Ryu!
The Dragon Ninja returns with enough suffixes even Capcom would blush.
Like a photocopy of a photocopy, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus reproduces the content of its original source but degrades the quality. The source is Ninja Gaiden II: Team Ninja's hack-and-slash action adventure game released for Xbox 360 in 2008. A port would be released for PlayStation 3 in 2009 (hence the Sigma) and again for PlayStation Vita in 2013 (hence the Plus). What we’re left with is that third clone from Multiplicity.
This should have been a simple port, but something went awfully wrong along the way.
The Warriors series caters to a very particular type of gamer. It’s the gamer that enjoys the most simple of things when it comes to their hobby. The level of entry needs to highly accessible – mechanics relegated to a few basics that can be picked up with ease, even if mastering them takes some practice. The gamer needs to feel powerful – the ability to take on huge swathes of enemies at a time with little effort. There should be collectables of the low hanging fruit variety, with the larger goal of “completion” nestled at the end, just out of reach, but completely attainable.
In this installment of Ninja Gaiden you’ll get to slice down your enemies again, and again, and again…
There isn’t much Ryu Hayabusa can’t do, he’s a frickin’ ninja after all, but in his latest outing it’s apparent that even a master death dealer’s job can get a bit monotonous after a while.
If you had some aching desire for portable Ninja Gaiden, your wish is Tecmo's command.
No matter how you want to look at it, Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus is a hard sell. Being the fourth rendition of a game originally released in 2004, chances are if you have an interest in the title you already own it in its proper home console form. If by some off chance you still don't own it, the Vita version probably isn't your best choice, mainly because the excruciatingly difficult game doesn't lend itself to quick burst, portable play, especially with its infrequent save points. If that isn't enough to scare you away, the full retail price surely will.