Ask any Xbox
gamer and they’ll tell you that the aside from the gaming masterpiece that is
Halo, it is Ninja Gaiden that lit up their big black box a long while
back. Sure, Team Ninja and Tecmo made their mark on Microsoft’s console with the
likes of the Dead or Alive games, but Ninja Gaiden was such a rare
gem that, not long after its release, an update called Ninja Gaiden Black
hit store shelves as well. Now, with the next-generation transitioning to
current generation, Ninja Gaiden Sigma finds itself on the PlayStation 3
to make this the best version of this action-packed classic.
Sigma,
I must add, isn’t a sequel to the original Ninja Gaiden or its update
Black, but rather another it’s another version with new bells and whistles
designed specifically for the PS3. Taking all the elements from both versions of
the game, Sigma’s story still centers on a ninja named Ryu Hayabusa – a ninja
who happens to be the descendent of the Dragon Lineage protected by his family’s
clan. It is on a fateful day that he comes home to his village being burned to
the ground and an evil presence that has come to take the Dark Dragon Blade. Ryu
confronts the evil dark master that controls monsters and is cut down easily. Surviving the attack, Ryu swears
revenge and sets out to recover the blade. It’s en epic setup but the story
never really gets any deeper … then again it’s not the story that will hook you
but rather Ryu’s journey.
As a master
ninja, Ryu has a number of cool acrobatic moves and his mastery of his Dragon
Sword will allow him to rip through a number of enemies that range from other
evil ninja clan members to otherworldly fiends and even modern technology. He
still performs all the neat little tricks from the original Xbox version such as
flying bird flips to wall running while performing interesting tasks like
running on water (much like in movies like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
or House of Flying Daggers). The new stuff, though, is what steals the
show. Aside from his own armaments, the biggest addition to the weapon list has
to be the twin Dragon’s Claw and Tiger’s Fang swords he can dual-wield for
faster slicing-and-dicing.
The good news is
that the controls feel better than the Xbox version, so pulling off the cool
acrobatic moves is easy and ultra smooth. Using the bow and arrow in
first-person view works beautifully here somehow. Really, my only complaint is
the camera that sometimes can obscure your view but not to the point that you’ll
get killed over it. My other complaint is another new addition to the game, this
one made to take advantage of the SIXAXIS controller. You see, the Ninpo attack
has always been used to dish out some major damage to enemies at the cost of
some Ki (you gain Ki by defeating enemies) but in the original it’s usually
activated with a push of the button. Here you’re asked to shake the SIXAXIS
controller to increase Ninpo and it just ends up feeling unnecessary.
Still, the two
weak spots are hardly anything to complain about seeing as another major
addition happens to be controlling another character. Remember Rachel, the busty
Vigoorian Fiend Hunter whose role in the original was as an interesting
character that would pop up now and then? She is now a playable character with
her own diverse levels. Her chapters really add to the story rather than
distract from the plot and the good news is that she plays just as good as Ryu.
Her skills aren’t dependant on swords or ninja tricks but rather brute force
(Rachel wields a cool hammer) as well as a magical attack spell. Sure, her
chapters start simple enough but the challenges start getting harder and she
gets to face off against enemy bosses. In the end, you’ll feel that Rachel’s
levels add a nice feminine touch that sets itself apart from Ryu’s tough
campaign.
Speaking of
tough, the game is still hard but not as much as the original or even Black
(a game that very lightly adjusted the difficulty setting). This is not to say
that the game is a breeze or that you’ll zip right through it but it doesn’t
feel as monstrously grueling as the original. You’ll still find plenty of
challenges and, for those not use to the hardcore challenge, you’ll find moments
in the game where you will want to start tearing your hair out of their roots or
fling the controller. I’m not the type of girl that likes to brag but I finished
the game on the normal setting, a feat I wasn’t able to do so easily with the
original.
Visually, the
game is just utterly gorgeous on the PlayStation 3. The original was nothing to
sneeze at and it still remains to be one of the most visually impressive Xbox
games you can find on the old console. In this version, though, everything from
the characters to the backgrounds is just filled with detail. Ryu and Rachel
just look more realistic and the self-shadowing just looks natural. It’s also
great to see the game move at a steady 60 frames-per-second, making the
animation so fluid that anyone who happens to be passing by won’t help but stop
and stare. Really, this is one of the PS3’s best-looking games.
The game’s sound
is also great since the PS3 is able to display some truly spectacular Dolby
Digital sound. If you have a good sound system hooked up then I suggest you play
this one with the volume up. If you don’t have the whole HD deal set up, no
worries, the game’s sound is detailed enough. The score is pure hardcore action
and feel like a big-budget action movie. There’s also a good voice acting cast
here that does justice to the characters.
Ninja Gaiden
Sigma delivers
a PlayStation 3 game worthy of any action fan’s growing PS3 library and if you
missed it the first time then welcome to one seriously hardcore action game.
Sigma might feel the same as the original in certain aspects but the
improvements just make this a deeper and far more enjoyable version of what was
once an Xbox classic. Really, do yourself a favor and pick this one up right
away.
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Gameplay: 9.5
Much of the
core gameplay mechanics and level design from the Xbox original and its Black
edition are present but the PS3 version additions just add more ninja goodness
to the mix. Toss in some cool moves, the ability to play as Rachel the Fiend
Hunter as well as dual-wield swords and you have a recipe for an amazing
action game. The controller-shaking Ninpo attack just doesn’t do it for me.
Graphics: 9.0
Ninja
Gaiden Sigma
is, by far, one of the most gorgeous-looking PS3 games to hit the console so
far. The slick visuals just don’t apply to the cutscenes but also the in-game
action. The character models are wonderfully detailed and cast real-time shadows
this time and the animation is fluid.
Sound: 9.0
The game still
contains the original’s soundtrack and it’s not bad since the score gives the
game its Hollywood-styled action flick feel. There’s some solid voice acting in
this game and the sound effects are detailed enough even without using a good
sound system. I recommend playing this one with the volume up.
Difficulty:
Medium/Hard
Somehow the
game is not as aggravatingly hard as the original but, make no mistake, this is
still one of the most challenging action games you will experience. You’ll still
encounter boss fights that will make your thumbs bleed. There’s an easy setting
but Ayane (who is one of the ladies of the DOA games) will constantly
remind you how wimpy you are.
Concept: 9.0
Not only does
the game sport a new glossier visual presentation but the new features just
complement the game in every way. Rachel’s levels are a great distraction and
unlocking Mission Mode adds more bang for your buck. There are secrets aplenty
(one of which is a great retro treat) and a great challenge for those who don’t
mind it.
Overall: 9.5
What was an
instant classic on the original Xbox is now a brilliant retooled classic on the
PlayStation 3 that should not be missed if you’re an owner of Sony’s new
console. Ninja Gaiden Sigma isn’t an entirely new game but thanks to the
new gameplay additions it becomes the best version ever. If you’re a PlayStation
gamer who missed out on the Xbox version, boy, are you in for a pleasant
surprise.
