Ninja Gaiden Sigma
by Tecmo
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Category: Video Games
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Product Summary
Brand: TecmoRelease Date: 2007-07-03
Platform: PLAYSTATION 3
Model: TCM1050
Publisher: Tecmo
Product features:
- 18 chapters, 25 missions and a new playable character - Rachael
- 70 new characters, including bosses - all with enhanced AI
- All-new combos and special moves, like running & fighting on water
- Dual-wield katanas & other swords, while using new kinds of Ninja magic
- Innovative new fighting and motion system using the SIX-AXIS controller
- Ninja Gaiden Sigma: Prima Official Game Guide (Prima Official Game Guides) (Prima Official Game Guides) (Prima Official Game Guides)
- PlayStation: The Official Magazine (1-year)
- Electronic Gaming Monthly
- Play
Video Game Reviews of Ninja Gaiden Sigma
Customer Review: Unleash your inner ninja the hard way
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm not really a big fan of difficult games. There always seems to be a feeling like I'm not having fun and progressing in the game but rather having to somehow win out over cheap moves, overwhelming odds and sporadic use of save points. I can't just chalk it up to being a beginner player either since I've been playing since the days of Duck Hunt and having to blow on the cartridge to get it to run but even back then, Ninja Gaiden games, like Contra, were tough as hell and that tradition hasn't changed a single bit. With spruced up graphics, bit more additions and changes, the game's still fun as ever and just as hard as you remember, whether 20 years ago or 3.
Story: You play (mainly) as Ryu, a ninja in the Hayabusa clan. But when the village's sword is stolen, the maiden slain and you knocked out by the evil Doku, it's up to Ryu to get revenge and get the Dark Dragon Sword back. Occasionally you'll meet up with/play as Rachel, a well-endowed female with a big axe who's searching for her twin sister, Alma. The story at times is convoluted and a bit too familiar and I can just imagine the MIDI music playing during a text-cutscene whenever I read this story like in the old days but it works well enough though I wish there was more diverse environments.
Graphics: The game is basically a remake of a remake since the original Ninja Gaiden was released on the Xbox and then an enhanced version was released a year later (!) called Ninja Gaiden Black. This is basically the same but it's basically been "HD'd". The character and enemy animations are smoother and crisper and the fluidity is constant. Only problem is the backgrounds, except for the first few chapters which look awesome, are bland and there's the occasional screen tearing and "Now Loading" screens during exploration, combat and even opening up a chest despite the optional install. It feels like more time could've been used to make it seamless but having the game load just so you can open a chest just seems strange.
Sound/Music: The music's rather inconsistent at times since some works like the more ambient stuff such as a Phendrana Drifts-esque piece from Metroid Prime during an ice level but then occasionally it hits us with turgid rock or bass-and-drums music with some electronica flourishes and it's like "ugh". Also, the voice acting at times is rather flat and 1996-ish in its delivery since it's either melodramatic to the point of distracting or it's so wooden, it's like they just said their lines and be done with it.
Gameplay: The basic idea of the game is with your various weapons at your disposal, you hack and slash and block and dodge (key things you must use to survive) through the 19 chapters. The nice thing is that the combo system for once is intuitive and never did I feel like I couldn't get a handle out of fighting enemies. This is different than in God of War where enemies would break your combos or not spawn in time to keep your combo meter going and somehow seem to phase through your attacks to nail that cheap blow. Once you get the hang of how you play, going through the game is easy. Well, that's a lie since enemies are just as smart with the occasional cheapie and you'll die and die a lot and without checkpoints, it's very common to be sent back rather far. Some games you can get through by lucking out or timing things right, Sigma requires mastery really.
The fighting system is easy to understand despite the tough enemies but I'll be frank: the platforming sections suck and be prepared for lots of missed jumps, Ryu falling to the floor despite your knowing of what to do and the wild camera which you constantly wrestle with doesn't help matters. The segments where you use them look like fun and running from wall-to-wall is cool, it's just Ryu is so finicky in his movements that it makes what should be cool moments tedious.
The other inclusion is the ability to play as Rachel for the occasional mission and though she's not as fun as Ryu, she's at least functional and not some cheap character who can't do simple things right. Only thing is that there's not a lot of missions where you actually play as her but the option to see her large...chest area is welcome. But her axe is bulky and slow but powerful but still doesn't help when she's not Ryu-fast and timing and counterattacks are used instead.
While the difficulty is very oft-putting and the platforming sections are nightmares, the fighting and flying across the screen to lop heads off is oh-so-satisfying and makes for one of the funnest action titles on the Playstation 3...just watch your yelling and controller-throwing tendencies on this one.
Description of Ninja Gaiden Sigma
Ninja Gaiden Sigma puts realistic battle and acrobatic ninja moves at your fingertips. As Ryu Hayabusa, you are seek revenge after your clan is massacred by the Vigor Empire. All you have are your wits, sword and skills. Your weapons & combat skills are great, but only time will tell if they're enough to beat the Holy Emperor and reclaim the magic sword named "Ryuken". Upload your Karma scores on the Playstation network & compare leader boardsAll Games
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