board realises that gamers nowadays are all grown up. If they think that an R-rating can’t prevent kids from playing games, then there should be some responsibilities delegated to ensuring that games / TV / porn don’t end up as parental substitutes.

I can imagine it’s all too easy to just buy your kids a game to eat up a few days, but would you go ahead and buy a copy of Soldier of Fortune: Payback for your 14 year old if you saw the R-rating on the cover?

Whatever. I’m considering importing this on principle alone, but the SoF series has always held a special place in my heart. 

There was a "buy 2 preowned get 1 free" sale at EB today, and I decided to pick up a copy of Ninja Gaiden. I’m sure there was a copy of Ninja Gaiden Black if I dug a little deeper in the pile, but lunch breaks only go for so long when you actually remember to eat.

For an Xbox 1 game Ninja Gaiden is actually a fine piece of work. I found the whole setting transition from "Sombre Japanese Village" to "Steampunk Techno Zepplin" a bit offputting, but it’s still good fun. The pacing is nice and fast, the animations are fluid, and the button combos are a nice touch, although I’m still at the stage where mashing the X and Y buttons at different angles yields the most profitable results.

There is one gripe I have with it, and that’s the difficulty. Now for a console n3wb such as myself, who is still finding his way around a thumbstick, Ninja Gaiden can induce a bit of a sweaty brow. I found the first boss quite challenging; that is, until I found the block button, and even then it was a bit of a struggle to get through without using any potions.

Now I’m currently stuck at the boss with that lightning gun thing. It’s either finish him off tonight and retain my pride as a polygonal ninja master, or make a start on studying for my Journo law / ethics exam next week.

I think the choice is obvious.

Anyways, good value and a keeper in my books.