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IGN Review of Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2
If you were to round up the founding fathers of videogame characters the group would likely be comprised of an elf, a zombie, a plumber, a generic space marine and, of course, a ninja. These masked warriors have been slicing and dicing their way through our games since the beginning of digital entertainment and the undisputed master of the genre is Ryu Hayabusa of Ninja Gaiden fame.
The Ninja Gaiden series has a long history, dating back to the Nintendo Entertainment System, but was recently resurrected on Xbox (Ninja Gaiden) and Xbox 360 (Ninja Gaiden 2). Both of these titles were remixed and re-released on PlayStation 3 under the "Sigma" name. If that sounds confusing, all you need to know is that this title is the most recent Ninja Gaiden game and it features lots and lots of ninja violence.
Strangely though, this version contains far less blood than the original Ninja Gaiden 2. It no longer sprays from hacked limbs, and only appears on the ground in small spurts. It has even been wiped from the "Game Over" screen. It's an odd decision for a title that is still rated "Mature" and a disappointing omission if you've ever witnessed the original gore.
The story that takes place after this event is so convoluted and nonsensical that it's hardly worth describing. Its only purpose is to pit Ryu against never-ending waves of Ninjas and mystical monsters, called fiends, until he can save the girl, and ultimately the entire planet. In the role of Dragon Ninja players travel to various scenic locations (Tokyo, Venice, The Underworld) and partake in lots and lots of combat. And the combat is what makes Ninja Gaiden special.
Like any good Ninja, Ryu starts the game with a sword and an infinite supply of shuriken. Throughout the game he gains access to an impressive arsenal of weapons. You'll find yourself experimenting with staffs, hammers, tonfa (they're back!), claws, staffs, and scythes, which are doled out as the game progresses. The new weapons add a dash of variety to the gameplay every so often but none surpass the original Dragon Sword in terms of effectiveness.
Through a combination of jump, "strong" and "quick" attack buttons there are a huge number of deadly attack combinations that vary from weapon to weapon. In general the quick attacks dismember enemies, and the strong attacks finish them off. This means that a rhythm can be established that turns Ninja Gaiden's combat into a delicate ballet of severed limbs and clashing swords. And even if you master a single weapon, it takes hours to perfect advanced moves like blocking at the exact moment that allows Ryu to counter attack.
Learning to dodge, block, and counter is important because at the end of every encounter a certain amount of health regenerates. So if you can avoid being killed by the last enemy in a wave, you'll have a fighting chance in the next encounter. On top of this, Ryu has limited access to magical spells, or "ninpo", that cut, burn, or banishes multiple opponents. Magic is mostly used in a last ditch attempt to save yourself from the hordes.
And if all else fails there are semi-frequent statues that both save your game and replenish your health along with a blacksmith that offers weapon upgrades and healing items. The Blacksmith upgrade option has been bizarrely constrained to allow only one upgrade per shop, which means you'll spend a lot more money on health items and far less on weaponry. These safe points are never too far apart and ensure that when you die (and you will die) you'll only have to repeat a limited segment of the level. Death can still be infuriating, but it is manageable.
Speaking of death, before you even think of playing Ninja Gaiden, you should know that it is a difficult game. If you plan on advancing through the game by mashing buttons, you won't get very far. It is designed to be challenging, even punishing at some points, so even on the easiest difficulty level be prepared to die and retry frequently. But this isn't to say the experience is "cheap" or unfair. Instead, the difficulty is presented through the intelligence and ferocity of the enemies and that is what makes the game especially rewarding when mastered.
Unfortunately, in addition to the merciless enemies of Ninja Gaiden, players are forced to fight with the camera. The third-person view of Ryu can be adjusted with the right analog stick, and it generally presents players with a decent view of the combat. However, the camera will frequently get stuck on corners or swing to an angle that shows Ryu in all of his glory but completely obscures an incoming attack. The fast pace and difficulty of the game accentuate these camera problems to a level that incites foul language and throwing of controllers.
If you have prior experience of Ninja Gaiden 2 and already hate the camera, this game certainly won't change your opinion. But Tecmo was nice enough to add a bunch of new goodies to the PlayStation release of this game. First and foremost, the very lengthy adventure (easily over 13 hours) has been extended with three new missions starring the lovely Ayane, Momiji, and Rachel. These levels are extremely brief and the ladies only have access to one weapon but it is a satisfying break from playing as Ryu. This is especially true of Ayane, whose overwhelming speed and exploding daggers give her an edge that makes her level so much fun. I wish she was available for the entirety of the game.
More important than shaking female anatomy, Sigma's level design has been streamlined and adjusted from the original game. This means that there are a few additional bosses who are somewhat repetitive in nature and some previously frustrating elements and enemies have been removed. There's nothing here that outshines the original content, and some of the new bosses are not on par with their fiend friends. Also, if you've played the Xbox version you'll miss the delightful fountains of blood that previously covered every level.
Other extras include a Chapter Challenge that is available after the completion of the main storyline. It adds a score calculator to the screen and allows players to jump to various chapters and test their skills, which are judged on style of combat, not just pure survival. Your ninja prowess can then be proudly displayed online for all to see.
There is also Team Mission mode which allows two players to go online and play through 30 missions of varying difficulty. It's a fun diversion, and the addition of a multiplayer element is welcome. However, co-op play does highlight the fact that this was designed as a single player action game and combat isn't as finely tuned with multiple characters running around. We had some connection issues on our review build of the game, but this could all clear up when it hits stores. We'll keep you updated with any issues we spot.
Additions aside, the core of Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 is over a year old and the game is beginning to show its age. Some of the city-based levels have a barren appearance that makes them feel empty or unfinished. The later levels are progressively more detailed and visually appealing, but at this point in time it hardly holds a candle to some of the more impressive visuals of a game like Uncharted 2. There is also a noticeable amount of screen tearing that occurs throughout the game and is joined by tiny bits of slowdown towards the adventure's climax when enemies clutter the screen. The slowdown is such a miniscule issue that I wouldn't mention it, if not for the demanding nature of combat where every frame counts.
The first Ninja Gaiden Sigma was an excellent upgrade to one of the best action games ever created. Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 suffers from two problems, the first being that Ninja Gaiden 2 was a lesser game than the original. The second problem is that the additions just don't improve upon the original experience in any significant way. The playable women are pretty, but their missions are short. The multiplayer is a great idea, but ultimately not conducive to Ninja Gaiden's style of combat. And lastly, for a game that is based completely around brutal violence and life or death confrontation, removing the blood was a bad idea.
©2009-09-22, IGN Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved
The Ninja Gaiden series has a long history, dating back to the Nintendo Entertainment System, but was recently resurrected on Xbox (Ninja Gaiden) and Xbox 360 (Ninja Gaiden 2). Both of these titles were remixed and re-released on PlayStation 3 under the "Sigma" name. If that sounds confusing, all you need to know is that this title is the most recent Ninja Gaiden game and it features lots and lots of ninja violence.
Strangely though, this version contains far less blood than the original Ninja Gaiden 2. It no longer sprays from hacked limbs, and only appears on the ground in small spurts. It has even been wiped from the "Game Over" screen. It's an odd decision for a title that is still rated "Mature" and a disappointing omission if you've ever witnessed the original gore.
The story that takes place after this event is so convoluted and nonsensical that it's hardly worth describing. Its only purpose is to pit Ryu against never-ending waves of Ninjas and mystical monsters, called fiends, until he can save the girl, and ultimately the entire planet. In the role of Dragon Ninja players travel to various scenic locations (Tokyo, Venice, The Underworld) and partake in lots and lots of combat. And the combat is what makes Ninja Gaiden special.
Like any good Ninja, Ryu starts the game with a sword and an infinite supply of shuriken. Throughout the game he gains access to an impressive arsenal of weapons. You'll find yourself experimenting with staffs, hammers, tonfa (they're back!), claws, staffs, and scythes, which are doled out as the game progresses. The new weapons add a dash of variety to the gameplay every so often but none surpass the original Dragon Sword in terms of effectiveness.
Through a combination of jump, "strong" and "quick" attack buttons there are a huge number of deadly attack combinations that vary from weapon to weapon. In general the quick attacks dismember enemies, and the strong attacks finish them off. This means that a rhythm can be established that turns Ninja Gaiden's combat into a delicate ballet of severed limbs and clashing swords. And even if you master a single weapon, it takes hours to perfect advanced moves like blocking at the exact moment that allows Ryu to counter attack.
Learning to dodge, block, and counter is important because at the end of every encounter a certain amount of health regenerates. So if you can avoid being killed by the last enemy in a wave, you'll have a fighting chance in the next encounter. On top of this, Ryu has limited access to magical spells, or "ninpo", that cut, burn, or banishes multiple opponents. Magic is mostly used in a last ditch attempt to save yourself from the hordes.
And if all else fails there are semi-frequent statues that both save your game and replenish your health along with a blacksmith that offers weapon upgrades and healing items. The Blacksmith upgrade option has been bizarrely constrained to allow only one upgrade per shop, which means you'll spend a lot more money on health items and far less on weaponry. These safe points are never too far apart and ensure that when you die (and you will die) you'll only have to repeat a limited segment of the level. Death can still be infuriating, but it is manageable.
Speaking of death, before you even think of playing Ninja Gaiden, you should know that it is a difficult game. If you plan on advancing through the game by mashing buttons, you won't get very far. It is designed to be challenging, even punishing at some points, so even on the easiest difficulty level be prepared to die and retry frequently. But this isn't to say the experience is "cheap" or unfair. Instead, the difficulty is presented through the intelligence and ferocity of the enemies and that is what makes the game especially rewarding when mastered.
Unfortunately, in addition to the merciless enemies of Ninja Gaiden, players are forced to fight with the camera. The third-person view of Ryu can be adjusted with the right analog stick, and it generally presents players with a decent view of the combat. However, the camera will frequently get stuck on corners or swing to an angle that shows Ryu in all of his glory but completely obscures an incoming attack. The fast pace and difficulty of the game accentuate these camera problems to a level that incites foul language and throwing of controllers.
If you have prior experience of Ninja Gaiden 2 and already hate the camera, this game certainly won't change your opinion. But Tecmo was nice enough to add a bunch of new goodies to the PlayStation release of this game. First and foremost, the very lengthy adventure (easily over 13 hours) has been extended with three new missions starring the lovely Ayane, Momiji, and Rachel. These levels are extremely brief and the ladies only have access to one weapon but it is a satisfying break from playing as Ryu. This is especially true of Ayane, whose overwhelming speed and exploding daggers give her an edge that makes her level so much fun. I wish she was available for the entirety of the game.
More important than shaking female anatomy, Sigma's level design has been streamlined and adjusted from the original game. This means that there are a few additional bosses who are somewhat repetitive in nature and some previously frustrating elements and enemies have been removed. There's nothing here that outshines the original content, and some of the new bosses are not on par with their fiend friends. Also, if you've played the Xbox version you'll miss the delightful fountains of blood that previously covered every level.
Other extras include a Chapter Challenge that is available after the completion of the main storyline. It adds a score calculator to the screen and allows players to jump to various chapters and test their skills, which are judged on style of combat, not just pure survival. Your ninja prowess can then be proudly displayed online for all to see.
There is also Team Mission mode which allows two players to go online and play through 30 missions of varying difficulty. It's a fun diversion, and the addition of a multiplayer element is welcome. However, co-op play does highlight the fact that this was designed as a single player action game and combat isn't as finely tuned with multiple characters running around. We had some connection issues on our review build of the game, but this could all clear up when it hits stores. We'll keep you updated with any issues we spot.
Additions aside, the core of Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 is over a year old and the game is beginning to show its age. Some of the city-based levels have a barren appearance that makes them feel empty or unfinished. The later levels are progressively more detailed and visually appealing, but at this point in time it hardly holds a candle to some of the more impressive visuals of a game like Uncharted 2. There is also a noticeable amount of screen tearing that occurs throughout the game and is joined by tiny bits of slowdown towards the adventure's climax when enemies clutter the screen. The slowdown is such a miniscule issue that I wouldn't mention it, if not for the demanding nature of combat where every frame counts.
The first Ninja Gaiden Sigma was an excellent upgrade to one of the best action games ever created. Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 suffers from two problems, the first being that Ninja Gaiden 2 was a lesser game than the original. The second problem is that the additions just don't improve upon the original experience in any significant way. The playable women are pretty, but their missions are short. The multiplayer is a great idea, but ultimately not conducive to Ninja Gaiden's style of combat. And lastly, for a game that is based completely around brutal violence and life or death confrontation, removing the blood was a bad idea.
©2009-09-22, IGN Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved