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Remakes are always tough to review. In order for them to be truly good, they have to get out of the shadow of the original game. They need to have something that really distinguishes it from the original. For Ninja Gaiden Sigma, that distinction lies solely in the game’s visuals.
This game moves and looks like a video game work of art. From the rain of dead leaves in a forest to fire engulfed houses, Ninja Gaiden Sigma does not disappoint when it comes to creating exquisite environments. On top of that, Ryu, the game’s protaganist, and his enemies moves fluidly through these environments unlike anything else making the already visceral combat in Ninja Gaiden even more so. Together, Ryu and the world he kicks ass in makes for a visual treat that’s hard to forget. If only there was more to this remake than just prettier graphics.
Visual upgrade aside, Sigma only has one major differences from the original, and that’s the ability to play as Rachel, a hunter Ryu meets regularly throughout the game. Unlike Ryu, Rachel relies on the brute power of her axe to take down her foes. Whereas Ryu can literally run circles around his enemies, Rachel must approach her enemies more directly. All this is barely worth mentioning seeing how there are only 3 playable levels as her. None of which even takes place on new environments. They’re all just retreads of environments that Ryu have, or will eventually, visited making this new addition to Sigma feel almost negligible.
This isn’t to say that the addition of Rachel’s levels are the only difference between Sigma and the original Ninja Gaiden. Some of the puzzles have been simplified. Some levels that didn’t have a boss fight before has one now. Ryu gets a couple of new weapons like a dual katana, but all in all, these changes all feel very minor as well. Only the graphical update seems to differentiate this one from the original.
With all this talk of what doesn’t work, the thing that still makes Ninja Gaiden Sigma enjoyable is the same as before. The combat. Sigma, just like the original, took all the adrenaline rush one would get during boss fights and infused it into every fight Ryu encounters. The combat, albeit very difficult, is supremely rewarding once all the nuances of the mechanics are learned and exploited. Even the lowliest thug in Sigma can, and will, kill you if you don’t take it seriously. Ninja Gaiden may be the only game out there that puts you on a high and keeps you there as well.
Recommending this game to those who have played the original feels somewhat dishonest. Recommending it to someone who have never played the original, however, feels like an obligation. The good word of Ninja Gaiden Sigma must spread out to the uninitiated.
Graphics: If eyes have ass, it would be very sore by all the kicking this game will do to it.
Story: Since ninjas must have a reason to slice and dice monsters, this game has one.
Gameplay: Nowhere else will your gaming skills and reflexes be tested to its limits.
Music and Sound FX: The music is fairly tepid and uninspiring. Not that it matters all that much.
Game Over: If you’ve never played the original, this game is almost worth the price of admission.
4 out of 5
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