Official Website

Platform: PlayStation 3

Genre: Action

Number of Players: 1

Support: HD 480p, 720p, 1080p, 1080i

The year was 1988, and Tecmo released a game that would quickly become yet another iconic classic in the industry. Ninja Gaiden, which was known in Japan as Ninja Ryukenden, hit arcades and then the Nintendo Entertainment System, and the legend was born. Now, after nearly two decades, Ryu is back once again and this time gracing Sony’s PlayStation 3.

Ninja Gaiden Sigma, or Ninja Gaiden Σ, is a remake of Ninja Gaiden Black from the Xbox. Don’t just assume that this nothing more than a port. Many of the games that Tecmo has released on multiple platforms, they have taken the time to add in a little more, and that’s exactly what has been done here. If you’re familiar with Ninja Gaiden, especially the original games, at first Ninja Gaiden Σ doesn’t seem like the same game at all. Initialyl you will start out with Ryu infiltrating the Shadow Clan fortress and things seem very much like a ninja game set in Japan’s earlier history. This is merely the beginning however. Ryu soon finds out that his village of Hayabusa has been attacked and rushes to aid the residents. He is far too late however. The village is in flames, samurai stalk the streets killing all who oppose them, and it is there that Ryu confronts the evil Doku, a foe he is not powerful enough to face. Ryu is beaten down, his Dark Dragon Blade stolen and thirsty for vengeance; he leaves in search of Doku as well as revenge.

It doesn’t take long for Ryu, who begins in the game looking like the classic version seen in the original Ninja Gaiden trilogy, to transform into a leather clad, blood thirsty ninja, and like many games, this is a title that has evolved and changed with the times in all the right ways. There are quite a few new generation gamers who probably are not familiar with how the game originally played, but the NES days of the game found Ninja Gaiden playing like many of the “beat ‘em up” games that were all the rage; a side-scrolling platform game that was fun, but really lacked in a number of ways. Those days however are long gone.

Ninja Gaiden Σ is now full 3D, allowing you to rotate the camera as you see fit, but the game is also intelligent enough to usually reposition itself so that you can clearly see what you’re up against. Ryu will find himself up against some of the most deadly ninja to ever grace video games, from your standard, run of the mill stealth warrior to ninja decked out in high tech armor and heavy weaponry. Combating these foes will be done via a combo system which is very easy to learn. You have a regular and hard attack that can be used in a variety of ways and throughout the game; you’ll find or purchase scrolls detailing new combos. You also have projectile weapons that can be used. But it’s more than just button pressing, but directional movements that will help you quickly cut down those who stand in your way, giving Ninja Gaiden Σ something of a fighting game feeling.

As a ninja, your skills are quite varied. For general combat, you have access to melee weaponry such as swords, nunchaku, and bo staves, all of which work on the above mentioned combo system. In various locations you will also find blacksmiths who will upgrade your weaponry and take those golden scarabs that you’ve located, and essential part of Ninja Gaiden Σ which will grant you items and even more weapons once you’ve collected enough. The blacksmiths also are an important location to buy potions to help you recover. Ryu also has projectile weapons (used by press the circle button) and all manner to ninja weaponry is found here; shuriken, smoke bombs and even bows and arrows can be equipped to make your quest for revenge a little easier. There is also your magic, or ninpo, and much like your weapons, it will need to be equipped. However, while you can simply choose to unleash your spells, you can also shake the controller to increase the capabilities, one of the assets of the PlayStation 3’s SIXAXIS controller.

There are some other things that make Ninja Gaiden Σ enjoyable to play, and it all relates to those special ninja skills that Ryu has. Running at a wall and jumping towards it for example will find you running along the edge. Walls that are close together meanwhile will find Ryu using his wall leaping abilities to gain access to higher locations. Even blocking attacks becomes enjoyable as you can not only hold your own, but dodge and try and gain a better advantage against your opponent. If it all seems like it’s too much for a fledgling ninja to handle, you are given advise and tutorials as new abilities and skills become available, and if you just can’t handle life with a ninja clan, Ayane, Ryu’s “trainer” will provide you will things to assist you, bring you back to life, or even accessories to help (these can also be purchased from blacksmiths.)

If you already own Ninja Gaiden Black on the Xbox and are wondering what might tempt you to buy the game once again on the PlayStation 3, there are quite a few differences. The first of course is the removable of the fixed camera, and again, Ninja Gaiden Σ is fully 3D, giving you the advantage to see everything in your current location. There are new weapons, Ryu can now shot arrows in mid-air, and you can use your resonation items by simply rotating through them using the d-pad instead of accessing the menu. Aside from the cosmetic differences, Ninja Gaiden Σ also adds in a new playable character, more enemies than ever before, and even new bosses. So, even if you think you know Ninja Gaiden Black inside and out, Ninja Gaiden Σ isn’t quite the same game as you might remember.

You will also find that Ninja Gaiden Σ allows you to keep track of your ranking against other players. Defeating enemies will gain you karma, gold which is used to purchase items and blue that replenishes your health. The stats aren’t just players here in the United States, but players around the world. Tecmo has also provided the opportunity to play the game with the Japanese audio track, something that is showing more and more what Blu-Ray is a huge advantage, and the ability to install the game on the hard drive to cut down on load time.

Ninja Gaiden Σ is also a high definition version of Ninja Gaiden Black, but that’s not necessarily the key selling point. The visuals in the game are outstanding, and seeing Ryu unleash deadly combos with superb animation is just the beginning. Some of the more subtle things, such as watching him flip backwards to hang over a ledge, and those small details that makes the game fun to play. The stages are fairly well detailed, though there could be a bit of improvement, but overall the presentation is outstanding, and this shows as soon as the game begins as you watch autumn leaves blowing through the stage, and it just continues to get better from there.

There have been some decent action titles released on the PlayStation 3, but Ninja Gaiden Σ is at the top of its game in more ways than one. Not only will you find that Tecmo has gone above and beyond what is required and improved the game beyond what was found in Ninja Gaiden Black, but a game that isn’t quite as easy as just pounding on buttons and hoping that you land a hit or two. Ninja Gaiden Σ is definitely a game that has a rather intense degree of difficulty behind it, sometimes making it frustrating, but nonetheless making it worthwhile to play and a title that won’t be finished in just a few short hours. Tecmo promised that Ninja Gaiden Σ would show gamers the power of the PlayStation 3, and it certainly has.

-mike-