Notebook Ninja

Overview

Notebook Ninja carves out its niche in the beat 'em up genre with a charmingly minimalist notebook aesthetic that immediately sets it apart. This stick-figure brawler faithfully recreates the classic side-scrolling arcade experience, delivering straightforward combat and satisfying weapon mechanics wrapped in intentionally rudimentary visuals. While the deliberately simplistic presentation may initially seem underwhelming, the core gameplay reveals surprising depth that resonates with genre enthusiasts.

Stick-Figure Combat with Classic Roots

The combat system stands as Notebook Ninja's strongest asset, directly channeling the spirit of genre pioneers like Double Dragon and Final Fight. Players control an unnamed stick-figure warrior navigating notebook-paper environments, engaging in satisfyingly responsive brawls against equally simplistic foes. The mechanics shine through their purity: punch, kick, and grapple your way through waves of enemies while moving steadily rightward across the page.

What elevates the experience is the dynamic weapon system. Early opponents arrive empty-handed, but progressively tougher enemies wield bats, knives, and other implements that dramatically alter combat flow. The satisfying twist comes when defeating these armed adversaries – players can immediately seize their dropped weapons and turn them against the next wave. This creates rhythmic combat loops where disarming an enemy often becomes the key to overcoming the next challenge.

It's true to the genre and has a neat sense of humour. For fans of the genre, this is recommended.

Gohst

Notebook Aesthetic: Charm or Limitation?

The game's defining visual approach – everything rendered as notebook scribbles and stick figures – proves divisive. On one hand, this minimalist style creates cohesive worldbuilding where every element feels intentionally crafted. Backgrounds feature graph paper textures, margin lines, and handwritten environmental details that sell the classroom fantasy. Character animations lean into the premise with deliberately crude movements that mirror how children might imagine stick-figure battles.

However, this artistic commitment demands player buy-in. The visuals intentionally avoid flashy effects or detailed character models, which may disappoint those expecting modern brawler polish. Environmental variety also faces limitations within the notebook concept, with stages differentiated primarily through color palette shifts rather than fundamentally new settings. This aesthetic choice becomes the game's most noticeable barrier to entry, though players who embrace the concept find it enhances the overall charm.