Having already screamed repeatedly into my pillow during a Ninja Gaiden II playthrough on the Xbox 360, I had originally intended to only test out the new Team Battle mode exclusive to the PlayStation 3 port and call it a day. Unfortunately, Team Ninja saw through my plans and made it so you have to practically beat the game to unlock anything (or anyone) useful for the new mode. So that’s what I did, and in the process something strange and unexpected happened… I had fun.
WHAT YOU’LL LIKE:
Still Awesome
Team Ninja loves two things: Kick-ass action and ridiculously oversized breasts. Sigma 2 is notorious for the former with a sprinkle of the latter and it all makes for a very thrilling ultimate ninja experience. Rya Hyabusa is armed with a robust arsenal of unique weapons (starting with the Dragon Sword and ranging from everything to Lunar Staff, Eclipse Scythe, Tonfas, and fancy new Enma Fang), each with a devastating array of attacks, combos, and obliteration techniques. If none of that makes sense, then basically Ryu is a complete ninja badass and you feel like a badass playing him. This is even moreso considering Ryu faces some of the most challenging, ferocious enemies in video game history. On the higher difficulty levels a single random ninja can end Ryu’s life, let alone the game’s countless mini-bosses and mega bosses. Sigma 2 is a bit easier than the Xbox 360 version and considerably easier than the original Ninja Gaiden, but it is still one of the more difficult games around and conquering it is all that much more satisfying because of it.
Team Battle
Every game seems to be adding some half-baked multiplayer or co-op mode these days, but I couldn’t resist to partner my favorite Dead or Alive character, Ayane, with Demon Hunter Rachel for some ninja ass-kicking. And, as it turns out, it’s just as fun as I’d hoped. Team Battle has four tiers of challenges for 1-2 players (when playing alone, the basically useless AI will take control of your comrade, but expect to revive them…a lot), complete with leaderboards and replays which can be saved to your hard drive and shared with the world. Long after you’ve either mastered (not likely) or given up (likely) on the single-player, Team Battle offers continuous challenge and replay value, and being able to do enjoy Ninja Gaiden’s signature gameplay with a friend definitely gives this version a leg up on the 360.
New and (Mostly) Improved
Sigma 2 makes a lot of changes to the Xbox 360 original, for better or worse. Projectiles, for instance, now have unlimited ammo, but explosive shurikens and the ability to charge ranged attacks have been removed. A cannon weapon has been added though, and it’s far more useful in taking down winged enemies and certain troublesome bosses from afar. New bosses have been added (like a giant Buddha statue in the first level and the freaking Statue of Liberty!), but these are not so much additions as they are blatant attempts to duplicate God of War. Other bosses and enemies like the giant, exploding armadillos have been reduced or thankfully omitted altogether. Still, not all changes are for the best…
WHAT YOU WON’T LIKE:
A Bloody Difference
Ninja Gaiden 2 wore its oceans of blood and gore proudly on its sleeve, but in Sigma 2 it has all been reduced to a mere nosebleed in comparison. It’s like Team Ninja wanted to make a really awesome ninja game…for ABC Family. And, having played both versions, I can attest to the fact that buckets of blood really do make a difference. Sigma 2 feels much more tame and I miss the explosions of crimson more than I thought I would. Why not at least provide an option to turn it on and off?
That Damn Camera
I’m all for a game that is challenging, as long as it provides you the necessary tools to overcome those challenges. Unfortunately, as notorious as Ninja Gaiden is for its difficulty, it does a lot of unfair things to make your life your impending death. The camera angles are particularly frustrating and archaic, especially when the game shoves Ryu into cramped quarters with tons of enemies attacking from all directions. On the harder difficulty settings I can imagine the disc taking a one-way trip out a window after the millionth cheap death because you couldn’t see all the overpowered ninja dogs that shoot explosive arrows from their mouth.
RECOMMENDATION:
Like Bayonetta or Devil May Cry 4, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 is an above-average action game with an assortment of flaws preventing it from perfection. It’s still definitely worth a play, and the new online-enabled multiplayer Team Attack mode increases replay value considerably for anyone looking for an enjoyable, non-shooter experience.
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:12 am
Honestly, this release of NG wasn’t even on my radar but now that I know there is a co-op mode I need to pick it up!
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:34 am
Worth getting if you already have the 360 version?
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:17 pm
I beg to differ. I don’t really enjoy seeing buckets of blood splashing my screen so this update version sounds actually a lot cooler to me from the visual viewpoint.
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:48 pm
@Fred, it really depends on how much you liked it. If you love Ninja Gaiden, then the ability to play Team Attack with a friend and use the four different characters definitely makes a purchase worth your while.
February 3rd, 2010 at 6:32 pm
Dude, they have to be EXTRA good ninjas to be able to move swiftly and quietly with those double D’s in their way.
February 6th, 2010 at 1:36 am
Wow, glad you liked this version of the game more than I did. Personally, I felt it left very much to be desired.