 The game's control system, which comprises the left thumbstick, two attack buttons, and a block button, was described as fluid and responsive, and "Ninja Gaiden" was regarded as having one of the deeper combat engines among Xbox games at the time, comparing well to the action-adventures "God of War" and "Devil May Cry".Eric Williams, the designer of the "God of War" combat engine, explained that "Ninja Gaiden" prohibits players from stopping or changing attacks in mid-stroke.In contrast, "God of War" allows players to do so, and "Devil May Cry" grants this freedom to certain attacks.