NINJA GAIDEN Σ2

79%
Game Brain Score Based on 557 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
NINJA GAIDEN Σ2 Game Cover
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Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 is an action-packed hack and slash game with intense combat and challenging enemies. Players control the ninja Ryu Hayabusa as he battles his way through various environments and confronts powerful bosses. This edition includes enhanced graphics, new weapons, and additional characters from the original game. The game offers multiple difficulty levels, providing a challenging experience for both newcomers and hardcore players.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Cloud
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Game Pass
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Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

79%
Audience ScoreBased on 557 reviews
story18 positive mentions
stability7 negative mentions
  • Fast-paced and brutal combat with responsive controls, making it one of the best action games to play.
  • The addition of new playable characters and chapters adds variety and replayability to the game.
  • Despite being a port, the game runs smoothly at 60 FPS and retains the core gameplay experience.
  • Significant reduction in enemy count and gore, leading to a less intense and satisfying combat experience compared to the original.
  • The port lacks basic features such as graphical options and keyboard/mouse support, making it feel like a lazy release.
  • The game is generally easier than the original, with many mechanics and challenges toned down, which may disappoint long-time fans.
  • story115 mentions

    The story in Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 is often described as shallow and nonsensical, serving primarily as a backdrop for the action rather than a focal point. While some players appreciate the character development and engaging cutscenes, many criticize the inclusion of side missions featuring additional characters as unnecessary and lacking depth. Overall, the narrative is seen as a vehicle for combat rather than a compelling storyline, with players generally prioritizing gameplay over plot.

    • “The narrative follows Ryu's quest against the Black Ninja Clan, with engaging cutscenes that provide character development.”
    • “The game follows the story of Ryu Hayabusa, a ninja who embarks on a mission to stop the evil archfiend from taking over the world.”
    • “The story itself has a much bigger focus this time around, and although it's absurd nonsense, I enjoyed it well enough.”
    • “The story is also non-existent.”
    • “The story sucks in lots of ways, so much that this story for 3 shouldn't even exist after the ending of 2.”
    • “The ending portion of the game is 4 missions full of re-used bosses, basic enemies thrown in with said bosses because the bosses themselves aren't an actual challenge again in any good way.”
  • gameplay89 mentions

    The gameplay of the Ninja Gaiden series, particularly in Sigma 2, is praised for its fast-paced, hack-and-slash mechanics, deep combat system, and improved execution mechanics, which enhance the overall experience. While some players appreciate the refined gameplay and visual upgrades, others criticize the game for being easier and less challenging than its predecessors, with issues like a problematic camera and spongy enemies detracting from the experience. Overall, the gameplay is seen as a blend of exhilarating action and frustrating moments, making it a mixed but generally positive aspect of the series.

    • “Ninja Gaiden σ2 is a visually stunning remake of Ninja Gaiden II for the PlayStation 3, featuring enhanced graphics and refined gameplay.”
    • “The legends are true: a deep combat system, addictive gameplay, brutal difficulty, and AAA production values.”
    • “Best Ninja Gaiden game in my opinion, gameplay is always fast-paced and enjoyable, soundtrack is great, and the graphics are really pretty.”
    • “Ninja Gaiden 3 is a throwaway in my opinion; Tomonobu Itagaki wasn't involved with it, and it was made to resemble Dynasty Warriors in terms of gameplay. The characters are hollow cardboard cutouts, and overall, it's a waste of time.”
    • “Gameplay gets really stale by around the midpoint of the game, at which point you'll probably want to just grind your way through as fast as possible.”
    • “It's Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, which almost completely removed any of the gore from the cutscenes and gameplay that was in the original Ninja Gaiden 2 from the Xbox 360; that alone is already a disappointment.”
  • graphics60 mentions

    The graphics of Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 are generally praised for their impressive detail and artistic vision, showcasing enhanced character models and environments that elevate the overall visual experience. However, some players express disappointment over the lack of graphical options and minor bugs, noting that while the visuals are appealing, they do not reach masterpiece levels. Overall, the game is recognized for its engaging aesthetics and fast-paced action, despite some criticisms regarding specific design choices and the absence of modern graphical settings.

    • “Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 is a visually stunning remake of Ninja Gaiden II for the PlayStation 3, featuring enhanced graphics and refined gameplay.”
    • “The game's graphics are impressive, with detailed character models and environments that are richly detailed and visually stunning.”
    • “Best Ninja Gaiden game in my opinion, gameplay is always fast-paced and enjoyable, soundtrack is great, and the graphics are really pretty.”
    • “The entire little things like even the visual theme of the series that made it different yet pleasing in appearance/aesthetic is butchered.”
    • “This port or whatever you want to call it is awful though as the graphics are the same and the games just run at 60 fps.”
    • “It is a shame that there aren't any graphic settings or mouse and keyboard support; it is also a shame that this is just a port rather than a remaster.”
  • optimization20 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its performance on newer consoles like the Xbox One X and Series X, achieving 4K at a locked 60fps, while others report issues such as frame drops and inconsistent performance, particularly on lower-end setups. Many users noted that the game runs smoothly for them, but there are complaints about the quality of the port and its ability to handle higher enemy densities, especially in comparison to the original versions. Overall, experiences vary significantly based on hardware and expectations, with some enjoying the optimized gameplay while others find it lacking.

    • “The action performance in this game is extremely satisfying; you have multiple weapons, each with its own move set and at least one super move.”
    • “Actually, these are really low requirements/high-performance games.”
    • “Most of these negative reviews come from fans of the original NG Black games, and that's totally understandable. However, if you haven't played it before or just love character action games, then I think you'll enjoy this one; it ran perfectly for me and I had zero performance issues throughout my entire playthrough.”
    • “This was probably done to increase performance on the PS3 or get a lower rating.”
    • “Horrible port optimization.”
    • “Performance is poor.”
  • music13 mentions

    The music in Ninja Gaiden 2 is generally praised for complementing the fast-paced action and enhancing the overall atmosphere, with many tracks being described as enjoyable and fitting. However, some reviewers note that the soundtrack is less memorable compared to its predecessor, with a mix of standout tracks and others that feel out of place. Overall, while the soundtrack is good, it doesn't reach the heights of the original game's music.

    • “The game also features a great soundtrack that perfectly complements the action on-screen.”
    • “Best Ninja Gaiden game in my opinion, gameplay is always fast-paced and enjoyable, soundtrack is great, and the graphics are really pretty.”
    • “Every single track from the series is there, including the one music from Ninja Gaiden 04 where you get the hurricane packs, and they all sound great.”
    • “Ninja Gaiden 2 for the Xbox 360 is by far the best game, and unfortunately, the included version here is the Sigma version released later for the PS3 with less blood, altered levels, and music.”
    • “The soundtrack is good, but not great.”
    • “The soundtracks are a bit all over the place; definitely some bangers hidden in there, but some of the looped tracks can be a bit out of place from time to time.”
  • humor9 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its absurdity, particularly through over-the-top violence that evokes comparisons to Monty Python's comedic style. Players find amusement in the juxtaposition of the ultra-serious protagonist, Ryu Hayabusa, whose cheesy one-liners add a layer of comedy to the otherwise intense gameplay. Overall, the combination of powerful weapons and ridiculous scenarios contributes to a hilariously entertaining experience.

    • “Ngii is a very bloody and gory game, to the point that it becomes hilarious at how absurd the violence is.”
    • “In the epicenter of this whole thing, Ryu Hayabusa, an ultra-serious man that doesn't make or take any jokes, is an emotional anchor that holds everything from imploding on itself and becomes probably the most hilarious thing in the game with his cheesy one-liners.”
    • “Funny ninja man commits war crimes.”
  • stability8 mentions

    The game's stability is inconsistent, with users reporting frequent bugs, such as tracking issues during ultimate attacks and freezing when quitting. While some players experience no crashes or performance drops, others encounter significant glitches, particularly with boss mechanics, leading to frustration. Overall, the game is seen as enjoyable but marred by stability issues.

    • “Bottom line is that it runs great and is still a good/fun challenge that's well worth the asking price.”
    • “You can just spam your ultimate to beat everything, but even then half the time it doesn't track properly or randomly stops in the middle of the ultimate because the game is buggy.”
    • “The game is just a random, buggy, poorly designed mess that feels like it takes itself too seriously when harder difficulties punish you by one-hitting you if you get grabbed.”
    • “But for some reason when I do this in this game, it just freezes the screen. I can't do anything, so I have to turn my computer off just to exit the game.”
  • replayability8 mentions

    The game's replayability is enhanced by additional content such as new enemies, extra missions, and a "ninja trials" mode, though some players feel it lacks depth unless pursuing achievements. While the inclusion of more playable characters and a skill advancement system adds variety, the limitation of character access to specific chapters may restrict overall replay potential. Overall, it offers a solid challenge for action game enthusiasts, despite being shorter than its predecessor.

    • “Additional content, including new enemies and the 'ninja trials' mode, offers replayability.”
    • “It ultimately is a bit shorter than NG1, but it doesn't bother me since it's very replayable and has a lot of challenge content.”
    • “- Contains the Sigma versions, which have some quality of life improvements and additional content compared to previous versions (more playable characters, outfits, and game modes).”
    • “Just enjoy it for its action but don't expect much replay value unless you have achievements you want to spend hours collecting and upsetting yourself trying to unlock them.”
    • “1st, no co-op as the original version of Sigma 2, which instantly makes this game have less replayability.”
    • “Having more playable characters is the main upgrade to NGS2, so having them locked to one specific chapter per character really limits NGS2's potential.”
  • grinding7 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while the reduction in puzzles and backtracking is appreciated, combat can become tedious due to long, drawn-out fights and unbalanced enemy difficulty. The overall sentiment leans towards frustration, as the need for safe play detracts from the excitement of battles.

    • “The enemies will either be extremely easy or extremely tedious, and their grab attacks will take a huge chunk of your health bar out, which is rather infuriating at times.”
    • “Combat is neat, but the rest is tedious.”
    • “This isn't fun or exciting, just tedious.”
  • character development5 mentions

    Character development in the game is primarily conveyed through engaging cutscenes that enhance the narrative of Ryu's quest against the black ninja clan. While the artistic direction, including character design and atmosphere, is praised, there are criticisms regarding the portrayal of female characters and dialogue, which some players find lacking in originality. Overall, the character development is a mixed bag, with notable strengths in visual storytelling but weaknesses in character representation.

    • “The narrative follows Ryu's quest against the Black Ninja Clan, with engaging cutscenes that provide character development.”
    • “The one cool thing is the storyboard work they have for 2 and some environmental stuff I haven't seen before, including character design work, so I appreciate that much.”
    • “+ best artistic direction (atmosphere, character design, soundtrack)”
    • “Sometimes it feels like a total rip-off, especially when it comes to dialogue and female character design.”
    • “Similar amount of embarrassing female character design and jiggle physics.”
    • “The one cool thing is the storyboard work they have for 2 and some environmental stuff even I haven't seen before, including character design work, so I appreciate that much.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    Players express strong emotional reactions to the narratives in games like 177013 and Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, highlighting moments of deep sadness and attachment to characters. The juxtaposition of serious themes with humor, particularly through characters like Ryu Hayabusa, adds a unique emotional depth, making the experiences both poignant and entertaining.

    • “I cried when I saw what they did to my girl in 177013.”
    • “I cried harder when I saw what they did to my boy in Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2.”
    • “In the epicenter of this whole thing, Ryu Hayabusa, an ultra-serious man who doesn't make or take any jokes, is an emotional anchor that holds everything from imploding on itself and becomes probably the most hilarious thing in the game with his cheesy one-liners.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is praised for its exceptional artistic direction, character design, and soundtrack, with significant improvements noted in the Razor's Edge edition. Players appreciate the team's willingness to acknowledge past shortcomings and enhance the overall experience, creating a more cohesive and engaging environment.

    • “The game's atmosphere is incredibly immersive, with stunning artistic direction that perfectly complements the character design and soundtrack.”
    • “Every element of the atmosphere draws you in, creating a world that feels alive and rich with detail.”
    • “The combination of haunting visuals and an evocative soundtrack creates an unforgettable atmosphere that keeps you engaged throughout the game.”
    • “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth and immersion I expected from this title.”
    • “Despite the game's potential, the overall atmosphere is dull and fails to engage the player.”
    • “I found the atmosphere to be quite lifeless, making it hard to stay invested in the game.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy is criticized as a blatant cash grab that exploits nostalgia, leading to a negative perception among users.

    • “Just a pure garbage cash grab to exploit nostalgia.”
    • “The monetization is so aggressive that it ruins the overall experience.”
    • “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Play time

7hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
7-7hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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