Largely thanks to the Japanese, Japan has been done to death in videogames – but it’s been a while since a title captured the mysticism of the old country as evocatively as Mini Ninjas.

Childish appearance aside, it’s an absolutely beautiful game. You play as Hiro, the last hope of a small clan attempting to thwart a nefarious evil overlord.

He’s joined on his travels by a colourful cast of ninja friends who can be switched between at any time.

The environment is seamless and rich, and nature plays a prominent role, offering river rafting shortcuts and encouraging the picking of flora and fauna to create health replenishing potions.

The stylised landscape is immersive, filled with thundering waterfalls, snowy mountains and bamboo forests. Rarely have aesthetics counted so much toward replay value, but Mini Ninjas’s captivating world urges you to find out what’s around the next corner.

Although it’s been totally nailed in terms of graphics, it does lack diversity. A range of spells and power-ups spice things up a bit, but never has a game cried out so hard for some Zelda style puzzles. There’s a little stealth, a few nice set-pieces and some pretty cool bosses – but the core play is too basic to really excite.

Not since the Super Nintendo’s Legend of Mystical Ninja has a Japanese themed game been so endearing, and kids will absolutely love it.

For adults it’s an attractive, relaxing experience – but the hack and slash action is undoubtedly repetitive.

A shame, yes, but certainly no disaster.

Seven out of Ten
Out now
Format: Xbox 360/Playstation 3/Wii Price: £37.99
Contact: www.eidos.co.uk