Step into the dark and mysterious world of “Ninja Blade,” where gamers will be given the epic task to defend Tokyo and ultimately humanity itself from a horrific, genetically mutating disease.

High atop the towering skyscrapers of modern-day Tokyo, Ken Ogawa and his team of skilled ninjas are deployed to destroy the infected monster horde and stem the spreading disease as humanity hangs in the balance. Matters quickly take a turn for the worse as Ogawa and his team are betrayed from within their own ranks. After narrowly escaping death, Ogawa is left to fight the daunting battle alone while also attempting to understand the motivations behind his father’s betrayal.

Armed with an extensive arsenal of specialized ninja weapons, tools and skills including the powerful forces of Ninja Vision and Todomé Attack, players must fight insurmountable odds, and once again bring peace and order to Tokyo.

GEM Impact, Inc., the Tokyo-based studio headed by Metal Gear Solid series composer Norihiko Hibino announced the release dates for the upcoming Ninja Blade Original Soundtrack and the “Beanstalk” single, which acts as the Ninja Blade’s main theme performed by Japanese vocalist Yuki Koyanagi.

“Beanstalk” will be available via digital download on December 24, 2008, while the complete, 2-disc cinematic soundtrack will be released in physical and digital formats on February 4, 2009 in Japan on GEM Impact’s in-house record label, GEM Factory. The jazz-infused and highly intense score will feature close to two and a half hours of original music by GEM Impact’s Norihiko Hibino, Takahiro Izutani, Yoshitaka Suzuki, and Takahide Ayuzawa.

“This is GEM Impact’s greatest achievement to date,” noted GEM Impact, Inc. composer and CEO Norihiko Hibino. “The Ninja Blade Original Soundtrack combines each of our talents and encapsulates the exotic sounds of Japan while striking a balance between riveting action cues and warm live performances that give the score a unique sound.” Sensational Japanese vocalist Yuki Koyanagi’s captivating voice also lends the album a worldwide appeal, with vocals sung in both English and Japanese.

Key Features:

• Unique ninja abilities. To help defeat the genetically mutated monsters, players will have the special abilities of Ninja Vision and Todomé Attack at their fingertips. Enabling Ninja Vision will allow players to detect and analyze potential enemy weak points, secret paths and hidden information within the environment. Beware, though, that while using Ninja Vision, characters become susceptible to excess damage. Todomé Attack is a special attack that destroys an enemy character’s core (heart), by dealing a fatal wound. Balanced and calculated use of both these abilities will be critical to progressing through the game.
• Variety of weapons, tools and Ninjutsu — specialized Ninja powers — offer an enticing array of options. Varied environments force players to think strategically about which set of weapons and tools will be most effective at conquering their way through different levels. Everything from dual-wielding swords to grapple wire hooks and grenades has distinctive features and characteristics, so choose wisely! Ninjutsu is a special power that results in an explosive electrical force to either stun enemies or protect oneself from attack. Only true Ninja Masters can achieve this technique.
• Interactive quick-time events. Scattered throughout integral parts of the storyline, characters will come across various quick-time events where players will have the opportunity to directly interact with in-game cut scenes. Quick reflexes will be rewarded as players interact with controller buttons as directed on screen during intense battles.
• Modern realism. “Ninja Blade” offers a fresh twist to the classic ninja saga by basing all 3-D gaming maps directly from the actual skyscrapers and building tops in modern-day Tokyo.

Ninja Blade is currently scheduled to launch early 2009.