Famitsu's out early because Friday's a holiday in Japan:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/R9_SA/1237270845894.jpg
http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/5695/59308551.jpg

Also, new Gundam game for ps3, and, unexpectedly, the new Atelier Ronora is in 3D, rather than 2D like it's ps2 counterparts:

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/9076/20216245.jpg
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/9710/a21z.jpg

This just goes to show that the way of the third party exclusive is over (for HD consoles). Even a game published by MS goes multiplat. I expect MGS4: Supersubsistence (or whatever they'll call it) and Mass Effect to be next.

Edit:

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/2346/09031715063935c0281fe85.jpg

Nice... bought it on 360 used a few months back... was a pretty good game... might rebuy it if they add enough extra stuff.

Gundam looks hot:

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/5058/090317145994e5ecd840322.jpg

sounds great

i hope fix some of the glitches and bugs though. i will pick up day one regardless:)

Surprising considering it was half-published by Microsoft. I've always expected MGS4 to get ported (since previous MGS games eventually were), but not this. Makes me what other games from both sides are going to cross over in the future. It's good news, more games for everyone :)

Apparently, you have to own the franchise, otherwise they can just release essentially the same game with a slightly different title with added content.

I guess Ayane will be a playable character.

I'm not surprised that this is going to come out for the PS3. Games cost too much these days to make.

I'm curious if MGS4 will ever make it to the 360. Will they change the controller he uses to move the robot from a PS3 controller? Will they remove all of the corny, pointless references to Blu-Ray and swapping discs?

I hope they do release it for the 360 because it's a fun game, but it will be interesting to watch how it is done.

Very good news, and from the looks of it it got the same update that Sigma got.

This is a day one purchase for me. Gaiden is a very challenging, but rewarding franchise.

This is funny though, as the lead developer regularly throws the PS3 under the bus, and was reportedly displeased with his dev team after they came out with Sigma. he said they messed it up, but most think he was somewhat jealous because it was actually the most polished of the release/rereleases.


I hope they do release it for the 360 because it's a fun game, but it will be interesting to watch how it is done.


If it is, the engine will need to be totally rebuilt to run on the 360 architecture, not to mention something needs to be done about the mandatory HDD installs. That's a lot more work then changing around a few assets in game.

Still, I'd love to see a MGS4: Subservient addition with trophy's for us PS3 users and a port for our xbot fans ;)

This is funny though, as the lead developer regularly throws the PS3 under the bus, and was reportedly displeased with his dev team after they came out with Sigma. he said they messed it up, but most think he was somewhat jealous because it was actually the most polished of the release/rereleases.


He doesn't work for Tecmo anymore, though.

Nice, although it will be a tough sell if you have both systems because the 360 version is so cheap right now. Ninja Gaiden Sigma is still one the best action game experiences I've had on PS3.

He doesn't work for Tecmo anymore, though.

you beat me to it. and it was a quite steamy break up

Nice, although it will be a tough sell if you have both systems because the 360 version is so cheap right now. Ninja Gaiden Sigma is still one the best action game experiences I've had on PS3.

That's cause Ninja Gaiden 2 kind of sucked. Definitely was not as balanced or polished as its predecessor, especially at high level play. If Tecmo can re-engineer the game to where it is, people will double dip.

He doesn't work for Tecmo anymore, though.

Good!

Quite frankly, he seemed like a pompous jerk. lead Dev's shouldn't be taking sides, they should be making good games for whatever they can get their hands on.

Especially Dev's that get schooled by their underlings.

Good!

Quite frankly, he seemed like a pompous jerk. lead Dev's shouldn't be taking sides, they should be making good games for whatever they can get their hands on.

Especially Dev's that get schooled by their underlings.

You forgot that the guy looks like a wannabe rockstar, with long hair and sunglasses that he never removes.

It think I'll pass on that one. Played Sigma, was kinda fun but a forgetable experience.

I am not trolling, but I am a 360 owner with NG2 and I scored in the top 100 on the final Master Ninja Tournament on the Xbox. I came to this side of the board to check out Sigma 2 screen shots because my work has a ridicuoulous content filter. Anywho, I agree, NG2 is not as good at high level play; but it is really fun to play the challenge pack. There are a few trials in which you get 1 weapon, upgraded ninpo and face unlimited waves of enemies. That is pretty much all I play because there is hardly any slow down and no need to run around looking for the next group of enemies to dispatch. I will be looking forward to see what happens with Sigma 2. Honestly, I was so close to buying a PS3 for Sigma 1. I wanted to run on the water like Naruto and kill!!

I am not trolling, but I am a 360 owner with NG2 and I scored in the top 100 on the final Master Ninja Tournament on the Xbox. I came to this side of the board to check out Sigma 2 screen shots because my work has a ridicuoulous content filter. Anywho, I agree, NG2 is not as good at high level play; but it is really fun to play the challenge pack. There are a few trials in which you get 1 weapon, upgraded ninpo and face unlimited waves of enemies. That is pretty much all I play because there is hardly any slow down and no need to run around looking for the next group of enemies to dispatch. I will be looking forward to see what happens with Sigma 2. Honestly, I was so close to buying a PS3 for Sigma 1. I wanted to run on the water like Naruto and kill!!

I'm all for Sigma 2 as long as it doesnt strip features away like Sigma 1 did from the original X-box versions (which I owned both NG & NG Black since I didnt have XBL to get the hurricane packs). The unlockable games included with the original Xbox versions were HUGE plusses for me consifering I loved the NG series back in the NES days when I bought all of those games brand new. Taking them away from me in Sigma was kind of lame.

I remember how many loyal 360 fans argued with me on various websites (gamespot included) trying to educate me on how "business" works.

I told them over and over again that regardless whether MS published NG2, it is Tecmo's IP and they can do with it what they please, including making a NG2 port under the name of NGS 2 for PS3.

Not there really is ZERO reason for me to consider a 360.

Thanks Tecmo.

I'm all for Sigma 2 as long as it doesnt strip features away like Sigma 1 did from the original X-box versions (which I owned both NG & NG Black since I didnt have XBL to get the hurricane packs). The unlockable games included with the original Xbox versions were HUGE plusses for me consifering I loved the NG series back in the NES days when I bought all of those games brand new. Taking them away from me in Sigma was kind of lame.

If you still have NG1 on Xbox, I suggest you download the hurricane pack and give it a spin. There is a block cancelling move that is not on NG Black. Basically, ANY attack can be parried with the correct application of the Left trigger. In addition, UT charge instantly after said parry. It made the game very easy on Master Ninja difficulty, but extremely fun. Thus it was not included on NG Black.

If you still have NG1 on Xbox, I suggest you download the hurricane pack and give it a spin. There is a block cancelling move that is not on NG Black. Basically, ANY attack can be parried with the correct application of the Left trigger. In addition, UT charge instantly after said parry. It made the game very easy on Master Ninja difficulty, but extremely fun. Thus it was not included on NG Black.

I wish I still had them around but I decided to clean off the entertainment center and sold off my Saturn, Dreamcast, Xbox, and PS2 about a year ago.
Even then I was not able to even finish the game on Very Hard, let alone, get to Master Ninja Difficulty with NGB.

I did like what they did with the additional Doku levels at the start of Sigma (whom I have not yet beaten) and the numerous changes to the rest of the levels throughout but I did not care for the Rachael levels at all. They just seemed "thrown-in" and her slow paced combat really messed with my timing when going back to the Ryu levels.

So is this for both systems? I see xbox 360 all over the article. Hopefully it wont have all the slowdown thats in the 360 version. Either way, probably wont purchase as I still havn't finished the game on the 360.

They already got the engine running on the PS3 from the first NGS (which ran at 720p, unlike NG2) so I think Tecmo will have a lot of time to polish the game. Of course, NG2 has more stuff going on, but I think it will turn out to be at least as good, with some bug fixes and added content.

I would be very happy if they were able to fix Ninja Gaiden 2. Ninja Gaiden Black was my favorite game from last generation (placed in all three tournaments), and Sigma is just beat out by Halo 3 this generation.

I will happily buy this up when it comes out. Hopefully, they'll:

1. get the resolution right
2. get the framerate right
3. include the extra 360 stuff
4. include a freaking level select
5. get the load times close to the 360 with a full install

I will then own every single relevant version of Ninja Gaiden (original+trilogy unlocks, Black+Arcade, Sigma, NG2 360, NGS2). There's something wrong with me.

I don't know if I'll pick it up or not. I am currently playing the heck out of NG2 on my 360 right now. I played it when it first came out and did not find it all that fun. Ninja Gaiden is my favorite game series too. Now that i have played through NG2 and have a better feel for it, I like it quite a bit even if it was rushed out and not as polished as it should of been.

That being said, I mostly use my 360 for gaming and my PS3 for Blu-Ray. I have had a deep rooted hatred for the PS controllers going back to the original PS.

That's cause Ninja Gaiden 2 kind of sucked. Definitely was not as balanced or polished as its predecessor, especially at high level play. If Tecmo can re-engineer the game to where it is, people will double dip.

Itagaki was forced to rush NG2 quite a bit it's part of teh reason he left and then sued Tecmo.

Good!

Quite frankly, he seemed like a pompous jerk. lead Dev's shouldn't be taking sides, they should be making good games for whatever they can get their hands on.

Especially Dev's that get schooled by their underlings.

Name a multi million dollar game project that you've led and I'll register your opinion. Many lead devs have an ego or some unusual practices. David Jaffe(God of war 1, twisted metal 1 & 2, black) is a very opinionated person and regularly takes sides(though he usually sides with sony for obvious reasons). Hideo Kojima is a very opininated person though he also very humble. Either way who thought a MGS duck hunt game for the iPhone was a good idea? Game devs are like movie directors each has a drive and vision to get things done. However they do it is just how they do it.

You forgot that the guy looks like a wannabe rockstar, with long hair and sunglasses that he never removes.

and he has no regrets about it, at least he sticks with it.

Itagaki was forced to rush NG2 quite a bit it's part of teh reason he left and then sued Tecmo.



Name a multi million dollar game project that you've led and I'll register your opinion. Many lead devs have an ego or some unusual practices. David Jaffe(God of war 1, twisted metal 1 & 2, black) is a very opinionated person and regularly takes sides(though he usually sides with sony for obvious reasons). Hideo Kojima is a very opininated person though he also very humble. Either way who thought a MGS duck hunt game for the iPhone was a good idea? Game devs are like movie directors each has a drive and vision to get things done. However they do it is just how they do it.

Not to get into a pissing match, but I see a difference between being rightly opinionated, taking sides for no reason, and just acting like an ass.

Both Jaffe and Kojima have had their opinions, but haven't thrown MS under the bus, and have called things generally as they see it.

One of Jaffe's favorite games of the year is Gear2; Kojima holds nothing against MS, but has stated the MGS4 isn't possible in it's current form due to their lack of a HD, and blurays capacity. That's a strictly business decision. Both have praised games in some areas, but love to talk about the areas they didn't work in an attempt to become better.

From what I've read on Itagaki, he was displeased on what his team did with PS3's Sigma, threw them under the bus calling it a travesty once he realized they polished it even more, and has always disparaged the PS3. He sounds like a total douche bag, and I'll call him out on it. To top it off, he's now in his own legal pissing match with Tecmo, and blaming them for the poor sales of a game that was in development since the days of the XBox.

As for the Iphone game; With the low dev costs and the huge payout of things such as a virtual fart machine appz, It seems like a brilliant idea.

Cheap to make, cheap to sell, easy to distribute. Sounds like a wise money maker to me.

Not to get into a pissing match, but I see a difference between being rightly opinionated, taking sides for no reason, and just acting like an ass.

Both Jaffe and Kojima have had their opinions, but haven't thrown MS under the bus, and have called things generally as they see it.

One of Jaffe's favorite games of the year is Gear2; Kojima holds nothing against MS, but has stated the MGS4 isn't possible in it's current form due to their lack of a HD, and blurays capacity. That's a strictly business decision. Both have praised games in some areas, but love to talk about the areas they didn't work in an attempt to become better.

From what I've read on Itagaki, he was displeased on what his team did with PS3's Sigma, threw them under the bus calling it a travesty once he realized they polished it even more, and has always disparaged the PS3. He sounds like a total douche bag, and I'll call him out on it. To top it off, he's now in his own legal pissing match with Tecmo, and blaming them for the poor sales of a game that was in development since the days of the XBox.

As for the Iphone game; With the low dev costs and the huge payout of things such as a virtual fart machine appz, It seems like a brilliant idea.

Cheap to make, cheap to sell, easy to distribute. Sounds like a wise money maker to me.

Itagaki quit and sued because they promised him and his team a bonus if they delivered ninja gaiden by a certian date and tecmo stiffed them on it. Tecmo was also simultaneously sued by most of their employees for harsh and unfair practices so itagaki was far from unique in his lawsuit.

Second sigma was not made by itagaki's team it was one of his asst directors and a small group of people pulled from animation and planning along with a bunch of new hires. Itagaki kept everyone else on for NG 2. Was Sigma better than NG1?
IMO no I felt the balance was way off, the graphics did nothing to utilize the PS3 and the ne wmissions with what's her name were boring but hey that's just me. Considering sigma built on what itagaki did you still can't say itagaki is a hack because he still made sigma and he still made NG2. Jaffe says he doesn't take sides but he still plays the role when he feels bemused to(just read his blog). and IMO there's far worse "douchebags" in the industry that itagaki (if he is one). The guy running neversoft for instance still feels like he's the Dave mustaine of music games juts because everyone who knows what's what perfers rock band over GHWT. Thenhe claims his game contunues ot have revolutionary mechanics when thos emechanics have already been done by harmonix.

Ultimately more people get to play Ninja gaiden 2 so it all works out IMO.

Same guy who directed NG Sigma is heading up Sigma 2, so we should get a very refined version of NG2.


Can't wait.

So while PS3 owners are playing this port, will Xbox owners be enjoying timed exclusivity with NG3? If history is any guide, I think so.

So while PS3 owners are playing this port, will Xbox owners be enjoying timed exclusivity with NG3? If history is any guide, I think so.



What does NG3 have to do with this?

So while PS3 owners are playing this port, will Xbox owners be enjoying timed exclusivity with NG3? If history is any guide, I think so.

I'm fine with that...just not fine with a $60 price tag for a stripped port. I'm hoping for more than NGS was compared to NG & NGB...

So while PS3 owners are playing this port, will Xbox owners be enjoying timed exclusivity with NG3? If history is any guide, I think so.

mmmmm turkey bacon!

So while PS3 owners are playing this port, will Xbox owners be enjoying timed exclusivity with NG3? If history is any guide, I think so.



Itakagi (who was biased with MS) is gone from Tecmo.

So your answer is no.

You forgot that the guy looks like a wannabe rockstar, with long hair and sunglasses that he never removes.

Those things that look pockmarks covering his face are actually miniature volcanic eruptions allowing his awesomeness to vent to the atmosphere.

Here are some screenshots..I can't wait for this one. NGS was one of my favorites on the PS3.

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/76811420090319_205950_11_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images11_4_30524.html)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/76811420090319_205950_12_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images12_4_30524.html)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/76811420090319_205950_10_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images10_4_30524.html)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/76811420090319_205950_9_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images9_4_30524.html)

Love them cans!!
http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/76811420090319_205950_7_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images7_4_30524.html)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/76811420090319_205949_6_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images6_4_30524.html)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/76811420090319_205949_2_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images2_4_30524.html)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/76811420090319_205949_5_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images5_4_30524.html)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/76811420090319_205950_8_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images8_4_30524.html)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/76811420090319_205950_14_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images14_4_30524.html)

mmmmm turkey bacon!

Watch it or you might get your account suspended. :cool:

I remember how many loyal 360 fans argued with me on various websites (gamespot included) trying to educate me on how "business" works.

I told them over and over again that regardless whether MS published NG2, it is Tecmo's IP and they can do with it what they please, including making a NG2 port under the name of NGS 2 for PS3.

Not there really is ZERO reason for me to consider a 360.

Thanks Tecmo.

I have an xbox 360, with Halo3, NG2, and DOA4.

If it were not for NG2, I wouldnt have bought the 360. And to add insult to injury... I didnt like NG2 at all.

Its annoying how I have to fight 5 of those demon beasts at a time... constantly. 5 appear, kill 1, another appears, kill another, another appears and so on, until you kill like 10-15 demons

Some arm will just appear from offscreen to attack you, while you are fighting the demons on the screen.... Gah, the game is just annoying. Considering how I triple dipped and bought Ninja Gaiden twice for the xbox, and Sigma for the PS3....

I was completely disappointed with this game. Was Joe Hyabusa on Roids?

So while PS3 owners are playing this port, will Xbox owners be enjoying timed exclusivity with NG3? If history is any guide, I think so.

Sour grapes?

I have an xbox 360, with Halo3, NG2, and DOA4.

If it were not for NG2, I wouldnt have bought the 360. And to add insult to injury... I didnt like NG2 at all.

Its annoying how I have to fight 5 of those demon beasts at a time... constantly. 5 appear, kill 1, another appears, kill another, another appears and so on, until you kill like 10-15 demons

Some arm will just appear from offscreen to attack you, while you are fighting the demons on the screen.... Gah, the game is just annoying. Considering how I triple dipped and bought Ninja Gaiden twice for the xbox, and Sigma for the PS3....

I was completely disappointed with this game. Was Joe Hyabusa on Roids?


Remember, Itakagi is kind of a masochist, so that is extended into his games.

I played all versions of the first NG (especially the challenges which you should know how difficult they were) and heard of the problems that NG2 frequently.

Since the same guy who spearheaded the first Sigma is at the helm again, here's hoping for a more refined NG2.

I hate all the latex/sado outfit of Ryu!

I hate all the latex/sado outfit of Ryu!

Yet I dont see you objecting to them on Rachel?!

Yet I dont see you objecting to them on Rachel?!

Well, I franlkly don't care about her, oh,..and she ain't real ;)

What I mean is that the whole ninja outfit should have being like the old Ninja Gaiden NES games. I know it was unlockable in Sigma but it should have being his primary one.

BTW, did II have anything approaching a coherent, thought out story?

NGS pretty much lacked even a basic one.

Remember, Itakagi is kind of a masochist, so that is extended into his games.

I played all versions of the first NG (especially the challenges which you should know how difficult they were) and heard of the problems that NG2 frequently.

Since the same guy who spearheaded the first Sigma is at the helm again, here's hoping for a more refined NG2.

They just take too long to kill, and there are way too many of them. Its like... did I kill any of them yet... there are still 5 on my screen.

http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index/php?story=22868

Although only mentioned in passing, apparently NGS2 is going to feature online co-op.

That sounds really cool in theory. But given the nature of the gameplay, I could see it being too chaotic with multiple ryus' doing ultimate techniques at the same time

That sounds really cool in theory. But given the nature of the gameplay, I could see it being too chaotic with multiple ryus' doing ultimate techniques at the same time

I would assume that your co-op partner would be a different character (Ayane).

Here is a full description (http://gdc.gamespot.com/story/6206597/?tag=topslot;img;1)of the improvements:

A ninja's life should be pretty straightforward as a general rule. However, Tecmo's Ryu Hayabusa isn't your everyday ninja. The super ninja has had his ups and downs, with a fair share of stabbings thrown in, over the course of the Ninja Gaiden series. The most recent console entry, Ninja Gaiden II, which was released last year on the Xbox 360, is now undergoing a PlayStation 3 conversion to become Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2. While this may sound like a straight port of the Xbox 360 Ninja Gaiden II, it's not. In fact, the game is getting a chunk of work done to it, everything from camera tweaks to all-new content, which will make Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 a meaty addition to the PlayStation 3 catalog.

If you're not familiar with Ninja Gaiden II, the game is a prequel to the classic Ninja Gaiden games on the NES. Though there is a story revolving around Ryu Hayabusa's race to retrieve his village's demon statue and save the world, the key takeaways are that killing things as a highly skilled ninja with an arsenal of conventional weapons and magic is good fun and that developer Team Ninja likes to make its games challenging. For the PlayStation 3 version of the game, developer Team Ninja and director/producer Yosuke Hayashi are aiming to refine and expand on Gaiden II. The approach is fueled in part by the feedback provided by fans after playing it on the Xbox 360 and the team's desire to create the best game it can. On the story side, Sigma 2 will tell the story seen in Gaiden II on the 360 and will also add in new story elements tied to the new playable characters.

New playable characters we say? Yes, brand new and even sexier (this is Team Ninja we're talking about). Sigma 2 will feature new playable female characters, which should be familiar to fans of the series and of Tecmo's Dead or Alive. The first is Ayane, the purple-haired ninja from DOA, who will come packing her own unique moves, weapons, magical attacks, and provocatively placed butterfly accessory. The second new character is Momiji, last seen at a lower resolution in Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword on the DS, who will bring her own arsenal of abilities and weapons to the fray. Both characters will be integrated into the story, which will branch off to follow their adventures. Not to be outdone in the new content department, Hayabusa will face off against new enemies and bosses with some new weapons tossed in to help deal with the new foes.

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.

Outside of the meat and potatoes of gameplay and visuals, Sigma 2 will feature trophy support. But you should plan on logging a good chunk of time in the game's various modes to earn them all, because Team Ninja is sprinkling them throughout both the single-player and the co-op modes. You'll at least be able to look back on all the work in stat form, thanks to an in-depth stat-tracking feature that will keep tabs on fun facts like the number of enemies you've killed, preferred weapons, and so on. Lastly, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 will feature Dual Shock 3/Sixaxis functionality, so you can plan on rumble to enhance your experience and shaking your way to more powerful ninpo magic attacks. Based on this early look, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 is shaping up to be a worthy follow-up to Ninja Gaiden Sigma. The refinements and tweaks to the core gameplay all sound like they're going to be beneficial. The additional content, especially the online co-op modes and the additional playable characters, beefs up the original Ninja Gaiden II's offerings quite a bit. According to Tecmo, there is roughly 30 percent more content in the single-player additions on top of the all-new co-op content. Fans of the first game on the PlayStation 3 should definitely be pleased by what Sigma 2 is serving up. Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 is slated to ship this fall for the PlayStation 3. Look for more on the game in the coming months.

there's footage being shown at GDC but it lacks most of the gore of NG2. The final game will ahve the full effects of NG2 and more supposedly.

This one's going to be a nightmare to get a platinum for.

how were the 360 achievements?

I'm on the second-to-last mission on the Xbox version and all I can say is - WOW is this game horrible! Offering a challenge is one thing - positioning the camera where your opponent ISN'T all of the time is absurd (and I mean ALL of the time). Also absurd is needing to press the start button three or four times in order for it to actually go to the menu so you can use a health pack. I also like re-doing certain sections over and over again because the save points are so far from one another. I truly love having to fight the same winged demon guys (10 at a time, no less) over and over and over and over (and the bosses multiple times each as well). I should have learned my lesson from NG1 on the first Xbox but couldn't pass up the $9.99 deal at Best Buy. Last Itagaki game I buy for certain.

Oh yeah - also fun is when on the final boss you can't see or control your character for about six or seven seconds while you're getting pounded. That's fun, too!

Ninja Gaiden and Ninja Gaiden Black on the Xbox were my favorite Xbox games, hands down. The camera gets silly sometimes, but it really isn't that hard to get used to.

No offense, but you have an odd definition of "silly". I'm not looking for perfection, but not being able to see ANY of your enemies because they are all off-screen and you're suddenly dead is inexcusable. I know nothing about game programming but would like to know that with the amazing technology that exists today, why can't anyone make a game with a camera worth a damn? Of course there are other games with problematic cameras, but this one takes the cake hands-down!

Ninja Gaiden and Ninja Gaiden Black on the Xbox were my favorite Xbox games, hands down. The camera gets silly sometimes, but it really isn't that hard to get used to.

Have you played Ninja Gaiden 2?

I liked Ninja Gaiden, black and Sigma. Ninja Gaiden 2... terrible. Even the charactors acting were terrible.

With this statue, we will rule the world... hahahahah. Looks over at weird chick, she starts laughing to... hahahaha... Pan out to both.... hahahaha

Hopefully the camera flaws and random fists from off screen will be fixed for Sigma. The PS3 version sounds interesting.

No offense taken. I'm only talking about the Xbox versions, which were amazing; and if you are referring to them then I disagree with you completely. If you are talking about the Xbox 360 version then I can't comment since I've never played it.

No offense, but you have an odd definition of "silly". I'm not looking for perfection, but not being able to see ANY of your enemies because they are all off-screen and you're suddenly dead is inexcusable. I know nothing about game programming but would like to know that with the amazing technology that exists today, why can't anyone make a game with a camera worth a damn? Of course there are other games with problematic cameras, but this one takes the cake hands-down!

Nope - I'm talking about NGII for the 360. I played both the original and Black on the original Xbox and enjoyed them. While the camera was pretty rough, it was nowhere near as bad as it is in NGII. I'm not trying to complain here, but re-playing the same part over and over and over because you keep getting killed by enemies that you can't even see is absurd.

I never bothered with NG2 on my 360, I must say the first game turned me off incredibly on the Xbox. The camera drove me completely batty, and even when Black came out with the fixed camera I couldn't force myself to finish the game. And I'm normally a big fan of genre.

Did Sigma really make that much of a difference?

Did Sigma really make that much of a difference?

No. Sigma had a higher resolution, better lighting effects, and a few extra playable levels that I didnt care for but no huge changes to the cameras...though I still bought it (and still own it) becaue I love the play style of NG and I no longer have my Xbox.

In my opinion: Ninja Gaiden 1 plus the Hurricane Packs > Ninja Gaiden Black > Ninja Gaiden Sigma. I dont own a 360 so I cant comment on the value of NG2/NGS2 but if the price falls below $40 or some significant content is added you can bet I'll buy it.

Ninja Gaiden Sigma was the first game I ever played on my PS3, and probably the worst.

Ninja Gaiden Sigma was the first game I ever played on my PS3, and probably the worst.

When talking about pure gameplay, I'd say it was one of the most frustrating, but best. It truly was a challenge to find the right way to get through it, finding combo's strings that would work on enemies, ect.

Ninja Gaiden Sigma was the first game I ever played on my PS3, and probably the worst.

The trick is learning which weapon to equip for which enemy and then learning the Izuna Drop and Flying Swallow. Sometimes the big and slow weapon with huge knockback is the best way, other times you need to equip a flail weapon, and sometimes you need the fast & furious damage from a small sharp blade. Earn yourself the Unlabored Flawlessness and do some massive damage with immense combos and inredible charged attacks.

English please. I'm not going to try it again. Two hours with that camera was enough for a lifetime.

English please.

:D
Ninja Gaiden is not a simple button mashing game unless played on the Ninja Dog difficulty level. You wont get far without learning the combos, counters, and charges of all the different weapons. It's definitely not a game for everyone but I love it! I see it like Streetfighter meets God of War.

One thing I can say that was very cool about NG2 was the "style" of the game - hyperviolent and great art.

Hopefully Sigma 2 is more balanced, etc., than the original release. I also hope they can get the game running in 720p (NG2 ran at sub-HD to maximize the 360's EDRAM).

Any one who claims NG sucks because it's difficult needs to put on a short pink skirt.

Any one who claims NG sucks because it's difficult needs to put on a short pink skirt.

It's definitely not easy on Very Hard or Master Ninja difficulty.

Any one who claims NG sucks because it's difficult needs to put on a short pink skirt.

I don't think it sucks because it's difficult; I think it sucks because it's stupid. There is a sharp learning curve, but once you get a hang of it the fighting itself is very cool and strategic. But then there is an awful camera making things harder than they have to be.

Motion control boob jiggle FTW! !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEFyLuYJwH4

It's definitely not easy on Very Hard or Master Ninja difficulty.

Ninja Gaiden 2 was Terrible.

I love the arms that come from offscreen to hit you. Terrible.

Ninja Gaiden 2 was Terrible.

I love the arms that come from offscreen to hit you. Terrible.

I played the demo and loved it.

Yeah, the camera could use some better detection but after playing so much of the first one across the Xbox (Original, Hurricane, & Black) and then Sigma on the PS3 I got used to making minor camera tweaks myself, on the fly, with the left stick. I do admit that the boss battle in the demo sucked when the camera decided to lower itself so the building behind the fight blocked 90% of your view. I'll get over that though...

Anyway, today is the day...Amazon shipped my copy out this morning! I'd have bought this locally but I had a lot of Amazon gift cards to burn through. I better hurry up with this one since my pre-order box for Uncharted 2 is sitting on my shelf giving me a mean stare.

I played the demo for Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 and loved it. However, I noticed that Ninja Gaiden 2 was now going for $20 on the 360. Even though I compared both and liked the PS3 version better, I just didn't feel that it was so much better as to warrant triple the price. So, basically I picked it up for the 360 just because of the lower price.

I don't have a 360, so that's not an option. My guess this one is going to be lost with the OCT onslaught coming. Also do to that, I'm holding it in my Goozex Queue and saving it for a rainy day (month) when there's less to do.


As for the camera. it seems to me, at least in the demo level, that the level was much, much more compact (narrow hallway) then most of Sigma 1. The camera was having some issues there, and it was also much more "Snappier" then in Sigma 1. There was times when it would refuse to come closer due to being pinned on a wall and wouldn't allow you to turn it all the way around. not cool when you're getting attacked from that angle and need to position it that way.

The camera is pretty bad, for sure, but I'm a fan of the user-skill style action, so I'll give this one a rent.

The camera really isn't that bad. It's no worse than it is in the new Batman. Sure, it's not ideal, but it's also not a deal-breaker.

What is a deal-breaker is the absence of Tests of Valor, blood, and a co-op campaign. Not worth $60. More like a $20-30 Greatest Hits title. Bosses are still ridiculously repetitive. And the level design is still stupidly confusing. Wait for this to hit bargain prices, then pick it up.

I don't have a 360, so the price and content differences are non-issues for me. I really enjoyed NGS, and so far I'm really enjoying NGS2, doing Izuna Drops and chaining UT's right from the start this time...

- Jer

I liked the demo. I'll probably get it when it is cheaper.

:D
Ninja Gaiden is not a simple button mashing game unless played on the Ninja Dog difficulty level. You wont get far without learning the combos, counters, and charges of all the different weapons. It's definitely not a game for everyone but I love it! I see it like Streetfighter meets God of War.

On chapter 10

very cool game
;)

I'm not at all happy with Amazon right now. I preordered this game weeks ago, I denied the "free" shipping option as that usually adds many days to the delivery, and I still dont have this game yet. I just got a notice saying I can expect it by Friday October 9th.

What a load of crap after having paid the $5 for 3-5 day shipping. To add a little salt to the wound they've already dropped the price from the preorder price of $56.99 to $54.99.

/rant

If it hasn't shipped, call them up. Per their policy they should price match it for you to the lowest price listed before they ship it to you.

I'd also ask whats up with the delay, although I've heard it's not unusual for games to have shipping issues with them (If you don't use their release date guaranteed) option.

The camera really isn't that bad. It's no worse than it is in the new Batman. Sure, it's not ideal, but it's also not a deal-breaker.

What is a deal-breaker is the absence of Tests of Valor, blood, and a co-op campaign. Not worth $60. More like a $20-30 Greatest Hits title. Bosses are still ridiculously repetitive. And the level design is still stupidly confusing. Wait for this to hit bargain prices, then pick it up.

I paid 30 bucks for it about two months after it was released on 360, I wouldn't pay more even with the stuff you mentioned. OK, maybe 40 with co-op.

Have they improved the camera over the first sigma?

The demo for this one was just... awful! Bad camera and the controls were wonky (who makes R1 'center camera'?). I haven't played Ninja Gaiden since the original and I thought this game was terrible!

Have they improved the camera over the first sigma?

As far as I could tell by the demo.....no.

Have they improved the camera over the first sigma?No. Sigma's camera is better than Sigma 2's.

Sigma fixed NGBlack's terrible camera. And Sigma 2 fixed NG2's terrible camera. But Sigma's is still better than Sigma 2's.

IMO NGS2 cuts way too much out of NG2 to make NGS2 worth a full-price purchase. Missing enemies, missing weapons, missing Tests of Valor, missing blood, missing combat mechanics (on-water fights). It's simply not an improvement. Just too much missing in order to make the game "easier." :rolleyes:

Anyone found a solid list of the secret trophies for this game yet? It looks like there are trophies for completing the game on each difficulty, but I don't know what the others are. The 10,000 kill line in the personal records might be suggesting something.

I did notice that beating the game on Warrior doesn't grandfather in the Acolyte trophy like most other games would, but you can apparently just do the final chapter challenge on Acolyte to get that one. And I think I read someone saying that getting a Master Ninja rating on all of the chapter challenges nets you a secret trophy, too...

- Jer

Anyone found a solid list of the secret trophies for this game yet? It looks like there are trophies for completing the game on each difficulty, but I don't know what the others are. The 10,000 kill line in the personal records might be suggesting something.

I did notice that beating the game on Warrior doesn't grandfather in the Acolyte trophy like most other games would, but you can apparently just do the final chapter challenge on Acolyte to get that one. And I think I read someone saying that getting a Master Ninja rating on all of the chapter challenges nets you a secret trophy, too...

- Jer

God I want this game now. I now hate Amazon for preordering things like this. Hell, there are already copies on Craigslist for $45 and I dont have my $56 copy (plus $5 shipping which I think they made money on by sending it media mail instead of the UPS ground that I paid for) from stupid Amazon. Grr...I want to dismember spider ninjas now!

I'm not at all happy with Amazon right now. I preordered this game weeks ago, I denied the "free" shipping option as that usually adds many days to the delivery, and I still dont have this game yet. I just got a notice saying I can expect it by Friday October 9th.

What a load of crap after having paid the $5 for 3-5 day shipping. To add a little salt to the wound they've already dropped the price from the preorder price of $56.99 to $54.99.

/rant

Get Amazon Prime. They usually have deals going to equal out the fee. I got $60 worth of groceries when I payed my $60 to sign up. Well worth it if you use amazon a lot.

No. Sigma's camera is better than Sigma 2's.

Sigma fixed NGBlack's terrible camera. And Sigma 2 fixed NG2's terrible camera. But Sigma's is still better than Sigma 2's.

IMO NGS2 cuts way too much out of NG2 to make NGS2 worth a full-price purchase. Missing enemies, missing weapons, missing Tests of Valor, missing blood, missing combat mechanics (on-water fights). It's simply not an improvement. Just too much missing in order to make the game "easier." :rolleyes:

Haha, that's like describing Cindy Crawford by only pointing out the mole on her face. :)

There are a ton of improvements besides the better camera in Sigma 2 that you don't acknowledge, and almost every major review site except ign scores Sigma 2 higher as a result:

- The graphics have received a substantial kick up according to general agreement (especially the textures),

- The frame rate improvement ranges from better to significantly better depending on the area, as has the screen tearing

- There are exclusively three new playable characters to use, each with their own weapons and unique playing styles

- There is a new online co-op mode with 30 stages to battle the baddies with your buddies,

- It's said the difficulty is smoothed out to remove annoying sequences from the original game (but still, multiple difficulty levels are available),

- While seven enemies and bosses were removed they added seven exclusive enemies and bosses

- At least two new stages were added

- The Tests of Valor are not missing, just moved to another part of the game

- A couple of weapons were removed, but they added some new ones too (like Enma's Fang and the Howling Cannon)

- Some weapon mechanics have improved, like unlimited ammo for some projectiles and the ability to move around while wielding the Fiend's Bane Bow

- They streamlined the pacing by removing old-school Resident Evil style item hunting for keys to access the next area and minimized or eliminated confusing back tracking in some areas (the swamp was mentioned in an example)... it's more linear, but focuses much more on its strength of straight-forward action (preferences may vary)

- The weapon upgrade system is simplified so there is less need for farming currency

It's understandable that when taking the good with the bad, someone who has played the original already wouldn't want Sigma 2. However, since the vast number of PS3 owners have never played the first one, there's no reason not to be satisfied with this release since there is no reference point of comparison.

There are a ton of improvements besides the better camera in Sigma 2 that you don't acknowledge.Actually, I do. Just not in that post since I was responding to someone asking specifically about whether the camera was improved. ;)

If I didn't own a 360, I would think NGS2 was a fine, but still a lackluster follow-up to NGS.

Since I own a 360, it's a much tougher question. NGS2 takes as many good things away from NG2 as it adds. And Team Ninja didn't bother fixing many of the things that were truly wrong with NG2. Some of the changes are truly puzzling (limits on weapon leveling, dead-ends in levels where enemies used to be, and so on).

Definitely not the "definitive" version, just simply a different version of a sub-par sequel to a great game.

Anyone want to trade my mint/complete Uncharted 2 for your NGS2?

i played the demo. cool game. but i won't get it because they took out the blood. i don't know why they would do that on the ps3, which arguably has the most mature audience of the three consoles.

i played the demo. cool game. but i won't get it because they took out the blood. i don't know why they would do that on the ps3, which arguably has the most mature audience of the three consoles.IIRC they had to edit out the blood for the 360 release in Japan. So they went ahead and found an alternate solution (purple haze) for the PS3 release. A lot less work (and money) for the port and localization if they don't have to change any of the actual content between regions like they did for the 360 release. Sucks, but it makes sense.

The other changes are a much bigger problem. Definitely not a worthy successor to Ninja Gaiden Black/Sigma. Besides, now that Bayonetta's out and GoW3 is on the horizon, there's not much reason to bother with NGS2. Hell, even DMC4 is better than NGS2 IMO.

PS3 Bayonetta is a lazy port with far more tech problems than NGS2... people are better off trying Darksiders for their action game fix until GoW3 arrives.

PS3 Bayonetta is a lazy port with far more tech problems than NGS2... people are better off trying Darksiders for their action game fix until GoW3 arrives.The PS3 version isn't nearly as bad as most people keep saying it is. No worse than the PS3 version of Assassin's Creed 2. Not to mention that the 360 version of Bayonetta has its fair share of tech issues (screen tearing and slowdown).

Bayonetta is an awesome game that was obviously made on a much smaller budget than other big name titles. And it manages to outdo most of them regardless.

So the bajillion comparison articles on the 'net almost universally criticizing the terrible load times and the muddier, muted palette of the PS3's version is wrong? How about the non-stop comments on the frame rate, which has been shown to be 40% to an insane 70% slower when compared to the X360 version?

It's so bad that the developer had to come out and say "we take full responsibility, blah blah, blah", and even talked about getting help from Sony to polish it up before the U.S. release (guess it didn't happen).

And Sega wants our money for that crap? No thanks... I'll rent it, buy it used, or most likely pass this time around and wait to see if Bayonetta 2 gets its act together.

So the bajillion comparison articles on the 'net almost universally criticizing the terrible load times and the muddier, muted palette of the PS3's version is wrong? How about the non-stop comments on the frame rate, which has been shown to be 40% to an insane 70% slower when compared to the X360 version?All I can say is "try it for yourself." I've played through both versions and you wouldn't notice anything wrong with the PS3 version unless you'd already played the 360 one. Yes, side-by-side you'd notice the muddier textures on the PS3 version, and the load times are a few seconds longer (but that also gives you a few extra seconds to practice your combos). But in terms of gameplay, there's nothing you'd notice. The discrepancies in the PS3 version of AC2 (framerate and screen tearing) are more distracting than those in the PS3 version of Bayonetta. As usual, it's been blown way out of proportion by the gaming media.

If you've played the PS3 demo, you know exactly what to expect. Regardless, don't bother with NGS2. Play Bayonetta instead.

All I can say is "try it for yourself." I've played through both versions and you wouldn't notice anything wrong with the PS3 version unless you'd already played the 360 one. Yes, side-by-side you'd notice the muddier textures on the PS3 version, and the load times are a few seconds longer (but that also gives you a few extra seconds to practice your combos). But in terms of gameplay, there's nothing you'd notice. The discrepancies in the PS3 version of AC2 (framerate and screen tearing) are more distracting than those in the PS3 version of Bayonetta. As usual, it's been blown way out of proportion by the gaming media.

If you've played the PS3 demo, you know exactly what to expect. Regardless, don't bother with NGS2. Play Bayonetta instead.

Don't know how this turned into a Bayonetta thread, but I agree with you except for the load times. They really do bother me. I'm holding out hope for a patch to let us install it to the HDD. I sent a respectful email to Sega support. If you'd like to see a patch, please do the same.

No one is saying Bayonetta is unplayable, but a lackluster effort in so many areas that has attracted so much attention = no purchase for me. For those that cantolerate it, I have no problems.

Darksiders seems to be at the top of the mountain for this genre right now... I plan to keep my eye on that one until GoW3 comes if I need a beat 'em up fix.

Fair enough, but you'll be missing out on one of the best action games available just for a few extra seconds of load time. I played some of the GoW Collection this afternoon for a bit. Made me miss Bayonetta's combat mechanics. ;)

What game is this thread about again?

What would be a better follow up for Ninja Gaiden Sigma: NGS2 or NG2 or 360 Bayonetta? Is NG2 actually a top notch action game the way NG/DMC3 was or is it just not worth bothering with if that's what a person wants to play?

What would be a better follow up for Ninja Gaiden Sigma: NGS2 or NG2 or 360 Bayonetta? Is NG2 actually a top notch action game the way NG/DMC3 was or is it just not worth bothering with if that's what a person wants to play?I'd put NG2/NGS2 on par with DMC4. Not great. Not awful. Perfectly fine if you need a fix. But very disappointing as a follow-up to NGBlack/Sigma.

What would be a better follow up for Ninja Gaiden Sigma: NGS2 or NG2 or 360 Bayonetta? Is NG2 actually a top notch action game the way NG/DMC3 was or is it just not worth bothering with if that's what a person wants to play?
If you're looking for a game in this genre to play, I wouldn't hesitate to pick up Bayonetta. I almost skipped over this game as it looked like a cheezy DMC rip off, but after picking it up I'm totally hooked.

What would be a better follow up for Ninja Gaiden Sigma: NGS2 or NG2 or 360 Bayonetta? Is NG2 actually a top notch action game the way NG/DMC3 was or is it just not worth bothering with if that's what a person wants to play?

Bayonetta has the best fighting in an action game, period. Nothing really comes close.