NINJA GAIDEN Σ2

78%
Game Brain Score Based on 460 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
NINJA GAIDEN Σ2 Game Cover
Starting at $23.99Buy now
Get on Steam Get on Xbox Games Store

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
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Game Pass
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

78%
Audience ScoreBased on 460 reviews
story15 positive mentions
character development3 negative mentions
  • The combat system is fast-paced and satisfying, providing a thrilling experience for players.
  • The game features a variety of weapons and moves, allowing for diverse combat strategies.
  • The addition of playable characters like Momiji and Ayane adds new gameplay elements and variety.
  • The port lacks graphical options and requires manual adjustments for resolution and fullscreen mode.
  • The game has been censored, removing blood and gore, which detracts from the original experience.
  • The difficulty has been significantly reduced, making it easier than the original Ninja Gaiden 2.
  • story90 mentions

    The story in the Ninja Gaiden series is often described as simplistic and lacking depth, serving primarily as a backdrop for the game's intense combat and action. While some players appreciate the absurdity and fun of the narrative, many criticize it for being disjointed and filled with unnecessary side missions that detract from the main plot. Overall, the focus remains on gameplay rather than storytelling, with players generally not expecting a rich narrative experience.

    • “The story itself has a much bigger focus this time around, and although it's absurd nonsense, I enjoyed it well enough.”
    • “The story for the game was good with plenty of cool and badass moments in it.”
    • “The game continues the story of master ninja Ryu Hayabusa, who now has to stop another world-ending threat.”
    • “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 so the devs decided to be incompetent instead of making their bosses more of a fight, you're then given an easily overpowered weapon towards the end of the re-used bosses, and the final boss is a damn joke.”
    • “So, the story... or what is supposed to be a story, is a gigantic excuse for Ryu to travel the world and slay a bunch of evil ninjas and fiends.”
  • gameplay62 mentions

    The gameplay in the Ninja Gaiden series is characterized by a deep and challenging combat system that rewards skill and strategy, though it can be marred by frustrating mechanics such as poor camera control and unbalanced enemy difficulty. While some players appreciate the fast-paced action and improved mechanics over previous entries, others find the gameplay can become repetitive and less engaging due to design choices that simplify combat. Overall, the series maintains a strong reputation for its engaging hack-and-slash gameplay, despite some criticisms regarding balance and execution mechanics.

    • “The legends are true: a deep combat system, addictive gameplay, brutal difficulty, and AAA production values.”
    • “The gameplay is much faster paced, which I liked, but some enemies are a little too spongy for my taste.”
    • “Best Ninja Gaiden game in my opinion, gameplay is always fast-paced and enjoyable, soundtrack is great, and the graphics are really pretty.”
    • “I still can't even exit out of the game during gameplay, and I want Team Ninja to patch this game immediately!”
    • “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.”
    • “My concerns are the horrible camera and a lack of polish gameplay-wise, because we shouldn't be allowed to do two techniques to answer most of the situations in the game, and if you don't do those moves (the flying swallow and the Izuna drop techniques), you won't be able to get through some challenging encounters.”
  • graphics40 mentions

    The graphics of the Ninja Gaiden series evoke a nostalgic 80s aesthetic, blending artistic vision with action gameplay, though opinions vary on their quality. While some praise the visuals as appealing and consistent, others criticize the lack of modern graphical options and the dated appearance, particularly in the ports. Overall, the graphics are seen as serviceable but could benefit from an overhaul to meet contemporary standards.

    • “The graphics, while dated, have a sense of artistic vision not commonly seen in action titles, and everything from small details in the animation to the sound design shows just what a project of love this was for its creators.”
    • “The graphics are still very good with plenty of nice scenery that would make great background pictures for your computer; the levels in the game are all very good and diverse from cities, to a jungle, to even the underworld.”
    • “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.”
    • “There is no support for keyboard and mouse, practically no graphical options and the game doesn't recognize some controllers.”
    • “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.”
  • optimization18 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 locked 60fps, while others criticize the porting quality, particularly on the PS3, which led to performance issues and a reduction in enemy density. Despite some players experiencing smooth gameplay, others reported frame drops and inconsistent performance, indicating that optimization varies significantly based on hardware and platform. Overall, while some aspects of the gameplay are well-optimized, the porting process has left room for improvement.

    • “More streamlined, developed, and optimized gameplay.”
    • “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.”
    • “Performance is great.”
    • “This was probably done to increase performance on the PS3 or get a lower rating.”
    • “Horrible port optimization.”
    • “Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, the most controversial one on the other hand is very different from its vanilla version on the Xbox 360; it drops the big enemy count that appears on its linear levels in favor of performance stability, compensating it with enemies that have more health (just some, not all).”
  • music10 mentions

    The music in the game has received generally positive feedback, with many praising the improved soundtrack and its contribution to the atmosphere and gameplay experience. While some tracks are highlighted as memorable and enjoyable, others are noted to be less impactful compared to the predecessor, leading to a mixed perception of the overall quality. Overall, the soundtrack is considered good, featuring a variety of tracks that enhance the game's fast-paced action.

    • “Best ninja gaiden game in my opinion, gameplay is always fast-paced and enjoyable, soundtrack is great, and the graphics are really pretty.”
    • “The music for the game is very good and like the first game this definitely has some good tracks.”
    • “Every single track from the series is there, including the one music from 04 ninja gaiden where you get the hurricane packs and they all sound great.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability8 mentions

    Overall, the replayability of the game is limited, primarily due to the absence of cooperative play and the restriction of additional characters to specific chapters, which diminishes the potential for varied gameplay experiences. While there are some quality-of-life improvements and extra content, such as new missions and playable characters, the focus on achievement hunting may only appeal to dedicated players. Action game enthusiasts may find enjoyment in the core gameplay, but casual players might not find enough incentive to replay.

    • “It gives Ryu access to many of his best weapons again, re-adds the blood, gore, as well as the dismemberment, includes an easy-to-understand skill advancement hexagon grid system, and adds extra missions along with more playable characters.”
    • “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).”
    • “I recommend this game if you are an action game lover or you are interested in Ninja Gaiden.”
    • “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.”
    • “No co-op mode like 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.”
  • humor6 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of absurdity and irony, particularly through the contrast of the ultra-serious protagonist, Ryu Hayabusa, who delivers cheesy one-liners that add a comedic layer to the otherwise intense narrative. Players appreciate the humorous moments reminiscent of Monty Python, especially in the context of Ryu's serious demeanor juxtaposed with the game's more ridiculous elements, such as the notion of a "funny ninja man" engaging in war crimes. Overall, the humor is seen as a highlight, providing levity amidst the action.

    • “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.”
    • “(I suppose that makes for some funny Monty Python 'Black Knight' moments! After all, they are merely flesh wounds!) Additionally, each mission takes you to a new locale, so the Metroidvania interconnectedness of the first game got axed in favor of more linearity.”
  • character development4 mentions

    Character development in the game is criticized for its reliance on clichéd female character designs and dialogue, which some players find unoriginal and embarrassing. However, the artistic direction, including the atmosphere and soundtrack, is praised, with particular appreciation for the unique storyboard work and environmental design that enhance the overall experience.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience, with combat being enjoyable but often overshadowed by the frustration of facing either overly easy or tedious enemies. While the lack of backtracking is noted as a positive, the overall process of closing out the game can feel tedious and repetitive.

    • “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.”
    • “Closing out these games is tedious.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The game exhibits significant stability issues, particularly when quitting from the main title, which can cause the screen to freeze and necessitate a hard shutdown of the computer. Additionally, some bosses in the original NG2 are reported to be buggy, occasionally grabbing players even when they are staggered. Despite these problems, the overall performance is generally good, and many players still find the game enjoyable.

    • “Bottom line is that it runs great and is still a good/fun challenge that's well worth the asking price.”
    • “When I select 'Quit Game' on the main title, it freezes!”
    • “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.”
    • “Some bosses in the original NG2 are buggy as hell and will just randomly grab you when they are clearly staggered or stunned.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a touching love story, contrasted with the ultra-serious demeanor of the protagonist, Ryu Hayabusa, whose cheesy one-liners add a humorous layer to the narrative. This blend of heartfelt moments and comedic relief creates a unique emotional experience, though some players may find it difficult to revisit after completing the game.

    • “A touching love story.”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its exceptional artistic direction, which includes stunning visuals, compelling character design, and an immersive soundtrack that collectively enhance the overall experience.

    • “The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, with stunning artistic direction that brings the world to life.”
    • “The character design and soundtrack work together beautifully to create a captivating atmosphere.”
    • “Every detail contributes to an enchanting atmosphere that draws you in and keeps you engaged.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy is criticized as a blatant cash grab that exploits nostalgia, leading to a negative reception 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
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy NINJA GAIDEN Σ2

Play time

7hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
7-7hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games