Developed by Sega and released for Sony's Playstation 2 in 2002, Shinobi World 2: Scarfbi in the City is the follow-up to the Master System cult classic Alex Kidd in Shinobi World. An early innovator in the modern stylish character action game genre, it is renowned amongst game fans for its high level of difficulty and as the industry's preeminent scarf simulator.Taking place in modern Japan, it tells the story of a beautiful scarf on its journey to rid the world of inferior neckwear. Along for the ride is Scarfbi's sidekick, Hotsuma, who carries the scarf ala Mario riding Yoshi in Super Mario World 2.
Scarfbi imbues Hotsuma with the mystical power of Tate (pronounced tah-teh, the Japanese word for "fabulous", which has its etymological routes in the English surname Tate, taken from Catherine Tate who inspired early Japanese linguists on her travels with the Doctor).
Tate is a core gameplay concept of Shinobi World 2 and is initiated when Hotsuma kills a number of enemies in quick succesion, a violent Tate attack will occur, imbuing Scarfbi with the souls of their dead neckerchiefs.
Shinobi World 2: Scarfbi in the City comes recommended to fans of both action games and neckwear and is now available as part of the Playstation Network’s PS2 Classics lines.
