| Ninja Gaiden Sigma | |
|---|---|
North American cover art |
|
| Developer(s) | Team Ninja |
| Publisher(s) | Tecmo |
| Designer(s) | Yosuke Hayashi |
| Series | Ninja Gaiden |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita |
| Release date(s) | |
| Genre(s) | Action-adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
| Rating(s) | |
| Media/distribution | Optical disc |
Ninja Gaiden Sigma, also known as Ninja Gaiden Σ, is an action-adventure game developed by Team Ninja for the PlayStation 3 video game console. Originally released on Xbox in 2004, it is an enhanced port of Ninja Gaiden and a continuation of a 1988 video game originally released for the Nintendo Entertainment System. An enhanced port of Ninja Gaiden II, under the title Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, was released in 2009.
Contents |
The gameplay for Sigma is very similar to the original version, albeit with some modifications made to the game. Like the original version, the player's movements and combat system are directed using the console gamepad, which comprises the left thumbstick, two attack buttons, and a block button. The game features a large selection of weapons for Ryu to wield, each with advantages and disadvantages that affect the way the player approaches combat. It also provides Ryu with magical spells in the form of ninpos,which allows him to inflict heavy damage on enemies while potentially avoiding damage himself. By shaking the Sixaxis controller, players are able to increase the power of their ninpos.[1][2]
In addition to the narrative Story Mode, Sigma included a gameplay variation called Mission Mode. Focused on action rather than character development, this provides combat-based missions set mainly in small areas. In both Story and Mission modes, game scoring is based on the player's speed in clearing encounters, the number of kills achieved, the number of unused ninpos remaining at the end, and the amount of cash collected. Players can compare their scores on online ranking boards.[3] In addition, players have the option to customize the appearance of player characters, with selectable costumes for Ryu and hairstyles for Rachel.[4]
In 2006, Tecmo and Sony announced the development of Ninja Gaiden Sigma for the PlayStation 3.[5][6] Eidos obtained the European publishing rights for this game.[7] Tomonobu Itagaki had no direct role in Sigma, and judged it a flawed game,[8] although he acknowledged that Sigma gave PlayStation owners a taste of Ninja Gaiden.[9]
The Cell processor of the PlayStation 3 gave Team Ninja the opportunity to overhaul the game graphics to use larger and more detailed textures. Changes were made to the game world, with a few new areas and several additional save points and shops,[10] and alterations to the game engine let players shoot arrows in mid-air, fight on water surfaces, and play as Rachel in some chapters and missions.[4][11] Team Ninja added more enemies such as bikers, fish-men, and a new boss, Gamov, and Ryu's weapon choices are extended with a pair of katanas called the Dragon's Claw and Tiger's Fang.[10][4]
In 2007, Tecmo released a demo and a new game mode, Survival Mode, for Sigma over the PlayStation Network.[12] The demo limits players to the first chapter of the game, but lets them play as Rachel in a separate mission.[13] Survival Mode comprises missions in which players keep fighting until they have either killed all their opponents, or their character has been defeated.[14]
| Reception | |
|---|---|
| Aggregate scores | |
| Aggregator | Score |
| GameRankings | 86.84%[15] |
| Metacritic | 88/100[16] |
| Review scores | |
| Publication | Score |
| 1UP.com | A[17] |
| Edge | 8/10[18] |
| Eurogamer | 7/10[19] |
| Famitsu | 33/40[20] |
| Game Informer | 9.0[21] |
| GamePro | 4.75[22] |
| GameSpot | 9.0/10[10] |
| GameSpy | 5/5[23] |
| GameTrailers | 9.1/10[24] |
| IGN | 9.3/10 (US)[25] 8.8/10 (AU)[26] |
| Play Magazine | 88%[27] |
| PSM3 | 80%[28] |
| Pro-G | 8/10[3] |
Like Ninja Gaiden and Ninja Gaiden Black, Ninja Gaiden Sigma has received positive reviews, currently holding an average score of 87% at GameRankings and 88 at Metacritic, based on 57 and 46 reviews respectively.[15][16]
Critics varied in their views on the technical aspects of Ninja Gaiden Sigma. Although the gaming site 1UP.com called the updated graphics "a gorgeous reworking of the modern ninja classic,"[17] Pro-G said that they were average by next-generation standards and showed occasional "tearing, jagged edges, and mismatched collision between bloodstains and walls".[3] Various flaws also troubled 1UP—despite installing the game on the local hard drive, they encountered frequent loading delays, even in combat. They also noted visual glitches, such as screen tearing when the camera moved. These problems made the game "feel like a bit of a slapdash port".[17] Although reviewers appreciated the retention of the gameplay of previous versions,[26][17] Sigma's lack of new attractive features caused them to question its worth as "a remake of a remake". Pro-G said that Sigma was not worth its full-game price tag because it "has, in effect, been available for years in one form or another".[3] Eurogamer stated that Sigma lacked the "wow factor" when compared to God of War and its sequel.[19] The 1UP critic felt that shaking the Sixaxis controller to power up a ninpo was "silly" and a "foolishly tacked-on" way to use the controller.[17] IGN was not excited about playing as Rachel and wished to "get back to Ryu's sections simply because he's more fun to play".[25] DailyGame, however, appreciated the change of pace, saying that Rachel will bring a "much-needed respite for newcomers and provide something new for experienced players".[30]
46,307 units were sold in the first week of its release in Japan, making it the third highest selling game during that period.[31] According to the NPD Group, in its first month Sigma sold 63,637 copies in the United States. [32] Next Generation reported that as of April 2008, 470,000 copies of Sigma have been sold in Europe and North America.[33] Tecmo announced that they have sold 500,000 units worldwide.[34]
|
||||||||||||||||||||