Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus Review for PS Vita

System: PS Vita
Dev: Team Ninja
Pub: Tecmo Koei
Release: February 22, 2012
Players: 1
Screen Resolution: 544p	Blood and Gore, Suggestive Themes, Violence

Other than that, this game is very much just a port of Ninja Gaiden Sigma. It has the game's layout, graphics, and its more frequent load times (though they're blessedly brief). There's also Trial mode, which is a dubious inclusion given the game's less-than-satisfactory controls, and the Rachel sections, which are just as annoying as I remember (more so, now that she feels like she's moving through molasses).

Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus Screenshot

I think the most offensive thing about Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus is that it just feels rushed. Its low frame rate, frequent (though quick) load times, and its lack of a malleable interface, plus oversights such as an inability to return to the main menu from in-game (the main menu being the only place one can invert aiming or switch from touch to button-based shooting) all indicate a port that was pushed out the door to coincide with the Vita's launch and spur excitement for next month's Ninja Gaiden 3. If anything, though, this only makes me apprehensive for the upcoming title, worried that Team Ninja is weaker sans Itagaki.

Maybe someday down the road there will be a patch that fixes every complaint I have with this game (or at least most of them—now that they're in there, I doubt the Rachel missions are ever going away), but that's a slim hope at best. Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus is a game that tries to reel in nostalgic fans while accommodating new players, succeeding at neither.

By
Shelby Reiches
Contributing Writer

@Shelby_Arr
Date: February 23, 2012

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

3.5

Graphics
Still gorgeous, but sluggish. It looks great in stills, but flounders in motion.

2.2

Control
Between the over-zealous touch mechanics and sluggish base controls, the game is frustrating to rein in.

3.7

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Sounds faithful, for the most part, though the lack of Japanese voices is disappointing.

1.6

Play Value
You've probably played this game before. If you haven't, you probably don't want to, and this isn't the best version to start on. It doesn't add enough for old fans or do enough to reel in new players.

2.2

Overall Rating - Poor
Not an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend
0.1 - 1.9 = Avoid	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	3.5 - 3.9 = Good	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair	4.0 - 4.4 = Great	5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

A new way to play one of the highest-rated action games ever.

Test your combat skills with 76 Ninja Trials.

Tons of weapons, items, and costumes for the ultimate ninja experience.