Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2: PS3 Upgrades Keep on Coming

Digital Foundry writes:

"The recent rush of new media assets for Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 has allowed us to update our previous analysis of the game, and it's even more good news for PS3 owners.

In our first look, it was clear to see that the Tecmo team had enhanced the PS3 version in many ways, with superior lighting, shader and bloom effects when the first shots were put up against counterparts from the 360 code. But it looked to us like the PS3 version also shared the sub-HD leanings of the original version, with a disappointing 1152x585 resolution. Media released this week, and checked out by DF associate MazingerDUDE, demonstrates that this is no longer the case, with the new Sigma title showcased to journalists exhibiting full 720p resolution."

[ultimolu]

Can't wait for this game. :3

[mastiffchild]

Same as that ulti-the camera really got on my tits in NG2 so to know it's both fixed and they give you a quick one button to centre it as well is a big plus for a port I always wanted to happen once it became very clear they were not going to patch the 360 game.

Also, like I said they would when GR were still reckoning the 360 game would be better looking, they're just now upping the res and detail with the normal no AA for PS trade off-imo a very small price(tiny jaggies)for better visuals in general.

Factor in the added content with the girls and co-op and this really does look like the complete NG package-I'd have preferred just having the gore toned down(it was STUPID in NG2 and almost totally distracting at times when it was just spurting everywhere)rather than removed and replaed with that mad blue glow but, meh!

Looking forward to this more every time I see an improvement tbh-the camera and blood made it a real struggle for me to see what was happening during heated battle(i.e ALL the time!).

[-MD-]

You obviously can wait considering it's been out for a year.

[Simon_Brezhnev]

lol well patience is a virtue and we got the better game

[peeps]

"You obviously can wait considering it's been out for a year. "

*sigh* you already know the answer to that question.... if you only own a ps3 you will obv have to wait for this game. i myself have a 360 as well but it wasn't a game i wanted to play as soon as it released, before you know it an upgraded version is being released on ps3 so i might as well get sigma now

[Lawliet]

I've been wondering what's been taking them so long? Oh, they're finishing up a Full game! Too bad NGS don't get much of an attention.

[hulk_bash1987]

LOL ever consider that he doesnt have a 360 and therefore didnt get a chance to play the 360 version??

As for me, I own a 360 and have played NG2 but i didnt buy it because i knew that there would be a Sigma version coming with more content, and guess what?? I was right.

[locos85]

Looking at those comparison pics is so stupid. Does it really matter if when you zoom in at 500% the sword looks choppy or not?

Why does this gen care so much about resolutions?

We are starting to pick games apart for things that don't matter. there are only a few thing we should care about.

1 - Fun Factor
2 - Gameplay
3 - Story

[Seraphim]

totally agree mastiff. But at the same time, at some point, you just start ignoring all the blood/ooze anyway. After the initial @@ you slowly start to focus on the game and combat itself and pay little to no attention to the blood/ooze gushing out. Either way it really doesn't matter to me, but indeed, I'd prefer to have it toned down than to be totally removed. But in doing so I think they hope they can obtain a T rating to appeal to a wider market. ;)

I already have this for my 360. I absolutely love the NG series. Even going back to the NES which I still the games for. Day one purchase for me on the 360 and another day one purchase for me on the PS3. I just can't wait to play the definitive version of this game. ;)

[Poopface the 2nd]

you must not have been playing the same game.

[TheDeadMetalhead]

I got NGS a few months ago, and it's not my kind of game (not a big fan of hack & slash action games). This looks great for the people that did like it, though. =D

"You obviously can wait considering it's been out for a year."

MDF damage control.

[ultimolu]

Hey Murderdolls, I get to play a game that I wanted all along on the 360...on my PS3. I'm extremely happy because I get to play it in full HD glory with more upgrades.

Jealousy is a bad thing...I hope you know that. :)

[Foxgod]

Sigma is not full hd, its not even 1080i, its 720p.
So what do you mean full hd glory ?

[TheDeadMetalhead]

The 360 version was sub-HD, and the PS3 version isn't. Duh.

@Halo 3 MLG Pro

*looks at the back of NGS box*

"Supported HD Video Output: 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p"

Please try to educate yourself before making silly statements.

[odisho68]

foxgod...u do know that 720p has a better picture than 1080i dont you?

[DaTruth]

So, nobody's going to point out the multiplatform title being ridiculously better, with upgrades(whole new gameplay elements and extra gameplay) and all kinds of graphical improvements?(lighting, depth of field and bloom effects)

Guess I'll be the first! If this were a win for the 360 comparison there would be 100 comments stating the superiority of the 360 due to near microscopic graphical differences and the "PS3 getz teh pwn again"!

[-MD-]

"Jealousy is a bad thing...I hope you know that. :) "

Once again there is no reason for me to be jealous as I also own a PS3.

Picture in my profile enjoy. I'm not going to play this version though for some extra characters.

[FamilyGuy]

This article, though with good intentions, is upside-down.

full 720p confirmed? We had been hearing this game was going to be 1080p native a few months back, guess they couldn't pull it off. It's still an upgrade but i had read months ago that it was going to be 1080p so im a little disappointed.

Still buying it, NG2 was one of those few and far in between reasons for me to consider buying a 360.

Others included:
Halo 3s video capture mode (uncharted 2 getting it, rag doll kung fu has it)
Star Ocean 4 (still outta luck)
Lost Planet 2 (coming to PS3 now)
Free games/hacked console (still a very good reason to buy one)

[CryWolf]

Where the hell is the extreme blood at in Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2.

[faisdotal]

"For example, depth-of-field effects have been introduced during gameplay, something again unseen in the 360 version. All of which goes to show that Tecmo is taking the PS3 seriously with this new project, even if the gore level has been inexplicably toned down... "

[PirateThom]

The new head of Team Ninja intentionally toned down the violence, he wanted to make a more sleek, stylish game rather than a blood bath.

Anyway, this is how Ninja Gaiden will be in the future.

[Poopface the 2nd]

they might have removed it to help keep it running better. The 360 version had a little slowdown sometimes, like when fighting 100 ninjas on the stairs.
It would help them boost the res, and create a sleeker NG. By that they mean like the original, where you only could slice heads off sometimes?

[TheDeadMetalhead]

It's the gameplay that matters, right? ;)

[Pixel_Addict]

funny thing, Prototype has plenty of gore, but still manages to be nothing more than an (at best) average game.

[ELite_Ghost]

I wish it was 1080p just like the first one. But it looks good anyway.
:)

[saint_john_paul_ii]

im pretty sure it will upscale to 1080p at least.

[PotNoodle]

The first Ninja Gaiden Sigma was a port of the original xbox game, which is how they managed to get it running at 1080p.

[saint_john_paul_ii]

"The first Ninja Gaiden Sigma was a port of the original xbox game, which is how they managed to get it running at 1080p."

Not really. Sigma was a remake of the original. it was a whole new engine designed for the PS3. it was never a port.

the reason why NGS2 runs in 720p instead of full 1080p is because there's so much stuff going on screen.

[IdleLeeSiuLung]

There was a huge confusion initially due to the developer claimed it would run at 1080p (he didn't say native though), but it is all confirmed through studying the game that Sigma 1 is running at 720p native.

[peeps]

if it's running at 720p i'll be happy lol i guess it sucks for the 1080p guys but i imagine the vast majority of hdtv's out there only have support for 720p/1080i

[saint_john_paul_ii]

you are very correct. as long as the game runs at 720p native though, im happy.

[mastiffchild]

PJP. Also, in my experience anyway, the big jump is from standard to 720p and on screens of 48" and under the difference between 720 and 1080 is pretty slight to the naked eye-I'd go as far as to say it's practically impossible and needs fighter pilot vision to tell them apart really well!

I can't recall what the original NG2 ran at but I don't remember it looking bad in any case.

BYW-did anyone else think that it had a little too much gore at times? I think they toned it down too far but I would certainly not have left that much in myself and think a halfway house would be best.

[IdleLeeSiuLung]

Personally I think resolution is overrated. In a HD movie I could hardly tell the difference between 720p and 1080p on a 40" TV and that is around twice the resolution. Sure I can see a little more detail, maybe some more detailed skin abnormalities on the actors, but nothing that blows my mind away.

However, a game like Prince of Persia had excellent art direction and looked beautiful. It is a very relaxing game, but I constantly marvel at what they did with it. Games like Gears of War 2 and KillZone 2 looked great, but didn't evoke the same feelings. I will take the former of the latter.

I don't think 720p let alone 1080p is done justice with the current technology. It still looks a little bare.

In regards to Sigma 2, I'm a big fan of NG series in general. I owe every single version released to date and just hope Hayashi will do the series justice and not screw it up.

I'm already displeased with the inclusion of a bazooka for Ryu, but will hold my judgment until I can try out how it affects game play.

[GEESE]

Give me FULL version or nothing. I'm not a child.

[peeps]

odd. i usually find it's the younger gamers that love pools and pools of blood. in all fairness you want some gore in a game like this but theres no need to be ott about it. i don't really see the big deal. i mean i'll get gow3 cus it will be a good game, not cus it will be super gory

[Unicron]

Ninja Gaiden 2 was the FIRST NG game that was a bloodbath... now posers seem to think the series was always gory? Too funny.

[Nathaniel_Drake]

It's ok just play GOW3 for your gore fix much gorier than NG2

[harrisk954]

Making a comment like that only shows how much of a child you are.

[locos85]

Go play X-Men Origins: Wolverine. It's the goriest game i've played yet.

[Cerberus_Hunter]

More content > more blood

If you want to play the xbox version for the blood then go ahead nobody is stopping you.

[Trebius]

If not seeing showers of blood is keeping you from buying the game, I can only assume you're a child trying to be an adult...because the rest of us REAL gamers are excited about the extra content.

The fact that NG series has NEVER had blood in the first place before NG2 probably made them realize that it's not really necessary.

They went back to the roots, AND gave us crazy upgrades.

I agree VERY VERY slightly that the blood makes the game better, but it in no way hinders the playability or the overall package of the game. Grow up.

[OmarJA]

Poor bots wasting money to play the beta versions...

I expect the same thing will happen to Splinter Cell Convication & Mass Effect 2.

[Defectiv3_Detectiv3]

I can't believe I've been banished to the open zone with you children, oh well, I usually comment in this zone anyways, its less bloated w/ comments. I geuss I learned my lesson though, don't bag on windows.

So, anyways, can anyone tell me why Tecmo has no problem coding in HD, yet every other MP game has a lower res on PS3. These lazy devs are getting annoying. I can't wait for Quantum to come out, it will be like a better HD version of Gears, should look clean.

[The_Devil_Hunter]

Mmh well see if it stacks up to my likeness, Idk but Devil May Cry has always been my fave H&S but DMC needs a serious reboot. GO BACK TO THE GOTHICH STYLE SETTING!

[Sir Ken_Kutaragi]

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[Beg For Mercy]

GAMESRADAR OWNED AGAIN THEY WERE JUST SAYIN THE OTHER DAY THAT THE 360 VERSION STILL LOOKED BETTER TALK ABOUT BIAS

[bjornbear]

Sweet =D I'm fine with less blood, PS3 will have enough blood to process when GOW III comes out =P

[Mc187]

lol

[mastiffchild]

That'll be your zipper system then! I hope it doesn't get distracting to me like the spurting did on the 360 version of NG2 though.

[xino]

After reading this article, I'll add Eurogamer to my blacklist!
Just another trash site who loves to feed fanboys.

They wanted to show evidence of what they are talking about Sigma 2 running at 720, and they showed a low pixelated image.

You've got to be farking kidding me!

Only an idiot will get sucked in by the Photoshop image, I mean look at the first comparison image, the door on the right hand side and look closer at the pillars. You can see someone added a blur effect to them.

And then look at the second image, you are telling me that was in 1280x720.
This wasn't even played in 720, I know what 720 looks like and has in-dept sharp details. Sigma 1 ran at 720-1080. So why are these trash saying Sigma 2 is running at 720, whereas Tecmo have said it runs in 1080 60fps multiple times!

These @sses are the same one hyping up the Racism in Resident Evil 5, going back to the roots of racism.

I've had enough from this trash site.

[MGOelite]

lol ninja gaiden 2 ran at 585p on 360, ps3 is 720p, tell you anything?

[Mc187]

that it has 135 more p ?

:)

[MGOelite]

swing and a miss...

[Obama]

Once again I have to thank the 360 owners for beta-testing our games. *clap clap*

[Shadow Man]

and the kids version.

[dustgavin]

It isn't leftovers when Ps3 is the superior version. First out does not always make it better. I mean...just look at the 360.

[shadow-sentinel]

Hah, leftovers...

How is it leftovers when we get MORE?

Its like this, you got the Entree and we're getting the Main.

[saint_john_paul_ii]

i didnt realize that the PS3 version gets the leftovers such as 4 playable characters instead of just 1, online co-op for the special mission mode they are adding, the Trophies, the new levels which are adding in the single player campaign, a camera view that got changed from the 360 version, not to mention, No Frame Rate issues. Oh, and a game that actually runs in HD and superior visuals only found on the PS3 version of the game of course.

What am I missing something that makes it leftovers? sounds like someone is angry that this is happening....

All Sony has to do is give Tecmo their end of the deal which is a PS3 price cut so that the game can sell so that they can profit from PS3 development, which of course is set to happen very soon.

[dogmeat eater]

Dont any of you guys have any 4th of july plans? I just came on here today to see if theres people that have no lives. Well c ya

[xino]

I guess you're crawling back to your basement:/

4 of Trash July doesn't apply to the whole world:/

[Trebius]

It's July 3rd you fukcing moron...

Before you insult the N4G community how about you look at your calendar and see if it's the right day?

I live right on Blvd East next to the hudson river with a view of NY. The Fireworks Show is going to be right outside my window lol. I LOVE IT!!

There's gonna be over 20,000 people here in Weehawken for the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the Hudson River.

[Karum]

Your life must be amazing if you have time to check and see who has no life.

I have a revelation for you though: There are like 195 countries in the world and out of those countries only one of those celebrate the 4th of July.

Assuming people posting here have no lives, given that not everyone here is from the US, is slightly retarded.

-bubble

[DaTruth]

Wow, pwning yourself and then having three people come along and pwn you!

Ouch!!

He's probably leaving his house to watch the non-existent fireworks pretty soon! He will return to read this and find out what an @$$ he is!

[-MD-]

The funny thing is that 4th of July is tomorrow.

[Marquis_de_Sade]

I don't normally kick someone when they're down, but for showing ignorance towards everyone outside the USA, myself included, let me take a bubble.

[Poopface the 2nd]

I really liked NG 2 so this one will be great. I hope the haters now all the sudden love NG.

The 360 version had some problems(not camera) so if they just fix those it would have been good, but its good to see that they are adding good stuff with their time.

[badbond1]

for testing this game for us! Now, get ready for the real Ninja Gaiden 2 game!

[Halo3 MLG Pro]

Sweet sweet game. Bought this day one and put a lot of time on it. I challenge anybody here to beat it in Master Ninja difficulty. Any ps3 owner that does this and shows me proof gets a free game of your choice.

[superdice]

MUAHAHAHAH I ACCEPT THAT CHALLENGE... wish me luck.

[DOOMZ]

Pass...

[blakstarz]

Muderdolls - "You obviously can wait considering it's been out for a year. "

This iteration of Ninja Gaiden is not entirely the same game as the one on the 360...its funny how Itagaki's NG2 installment on the 360 was lukewarm and wasn't that much of success and the people at Temco are making a better version of it for the PS3...even NGS on the PS3 was improvements over Itagaki's 360 version, but he was the one that was dead set against it.