Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Review for PlayStation 3 (PS3)

System: PS3	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Team Ninja	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Tecmo	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Sep. 29, 2009	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-2	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Mature	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

All in all, the Team Missions mode is great fun. It is the defining and truly distinguishing feature of this title. Not only does it provide a lot of replay value, it amplifies the challenge factor immensely. Unfortunately, I can't attest to the stability of the mode in terms of online play, as we were given review code for the debug unit. As such, we were unable to get online with other reviewers or developers. Nevertheless, we're sure that playing Sigma 2's Team Missions, both locally and online, will be the highlight of the game, especially for those who have already played through the story in Ninja Gaiden II.

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 screenshot

After beating the story on any difficulty setting, PS3 owners will be treated to some other unmentionable exclusives, but they'll also get their hands on the Chapter Challenge mode. Much like Team Missions, players will try and accrue as much Karma as possible in order to leave their legacy on the leaderboards. After the chapter is complete, you'll be given a ranking - from Ninja Dog to Ninja Master - that encapsulates your mastery of that portion of the story. If you want to up the ante even further, you'll have to go back through the game on the highest difficulty setting in order to unlock the next set of Chapter Challenges.

Gameplay and control in Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, unlike most other aspects of the title, are identical to what was found in Ninja Gaiden II. Sigma 2 is the same, tight action-ninja-brawler that makes you feel like a deadly weapon. Starting off as an accessible, forgiving button-masher, the game's difficulty and complexity steadily ramp up, forcing players to get comfortable with the combos and master new ninja techniques by finding scrolls and upgrading the weaponry. The biggest difference between the controls on either console's version is simply the hardware-specific controllers - for longtime DualShock users, you'll be happy with the comfortable, perfectly mapped actions and combos.

Visually, though attention was paid to make the game look even better than the previous version, it is imperceptibly so. All of the textures are equally shiny, and the character animations are every bit as smooth. What does stand out slightly is the solidity and stability of the framerate. Shifting the camera around the environments quickly reveals very limited seaming and screen-tearing, and other CheatCC staff mentioned that previously permeable walls seem to be impervious. These graphical changes may be limited but, needless to say, the game looks awesome. However, environments are still quite sterile. Aurally, the game is also identical. The voice acting and sound effects are still top-notch, and the funky bass line whilst in Muramasa's shop is solid gold.

Players expecting a wildly different experience from what was featured in Ninja Gaiden II will be disappointed. On the other hand, if you've been holding out to play this game on the PS3, you'll be happy to know that your patience has been rewarded. Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 has enough extra content and polish to make it the hands down, definitive version of the game.

By Jonathan Marx
CCC Editor / News Director

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.1

Graphics
The textures, animations, and character designs are fantastic. The frame rate seems to have improved slightly. Unfortunately, environments are still quite bland.

4.0

Control
The game starts out as a button-masher, but you'll quickly start pulling off more complex combos.

4.2

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
The voice over work is great, and the sound effects are perfectly brutal. I really enjoyed the bass-laden tune inside Muramasa's shop.

4.4

Play Value
While the gameplay during the story can begin to get tedious, the heightened difficulty and addition of cooperative Team Missions give this title more to love.

4.4

Overall Rating - Great
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

New Playable Characters: Ninja Gaiden's Rachel, Ayane from the Dead or Alive series and Momiji from Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword appear as sexy new playable characters.

Team Missions mode (Co-op): Two players can engage in online co-op play with voice chat in more than 30 different missions. View and record your play through "Ninja Cinema" and share your Cinema and Mission results via PlayStation Network.

Chapter Challenge mode: Master your favorite chapter and compete against others for the top Karma points.

Ninja Record: View your complete stats for every mode played, number of enemies defeated, drops and throws, combos, rescues, character usage rate and more.

Rewards: Over 50 trophies to earn throughout the game and a dozen unlockable costumes. Weapons acquired can be leveled up to strengthen their power and gain new battle techniques.

Visual Diversity: Over 30 unique characters, 17 stages with a variety of environments, and a storyline which unfolds in 70 impressive cut-scenes.

Variable AI: Contributing to the increased difficulty level, the gameplay differs each time you appear in a level as enemies engage in a variety of different actions as they assess the current situation

Gameplay Innovation: A finishing blow system can be used in battle to quickly defeat an enemy in one dynamic action.

Enhanced Graphics and Sound: Full HD 1080p output and 5.1ch surround sound allows you to experience the game in total high definition.