Kamikaze 2: The Way of Ninja

Too often games that immerse you in the world of feudal Japan, ninjas and samurai rely on the irresistible appeal of superhuman martial arts skills. Glinting blades and clashing fists certainly have their place, but it might just be that the mobile phone is better suited to more thoughtful gaming experiences.

For that reason, it's good to see the Kamikaze role-playing series making a return, despite the fact the first game left little impression.

Kamikaze 2: The Way of Ninja puts you in control of Fujiama, a brooding ninja who tries to escape his murderous lifestyle but instead loses himself in a mission to avenge his massacred villagers, and ultimately save the entire region from an imminent threat.

Typically, RPGs are defined by a lack of immediate action, instead offering plenty of text to read and statistics to juggle. Kamikaze 2: The Way of Ninja does little to change this, but uses an interface that vastly simplifies turn-based battles, weapon upgrades and magical abilities. The controls are tidy and straightforward, and in no time at all you'll be happily harvesting 'experience points' and protecting your health bar with miraculous spells.

However, what RPGs are supposed to offer in return for their rather measly action offerings is plenty of atmosphere, strategy and challenge. Sadly Kamikaze 2: The Way of Ninja is rather too simple to plod through, and ultimately lacks story and substance.

Despite some intricate and appealing graphics that do conjure up a sense of a distant and enchanting world, the game's scripting does nothing to sweep you away, muddling up modern slang and ancient verse.

And even by RPG standards, Kamikaze 2: The Way of Ninja is remarkably slow. Exploring and fighting trundles along nicely, but very little actually happens as the game unfolds. Far too much time is spent crossing vast swathes of identical grassland as you move between locations, and sadly Herocraft seems to have diluted something that could have been great into this rather watered-down offering.

For die-hard role-playing fans with time to spare, and those with a thirst for feudal Japan, there's something worth picking up, but if you're looking for an introduction to mobile RPGs, there's little need to visit this particular slice of history.