GameSpot: Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2: First Look

GameSpot: "Beyond new playable characters, Sigma 2 will feature an all-new online co-op mode that lets you and a friend team up to work your way through more than 30 challenge stages, which can be played in one of four difficulty settings. Your performance will be ranked and uploaded to leaderboards so you can see how you stack up against the world. The stages will be a mix of original areas and those seen in the single-player game, which are being redone for co-op play. Finally, the game will see a good amount of work put into refining the gameplay experience. The game's camera is being tweaked based on user feedback. You will also get additional cues on where to go next from your playable character because your character's head will look off in the direction you're supposed to go in. You'll also find a variety of additional tweaks peppered throughout the gameplay to help make Sigma 2 a smoother, sleeker evolution of its 360 counterpart.

Sigma 2 is making use of an enhanced version of the graphics engine used for the original game. The game is aiming to surpass the visual quality of the last game by blending new tech into the original engine. The results so far are impressive and bode well for the game's final release."

[- Ghost of Sparta -]

720p screenshots http://www.gamespot.com/ps3...

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- Online co-op
- Playable characters: Ryu, Ayane, Momiji
- Trophy support
- Graphics have been enhanced
- Camera has been tweaked
- New weapon called the "Hasaiga Enma."
- Large scale boss battles not seen in Ninja Gaiden 2 (360)
- Trailer http://gdc.gamespot.com/vid...

Oh and the gore was censored for the show.

[sonarus]

lol i must admit the coop has me excited.

Thanks microsoft for funding Ninja Gaiden 2. The definitive sigma version couldn't have been possible without you.:D and thanks to Itagaki for GTFO of Tecmo too:)

[TheHater]

I wonder what Itagaki is going to think when he see this trailer and read that its going to have online co-op and two new playable characters?

[eagle21]

thanks for your public beta microsoft! :)

read the gamespot comments...lol

[pwnsause]

"Oh and the gore was censored for the show."

Wait were did it said that? they better keep the gore LOL

[morganfell]

They only censored the gore for the public showing, not for the game.

[meepmoopmeep]

i wonder what itagaki is thinking about this

i wasn't very interested in this game until this announcement.
co-op, damn.

[- Ghost of Sparta -]

Lol @ my copy cat above. I take it you enjoy being banned by Catastrophe? Damn you are sad lol.

[INehalemEXI]

Ayane is quick alot quicker then Rachel, so much win in NGS2.

/sigh

[patterson]

http://www.gamespot.com/pag...

Why the disagree? I'm drinking chocolate milk right now dammit.

[UnSelf]

I CANT WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Heres the thing however: AS one of many super Ninja Gaiden elitist, i found that NG2 lacks in various areas when compared to part 1. Very subtle areas in fact but areas that makes 1 more enjoyable nonetheless. Heres to a couple of things i hope they fix or remove from 2 to bring back the true ninja style of part 1.

I neva played 2 but did thorough research on it and watched others played and from what i gathered they stripped most of everything that made Ryu a ninja and turned him into some sort of super demon and here are the things ive noticed.

1. in part 1, when u hold blk and tilt left or right, front or back, Ryu either rolls left, rolls right, backflips or roll forwards. Howeever in part 2, he just simply flys or shifts in those directions like some sort of teleporting demon. This maneuver takes away fom Ryu's ninja agileness and replaces it wit lazily developed movement. plz take dis out.

2. In part 1, though Ryu is a fightin expert how good he is relied on just how good u were, seperating the weak from the strong. With moves such as the Flyin Swallow, its easily to see how most ppl will spam this move throoughout the entire game. In part 2 ive noticed that he now has a double flyin swallow attack that almost made me puke. Yea it made add to the ooooo's and ahhhhh's of the game but its makin him less of a expert ninja and more of just a super powered demon.

Right now those are the only 2 i can remmeber but im sure there was more so im beggin u Tecmo (or whoever is responsible) please remove those "cheat" features and bring back the original Hayamusa we all love. The one that makes u work for ur rank

[ThanatosDMC]

How did they explain demons and magic in this game again?

[dragunrising]

Looks like a must buy to me. I was worried it would only be a port. Glad my assumptions are wrong. :-)Day one purchase.

@ meepmoopmeep

"Sigma 2 will feature an all-new online co-op mode that lets you and a friend team up to work your way through more than 30 challenge stages."

I interpret this to mean there is co-op but not through the campaign.

@ Bubbles

Personally I think the save and restore system in NG2 is a little cheap. Each save point restores all your life. This in part takes out the life or death moments from the first. The game is definately easier than the first. Good observation on the animation differences. I miss being able to flip backwards. Granted NG2 was a little rushed. Hopefully they fix all the little quirks that made NG memorable.

Edit: Apparently I said something wrong? If you disagree, speak up son. There was co-op announced but not for the campaign. "Challenge stages" doesn't sound like campaign to me. In the 360 version there was DLC in the form of a "mission mode." I assume this is something similar albeit different. The PS3 should have all of the DLC, and then some with co-op. All I needed to hear was 30% larger campaign and additional characters.

[meepmoopmeep]

well, in the story they said "..."

oh wait... WHAT story?

[INehalemEXI]

fiends, greater fiends , and ninpo is all I know.

[SaiyanFury]

Wow, awesome interview. I loved the original on the 360, but I would totally pay another 60 bucks for this version. I love the extras and the online coop is win win for me, since I care nothing for competing online. Very nice addition also, is the addition of not only one, but TWO extra characters playable. Very nice, I'm liking the 1080p version of Momoji already. :D

[XLiveGamer]

"Thanks microsoft for funding Ninja Gaiden 2. The definitive sigma version couldn't have been possible without you.:D and thanks to Itagaki for GTFO of Tecmo too" ????

-------------------
Hey azz thanks too him Team Ninja its what it is and thanks to him you have Ninja Gaiden New Style.

You are definitely a Ninja Gaiden Fan poser.

[ThanatosDMC]

I mean, they did copy the idea of DMC after all, and im psycho for DMC... but i want to understand how ninja's and demons suddenly intertwined. I'm basically scratching my head and asking "WTF?"

[Seraphim]

SIC!! I can't wait. *drops Ninja Gaiden II in garbage*

[MisterNiwa]

Mr. Thanatos, as demon specialist... The only thing thats possible is...

The hell froze and demons like it warm so they go to tokyo where it is warm in summer and cold in winter, so they can live a peaceful life.
But then a ninja called Ryu Hayabusa got pissed and started slaughter them, so the demons got into contact with bad people.
So they turned bad, and its all Ryus fault, now he is trying to make everything okay by killing everyone of them.

!?!??!??!?!?!?!

[Killjoy3000]

This is the real reason why Itagaki left. Playstation was getting all the Xbox treatment and it just so happened Techmo decided to join in.

[ThanatosDMC]

I'd buy that cuz they never actually state why in the actual story. Unlike the DMC story of Sparda "awaking to justice"... though im pretty sure i'd go the other way too if im hanging out with dumbass monsters for an eternity and had the power to live with humans and seal away my old friends cuz they'll mess up my fun. Meh, i'll probably try this game out.

[Wildarmsjecht]

co-op ninja gaiden? running through stages with a partner?....I picked up sigma. it was good and i enjoyed it, but i never thought it'd be a series i would really be following too much...but with this little number (and the appropriate fixes that plagued NG2) i might pick this one up as well...another 65(tax included) dollars might be leaving my wallet this year...:(

[rogimusprime]

since I'll be snagging this one day one. Hopefully they fix the slowdown issues and can keep it at 60fps when hordes of enemies are one screen.

I do wonder how it supposed to be a prequel to the NES games. Obviously the demon statue just kind of disappears after the blood chick steals it...Ryu never gets it back. And in NG1 on NES there are two twin demon statues....

Whatever...we don't play these games for the story anyway.

THE DAHBILIRO IS BACK!!!

[Skyreno]

SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!!! CO-op

[jams_shop]

Sold!!! day one enough said

[stealthy-guy]

and here i thought it was gonna be just another port.

i just might have to get this game now.

[i_like_ff7]

Why are you talking about visuals for a game like ninja gaiden :/ Its never been a visual powerhouse, its dead fun to play though. Can't wait!

EDIT:Sorry trying to reply to killzone2ownsallfps

[ultimolu]

...*ded*

[killzone2ownsallfps]

no doubts this.....

[i_like_ff7]

Im buying this day 1 for sure. I've always loved ninja gaiden and now it has coop :D

[bigjclassic]

Another reason to play PS3. Cant wait till NGS2 drops.

[pwnsause]

that Co-Op Mode is crying for Home Game Launching! seriously, i would like to see Tecmo/Team Ninja incorporate NG2S into Home in some fashion. Home Space/Game Launching/unlockables(Like SFIV and RE5) via trophies. Hopefully they make arcade machines that run the original NG 1/2/3 into Home. That will be awesome!

[jonboi24]

Ninja gaiden like clothing would be cool or some wall scrolls for your apartment. How about the costume ayane is wearing and some DOA *oppai* (this is japanese for....well just google it you'll be happy you did)physics for HOME, LOL. They should make a game space that looks like the village in NG1 and NG:DS. Plus have some sort of ninja academy were people can post up requests for partners to join in co-op.

After being disappointed with NG and all its issues glad to see that NG is back on the systems that can really handle it.

Though I'm not sure but has offline co-op been confirmed and if it is does the score you get on offline co-op go up on the leader boards?

[pwnsause]

i dont think its going to have offline CO-Op. for a 3rd person action game like this, its not necessary and its no use. Online However Makes sense, but the online wont follow the story I believe, it would be like a special game, like a "horde Mode" or a "Mercs Mode". Im cool with that.

[jonboi24]

I guess online mode would be something like a mission mode/survival mode that was in NGS1, using the stages that are in the story mode. I wonder if there will be some sort of versus mode. I'd really like to test my ninja skills against someone else though that would be highly unlikely.

[J@D]

2 words... hello sexy XD

Looking forward it this Fall.

[Unicron]

Hopefully you can do most of the story mode with a partner as well, even if its just for fun.

[Bill Gates]

.

[Bathyj]

Well if they're crying at least they're doing it to themselves.

They've gone strangely quiet.

Where are you Goon?, C*ck caught in a vacuum cleaner again?

[morganfell]

What is hilarious is I can't count the times I saw one of these crybabies post "No Ninja Gaiden 2 for you PS3 fanboys! ha ha"

Yeah, you are right. Who would want to be stuck with a a beta like NG2 when we can have Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2.

[Orange]

day one purchase. i am so happy about this.

[jackdoe]

Online freaking co-op! Never saw that coming. Can't wait.

[Rob0g0rilla]

http://n4g.com/NewsCom-2943...

Lol, I feel like an idiot. Seriously didn't see it coming. This should be interesting. Played it and beat it on 360 and thought it was easier then the first one. The trailer & info has convinced to get this game day 1.

[boodybandit]

if done right co-op can definitely add to the fun factor of a game. Did it not for RE5?

Personally I have yet to play RE5 but a lot of my friends think the co-op is better then going it alone. Co-op is the new thing most online gamers want today but it's like any other online game. If you don't want to go online you don't have too but it's nice to have this option.

[young7yang]

microsoft

ouch

big ouch

glad i switched to the dark side of the force

[Grooski]

Online coop for NG??

Day

F*cking

One

[rogimusprime]

but what am I going to do with that xbox copy of NGII.....

[anubis12]

boob physics....lol

[meepmoopmeep]

each boobie gets an SPU
mind blowing physics thanks to Teh Cell

:)

[TitanUp]

looking forward to this,i don't visit gamespot too much but this preview is actually well done.

[TitanUp]

i didn't buy it for 360 but did rent it and its a lot of fun well made game love how difficult it is.

[Godmars290]

Either as DLC or a new disc.

I say this as a PS3 owner.

[Godmars290]

Or if you really listen the guy says, "revealed characters available for co-op?"

It just seems to me that 1) the announcement of a third playable comes off as a bit too sudden, as in a taste of more, and 2) the only thing that could possibly make this game any cooler would eb an option t play as ALL the major characters. That includes the bad guys.

Also just the fact that the CIA chick should be playable since Rachael was in the first Sigma.

[StayHigh]

wow amazing im excited for this game

[no-spin]

and the PS3 is coming in hot to steal 2009 from the rest

[name]

Wow, nice. Must buy.

[Darrius Cole]

Online Co-op!!!!!

I know Xbox fans are going to be really, REALLY PISSED when they see this.

[jBat17]

but it's trash compared to the ps3 exclusive, NInja Gaiden Sigma 2..
to avoid confusion, we should now refer to the 360 version as Ninny Gayden 2. e.g. that Ninny Gayden 2 is trash compared to the ps3 exclusive, NInja Gaiden Sigma 2

now that they have added big breasts, i meant big boobs, i meant big bosses, it's a must buy for me!

[Darrius Cole]

The only Big Boss is the one in Metal Gear Solid. XD LOL

[blackbeld]

I gonna buy this one !!!!!!!!!!!! online co-op !!!!!!!

[pshizle]

amazing

looking forward to what sigma2 brings to the table =)

[lolol123]

looks very good! i may be sold on this!

[Ps_alm3k]

I thought it was his real voice at first...

[- Ghost of Sparta -]

LMFAO

[1 HiT KiLLZ]

WOW! anyone else notice in the pics there is not a single jaggies in site. The ps3 is truly shining. This will explode in japan and elsewhere.

[ApocalypseShadow]

not sure what i'm laughing about.....itagaki?.....rushed 360 version?

i....just...don't....KNOW!! LMAO!

yes i trashed the rushed 360 version.proud of it.they rushed it to market and now itagaki's protege is whooping his @ss with better games produced on ps3 with new game engines.

just adds to even more ps3 exclusives.d@mn!what does 360 have left?

apocalypse..............

[Bumpmapping]

Damn 360 fans must be angry knowing PS3 getting the superior version.Thank you Team Ninja for supporting your true fanbase on the PS3!

[TwistedMetal]

better graphics
better camera
better gampelay
more gameplay
more playable characters
more bosses
more story
more trophies
online co_op, a ton of bug and bad codeing fixes in its entirey its 50-60% more content plus
no rrod
no scratch discs

[TwistedMetal]

ITs freaking online coop ninja chopping karate kicking action dudes. This is a must buy for any true ninja gaiden fan. I need to get a second job just to fund the amount of awesome games this year. Im literally crying tears of joy at the moment. i never though in my life that this year would be the greatest year of gameing ever in the history of gameing.

[KKanjiAnkh]

This is probably some of the coolest news in a while, besides fighting games coming back.

If they took the DS, version, and overlapped it w/NG2, plus 2P Co-Op, I am SUPER impressed about that, type of detecation. I loved Momiji, and DSword, was the set up 4 NG2, beautiful, just beautiful.

[SolidAhmed]

thank god for having a ps3.
day by day the possibility of having co-up in god of war is enlarging.

[lazzymusa]

LOL this looks so much better on ps3. its gonna own lol, its gonna OWN!!

[supremacy]

ahh how i remember the old 360 has superior ports song, those days are over.

also the sigma names i believe is an exclusive thing to the playstation brand anywho nija gaiden was supposed be released on the ps2 long ago, but never surfaced in the first place.

years later here we are and now some are begging for some multiplatform release?

not gonna happen at least not for a while.

that person you just saw on the interview loves the ps3 to death, it so has stated many times in the past even when the first sigma game was made public.

the sigma is and has always been label as a back up engineer to fix and improve on the many mistakes its previous incarnations had.

ds and 360 games combined with a few extras gives you this my friends.

for those of you, who dont have a ps3,i say embrace the dark side now and avoid dissapoinment later on.

this is coming in the heels of uncharted 2? and maybe even god of war 3? what? infamous? killzone 2 what? yakuza 3 what? wardevil what? heavy rain what? many more to come what? lol if you think this is the greatest line up you ever seen give me a hell yea. yes

japanese developer showing love and support to a japanese giant its how its suppose to be.

plus im sure this game can actually fit on a single bluray with all these graphical enhancments im hearing about maybe a lil 7.1 surround sound?

speaking of bluray i gotta go pick up that 007 quantum of solace, almost forgot my ps3 was more than just a simple gaming machine.

[xg-ei8ht]

Yeah microsoft Pays for sigma 2, Some 360 fans buy sigma 2.

Those sales and payment are used for making a better game on PS3.

Sounds good to me.

[GiantEnemyFlop]

EAT THAT $HIT 360 TURD

[Gun_Senshi]

now watch me get platinum trophy

[Giriath]

Momiji is damn detailed. http://image.com.com/gamesp...

[Etseix]

OMGFCOLAFMOGO! CO-OP!?!?!?!
sold-

-sry Timmy no dinner for u this month.

[Carl]

Awesome, I thought this would just be a simple port O_O

Loved NGS, so this will be a day one buy!