Ninja Gaiden Sigma: First Impressions

[Tempest]

I finally got around to playing Ninja Gaiden Sigma today. I had picked it up the day it was released, but well... Oblivion sort of got in the way...

 

The game is beautiful to look at, although they still can't get the look of falling leaves quite right. I noticed this in the Genji demo as well. It's like they fall too fast instead of slowly drifting around... Anyway, I digress... I finished the first mission tonight, and something struck me, THIS GAME IS FREAKING HARD! I never died or anything, but I did come close on the boss (I had to use a health item). Am I finally just getting old, or is this game really that tough? The combat seems somewhat random really, you end up blocking alot and hoping that when you finally make your move that another ninja hasn't snuck up behind you and put his blade up your ass. I know that there are all these wonderful combos you're supposed to use, but I'll be damned if I can remember more than three or four of them. If the first level is any indication of how the rest of the game is going to go, I may be in trouble. The camera isn't bad, but it makes a game like this ever so much tougher...

 

I ended up getting about 200,000 Karma points at the end of the level. I'm not sure what the heck they're for (probably some online ranking), but it said Master Ninja or something like that afterwards.

 

On a side note, WTF is up with Ryu's voice? It sounds like he's reading directly off a script he's seeing for the first time. I thought we got rid of that kind of crap in the TG-16/Sega CD days... Ugh!

 

Tempest

[moycon]

THIS GAME IS FREAKING HARD! I never died or anything, but I did come close on the boss (I had to use a health item). Am I finally just getting old, or is this game really that tough?

 

I've heard from several sources that the game is very hard. I passed on it for that reason, I'm all for a good challenge, but I try to avoid frustratingly hard games which I heard this game was.

[+remowilliams]

Am I finally just getting old, or is this game really that tough?

 

..If the first level is any indication of how the rest of the game is going to go, I may be in trouble.

Yeah, I only played through most of the first level and the game seems quite hard. And I'm a grizzled video game veteran.

 

If it does ramp up a lot, I won't be finishing it I can tell you that. The initial difficulty and somewhat random attack/defense effectiveness and jump placement vibe put me off enough as it was.

[Tempest]

I finally completed Mission 2 tonight. Those Warlocks are a pain in the ass! I was having major trouble until I figured out that you can just jump and hard attack them and kill them in one shot! Then I mastered the spirit absorption technique and was able to lay into the boss. The game is still freaking hard! I hope the difficulty doesn't ramp up too much more.

 

Tempest

[cimerians]

I finally completed Mission 2 tonight. Those Warlocks are a pain in the ass! I was having major trouble until I figured out that you can just jump and hard attack them and kill them in one shot! Then I mastered the spirit absorption technique and was able to lay into the boss. The game is still freaking hard! I hope the difficulty doesn't ramp up too much more.

 

Tempest

 

Cool...make sure you upgrade your dragonblade. And do flying swallows as that can kill most enemies when upgraded. Are you on the airship yet?

[Tempest]

I finally completed Mission 2 tonight. Those Warlocks are a pain in the ass! I was having major trouble until I figured out that you can just jump and hard attack them and kill them in one shot! Then I mastered the spirit absorption technique and was able to lay into the boss. The game is still freaking hard! I hope the difficulty doesn't ramp up too much more.

 

Tempest

 

Cool...make sure you upgrade your dragonblade. And do flying swallows as that can kill most enemies when upgraded. Are you on the airship yet?

 

No I got to the save point right after the second boss and quit for the night. Does the game get much harder? I hear there's an easier difficulty if you die three times (Ninja dog or something like that). Can you get the real ending if you play in this mode? It might relieve some of my frustration...

 

Tempest

[cimerians]

I finally completed Mission 2 tonight. Those Warlocks are a pain in the ass! I was having major trouble until I figured out that you can just jump and hard attack them and kill them in one shot! Then I mastered the spirit absorption technique and was able to lay into the boss. The game is still freaking hard! I hope the difficulty doesn't ramp up too much more.

 

Tempest

 

Cool...make sure you upgrade your dragonblade. And do flying swallows as that can kill most enemies when upgraded. Are you on the airship yet?

 

No I got to the save point right after the second boss and quit for the night. Does the game get much harder? I hear there's an easier difficulty if you die three times (Ninja dog or something like that). Can you get the real ending if you play in this mode? It might relieve some of my frustration...

 

Tempest

 

Yes! I learned the game by doing Ninja dog mode (easy mode). Just die three times and it will ask you. If you say no it wont ask again so make sure you say yes. Ryu will then wear cute wimpy ribbons on his arm to help him out, given to him by Ayame.

 

Yes it does get harder but by the time you get to the hard parts you should be pretty good at the game. But still I do recommend doing Dog mode as it will let you learn the game and you will enjoy it for what it is.

 

The endings are the same for dog mode and normal mode.

 

On hard mode new enemies appear.

I've never finished hard mode. There are really good players out there who do beat the game even beyond hard mode. I just like that they added new and in some cases variant versions of existing enemies in harder modes. (the unlockable content is cool too....costumes and the challenges..)

[Tempest]

How much easier is Ninja Dog mode? The only difference is that you look slightly different? If the ending is the same I might just do it. I like the game and all, but at the moment it's REALLY starting to frustrate me. We'll see how I do tomorrow...

 

Tempest

[moycon]

How much easier is Ninja Dog mode? The only difference is that you look slightly different? If the ending is the same I might just do it. I like the game and all, but at the moment it's REALLY starting to frustrate me. We'll see how I do tomorrow...

 

Tempest

 

From what I remember it's the same, only slightly easier and gives you one free pass if you die.

[cimerians]

How much easier is Ninja Dog mode? The only difference is that you look slightly different? If the ending is the same I might just do it. I like the game and all, but at the moment it's REALLY starting to frustrate me. We'll see how I do tomorrow...

 

Tempest

 

Its much easier. Just try it and you'll see. Lucky you havent played the Xbox version as the PS3 version is toned down a little....believe it or not.

The ribbins give you extra attack power, defensive power etc depending on the color of the ribbon you wear. (She'll give them to you) You can only wear one at a time.

 

- The enemies are less aggressive and do not defend as well so they are easier to hit.

- You also get more ninpo slots and find more healing potions.

- Bosses seem to be the same. hehe

 

The game is meant to kick your ass. Thats the purpose of it. The beauty team ninja is so proud of if you will (If you've read interviews with those crazy guys)

 

Its well worth the play through, you'll be a better gamer (at least with action games). No joke. Any other game (God of War included) will be wimpy for you.

[Tempest]

Well I dumbed it down to Ninja Dog mode. Although I probably could have gotten by on Normal, I was tired of having to replay the same area over and over until I got through without losing half of my life (Level 4 was when I threw in the towel). The game is much easier now, but infinitely more fun. I just don't have time to play a game for hours on end to master it anymore.

 

Tempest

[liveinabin]

It looks really good, with the single exception of that lead female character. Good lord, that's taking gaming back 10 years! I thought we'd got past that. Like I say, otherwise, very impressive.

[Tempest]

It looks really good, with the single exception of that lead female character. Good lord, that's taking gaming back 10 years! I thought we'd got past that. Like I say, otherwise, very impressive.

You only play her for three or four short missions. It's almost a side quest.

 

Tempest

[cimerians]

It looks really good, with the single exception of that lead female character. Good lord, that's taking gaming back 10 years! I thought we'd got past that. Like I say, otherwise, very impressive.

You only play her for three or four short missions. It's almost a side quest.

 

Tempest

 

She's mainly in there cause people wanted to play her. (Fans of the Xbox versions.)

Tecmo complied and there she is. I'm not complaining.

[agradeneu]

It looks really good, with the single exception of that lead female character. Good lord, that's taking gaming back 10 years! I thought we'd got past that. Like I say, otherwise, very impressive.

You only play her for three or four short missions. It's almost a side quest.

 

Tempest

 

She's mainly in there cause people wanted to play her. (Fans of the Xbox versions.)

Tecmo complied and there she is. I'm not complaining.

 

 

I've rent it. Could not get past the cheesy character design. "Mighty Morphing Power Rangers"

Then I played God of War 2 on my PS3 and was blown away by the art direction, set pieces and the technical prowess.

Edited August 28, 2007 by agradeneu

[Tempest]

Is there any reason that they made Rachel so over endowed? You'd think with boobs that big that she would fall over after doing all those spin moves. Hell, right after she gets knocked out at the end of chapter 10 you can actually see he boobs jiggle for like 5 seconds after she stops moving. I like breasts as much as the next man, but this is almost silly...

 

Tempest

[cimerians]

Is there any reason that they made Rachel so over endowed? You'd think with boobs that big that she would fall over after doing all those spin moves. Hell, right after she gets knocked out at the end of chapter 10 you can actually see he boobs jiggle for like 5 seconds after she stops moving. I like breasts as much as the next man, but this is almost silly...

 

Tempest

 

 

Gimme a break man

[Tempest]

Is there any reason that they made Rachel so over endowed? You'd think with boobs that big that she would fall over after doing all those spin moves. Hell, right after she gets knocked out at the end of chapter 10 you can actually see he boobs jiggle for like 5 seconds after she stops moving. I like breasts as much as the next man, but this is almost silly...

 

Tempest

 

 

Gimme a break man

 

Hey I play games to have fun, not watch boobies jiggle. Ok, I play games to have fun AND watch boobies jiggle, but that's beside the point. The whole Rachel missions feel really tacked on, and that's probably because they WERE just tacked on. Still, I'm having fun with the game except for a few really annoying missions (the whole underwater moat mission was a pain in the ass). The game is pretty fun, I just hope the sequel makes it to the PS3 (I think it's 360 only at the moment).

 

Tempest

[Lastblade]

I love this game, as I only played through the demo (I do have the NGBlack for the original Xbox).

[cimerians]

Is there any reason that they made Rachel so over endowed? You'd think with boobs that big that she would fall over after doing all those spin moves. Hell, right after she gets knocked out at the end of chapter 10 you can actually see he boobs jiggle for like 5 seconds after she stops moving. I like breasts as much as the next man, but this is almost silly...

 

Tempest

 

 

Gimme a break man

 

Hey I play games to have fun, not watch boobies jiggle. Ok, I play games to have fun AND watch boobies jiggle, but that's beside the point. The whole Rachel missions feel really tacked on, and that's probably because they WERE just tacked on. Still, I'm having fun with the game except for a few really annoying missions (the whole underwater moat mission was a pain in the ass). The game is pretty fun, I just hope the sequel makes it to the PS3 (I think it's 360 only at the moment).

 

Tempest

 

 

of course!

 

Yeah, the moat is the worst. The last half of the game is crazy, especially with all the bigger demons you fight. Some weapons work best vs. certain enemies but I seem to stick with the normal sword the most. Yeah the Rachel scenes are totally tacked on. They are pretty much a waste and I felt weren't needed but its nice they added something to the PS3 version.

 

I've been waiting for a true sequel forever. Hopefully we see something soon.