PS Vita Review – Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus
In 2004, Ninja Gaiden released on the original Xbox. A year later, it was re-released as Ninja Gaiden Black on the Xbox 360. Yet again, it was re-released as Ninja Gaiden Sigma on the PS3 in 2007. And here we are in 2012, and Ninja Gaiden is releasing once again, on a brand new platform, as Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus. Can one of the greatest action games ever still be viable after nearly a decade?
No.
Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus is a port of an old game, and it’s a launch title. But despite having two strikes against it right off the bat, is a mostly polished experience. The combat is as fluid and as rewarding as it ever has been, and graphically, it’s decent. Textures aren’t the best I’ve seen for Ninja Gaiden, nor the Vita, but cutscenes are remarkable. Foliage is done poorly, looking more like cardboard cut-outs than trees.
At its heart, it’s that same game – the same satisfying, lengthy game it’s always been, and a game that has been well-received across all of its releases. It’s hard to knock a game that has historically been praised as a great title, but here goes.
The entire formula just feels far too dated at this point. The storyline is laughable. Seriously, it’s embarrassing. The camera feels archaic – a lot older feeling than it really is. You and the game itself may be focused on the intense action, but the camera sure as hell ain’t. Depending on the level’s layout, worst in narrow corridors, the camera can get stuck or circle around your back, taking your eye off the prize and leaving you vulnerable to attacks. And in Ninja Gaiden, being vulnerable for even mere seconds could spell death for Ryu Hayabusa.
Dying is a real bitch. Nobody likes to lose. But adding insult to injury, game-saves haven’t changed since 2004, so if you die, you could end up being sent back to the beginning of a stage, or worse, depending on when you last manually saved at the game’s sparsely located save points. This may have been forgivable on a console in 2004-2007. But on a handheld? It’s just plain stupid. Get used to putting your Vita in standby, otherwise if you shut it off and haven’t saved the very second you’re ready to call it quits, you can kiss any progress you made goodbye. C’mon, how difficult would it have been to add some sort of autosave feature? In this day and age, and how important an autosave is to a portable, this is an unforgivable stain on the game.
Maybe the lack of autosave wouldn’t have been so bad if this weren’t Ninja Gaiden Sigma – one of the most notoriously difficult games…ever. The difficulty is both a charm and a curse. Games just don’t feature this degree of toughness anymore. The challenge is deeply satisfying, as is the combat once you’ve reached the skill level required to decimate the more deadly foes later in the game. But at the same time it is off-putting. I know; as much as I enjoyed Ninja Gaiden Sigma on the PlayStation 3, I didn’t finish it, I gave up near the end of the game. I got sick of losing to regular enemies and having to back track so far because of the save system. In fact, Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus’ new Hero mode is half the reason I wanted to play it – because I could finally finish what I had started all those years ago. The other half is because I have always been a fan of the franchise. Too bad all of these flaws have also become that much more visible due to advances in game design over the years, and now, I didn’t want to finish, not because of how hard it is, but because there are better games to play for the PlayStation Vita, and in general.
It’s really too bad, too. If only this wasn’t rushed out of the gate to make it as a launch title, it could have improved upon an already solid formula.
There are some “improvements” for Vita, still. For example, first-person touch controls have been added for projectiles. Unfortunately, this is full of fail, too, as the game is too difficult for you to ever learn how to do this correctly. And the tilt-to-aim mechanism is too jerky for accuracy. Also new in Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus is a Ninja Trials mode, which puts Ryu Hayabusa, or because this is Sigma, Rachel, up against a range of tasks. Most aren’t unique or exciting, having you defeating enemies within a time-limit. But because of the arenas the enemies will engage you in are wide and open, the camera is much less of an issue, actually allowing you to enjoy the combat – which is truly second-to-none.
Also taking advantage of the Vita’s rear touch panel are the game’s Ninpo techniques. Once a Ninpo is initiated, it is completed or powered up by tapping the on-screen seals through the rear panel. I like it personally, but if you’re not yet familiar with Vita’s rear touch panel, I can see it being more of a hindrance than a saving grace during combat. You’ll use Ninpo often, especially if you’re choosing Hero mode, which automatically restores Ninpo the second your health is low enough.
There are missed opportunities, albeit very minor, for implementation of touch controls. Items are the best example – they’re right there on the left-hand side of the screen, easily within reach of your left thumb. Instead, like the past versions of the game, you toggle between items and select them using the D-pad. There’s no major benefit in using touch over the D-pad here, but it’s right there, just waiting for that subtle thumb-swipe.
The actual meat and potatoes of the game also feels dated, but much less so than the save system or horrid camera. There are still hours of great gaming to be had with Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus. And the combat still reigns supreme as some of the best, if not the best, in the action genre. A skillful mix of guarding, dashing, jumps and well-timed attacks are necessary for success. But unfortunately, Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus is far too much Ninja Gaiden Sigma and not enough Plus, and it just doesn’t fly all these years later. Only purists will truly appreciate what’s in-store. Simply put, there are better games to spend your money on at the Vita’s launch, to the point where I don’t at all feel comfortable recommending this game. If anything, you’d be better suited to buy the 2007 PS3 release, which is probably under $20 in the bargain bin.
PlayStation LifeStyle’s Final Score
- Dated camera and game saving ruins the experience. - Vita-specific features aren’t executed well. |  |
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33 Responses to “PS Vita Review – Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus”
For a non derp review, see ign
Excuse me, but their review makes no mention of saving, and how the archaic save system doesn’t benefit a handheld title. In fact, that review only briefly mentions the new Vita features, and talks more about Ninja Gaiden Sigma/Ninja Gaiden itself.
Ninja Gaiden Sigma is a good game – a game you can get on the PS3 for less money.
when it comes to ports, don’t expect anything new unless the game itself is proclaimed a remake . Archaic save systems and camera angles are supposed to be there.
Yes, truly.
It speaks volumes when a game site that likes everything, likes this game too.
…Wait…
It’s called an opinion, no one said you have to agree but you can still respect it. As for “expecting new things in a port, wtGp, your point is destroyed by two things 1. They added a Plus at the end. 2. They added touch controls. Also, just because you shouldn’t expect changes doesn’t mean you have to like the old way.
Sev, good review, you saved me from getting this one until is drops in price. I’ll stick with Shinibido as my ninjas Vita game for now. I read IGN’s review which made it sound great but they talked nothing of the game feeling dated which I despise so thank you for saving my wallet.
@Sev – wow, I love this game on PS3, it’s really a great challenge and one of the older games for PS3 I own… but you do really raise some good points. It is FRUSTRATINGLY hard, and the save points really are spaced out like crazy. The difficulty was something I loved, but freaking out on the bus and then having to turn it off when I arrive at my destination without saving any of my progress would really infuriate me.
Beyond that though, you can probably get this for about $5 on PS3 now. I picked it up years ago, used, for $15. Beating this game is extremely satisfying in the same vein as Demon’s Souls… except way more fun. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more fun (What? I said it, yeah, Demon’s Souls’ combat sucks! deal with it.)
Like I said when it comes to ports you shouldn’t expect anything new, giese095 one point that destroys one of your 2 points is your saying of touch controls. 1. Adding touch controls doesn’t radically change the game what so ever, it’s just comparable to button mapping. In the MGS HD collection for the vita you can slit the throats in MGS3 by swiping the back touch screen so by your meaning it makes it “New”, no, no, it doesn’t. 2 I don’t know anything about these games so if “Plus” deams itself cause for a remake of additions then I didn’t know and you are right.
Good work on the vita reviews guy, keep on rocking.
wtGp, I’m pretty sure you said not to expect anything new, not anything new that would “radically change the game.” Do touch controls radically change the game? No, but it is something new. Just like adding in a new autosave feature would have been easily implemented and apart from affecting the difficulty of the game wouldn’t have “radically changed” what the game is…My point with the fact that they added the word “Plus” was simply that they don’t want you to think this is the exact same game it has always been. Just like with every other version of Ninja Gaiden they changed something, even if minor, otherwise it would still just be called Ninja Gaiden. So despite your best efforts I feel my original points are still intact.
giese095, something new isn’t touch controls being implemented to a game it’s button mapping. If I rearranged buttons on my controller does it make it new. Ports don’t change anything but add nice additions don’t change the whole game itself. Like i said before if “Plus” deams itself cause for a remake of additions such as a new save feature then yes, it does need other wise expect the exact same game. I understand what your saying but my points still valid
?????
Sev has a point
if they are going to launch a dated game without major changes, the price should be way lower
charging a full price for a 4th iteration of a similar experience is a rip off
Thanks for the heads up, i was looking forward for this one, but now is wait until cheap
Way to set it straight, this one seems like the type of game I’d pick up later for bit cheaper if I really wanted to play it on the Vita.
I love PSLS’s reviews. If I’m considering a game, I love seeing their reviews. The score is usually the first sign if it’s good or bad, but they usually point out more flaws than IGN or whoever else. But they aren’t always going to have the same opinions. I read this just because of “HerpDerp”. Honestly, if you actually read it, it’s actually a well written review. It sounds like it deserved the score it got. Just as I thought a lot of the launch titles were actually decent too though! Ah well! Keep the Vita reviews coming!
I thought they had included “pussy mode” on this one?
Not sure if you put in the ps3 game didnt have trophy support and this game does.
I never played Sigma so I may eventually pick this up…. when I eventually get a Vita…. good review!
I can’t believe how a game that is unanimously accepted as stellar; so faithfully ported to a handheld, can get 4.5 out of 10. Even with original flaws it still remains an awsome game.
A mark of 6 I might understand; but 4.5?!! – With all the reviewer’s praise? NEVER IN A MILLI)ON YEARS!!
This score is so…. disappointing. I’m reading more reviews of Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus on the net and though the review is on a par, the score is falling further and further short of the average mark.
It’s a shame, because it was an above average rating of Shinobido 2 that led me to the Playstation Lifestyle site.
I think you need to ease up on how into the numbers you get, man. You just said yourself that “the review is on par.”
The reviewer sees the game as juuuust half a point shy of “Average” (5), and he did a fine job of describing why. As a portable, it has problems.
The most important part is the text. It’s a thorough, professionally done review with all points carefully considered and all relevant content discussed. The number at the end is far less important than that.
Thank you for the compliments on the Shinobido 2 review, as well.
No matter how you put it, a 4.5 is something I wouldn’t look at twice. And scoring properly is also a considerable part of being “professional” and a “professional” review, wouldn’t you agree?
I’m not sure how your two points are related. I disagree with the first one and agree with the second one.
Caught up in the scores: YES!
Because if you look at the criteria for a four mark on any site, it would suggest the game is either broken or is unplayable.
Neither is the case here and the game to anyone who plays it on the Vita will be as you remember it on the PS3; a game that got 9 across the board.
For this reason I find it baffling that the game doesn’t at least warrant a 6 rating – which I would still deem too low, considering the review and score for Shinobido on PSLS.
You’re absolutely right. It was a great game on the PS3 at the time. The same game release now on the PS3 shouldn’t score as highly, because a lot of it is dated compared to newer titles that push the platform more.
Now, couple that with Vita specific features that detract from the experience rather than adding, and a save system that just doesn’t work for a handheld and the score fits.
The gameplay may not be broken and “unplayable”, but the save system and other faults makes playing it more of a pain than something you would enjoy. That, to me, is borderline unplayable. Which means that the scores fits.
Also, a 4 shouldn’t mean broken or unplayable – then what are 0-3 scores for? 4 means below average, something I can’t recommend unless you’re a huge fan. My review says all of these things.
My suggestion: if you don’t agree with my review, buy it. You’ll either continue to believe I was wrong, or you’ll understand where I am coming from. Either way, I feel like i’ve done my job by telling people to spend their money elsewhere on the Vita’s stellar launch lineup.
“Because if you look at the criteria for a four mark on any site, it would suggest the game is either broken or is unplayable.”
How about looking at the criteria for a 4 on this site? It fits what he explained right above me.
Since the Shinobido 2 comparison keeps coming up, I’ll add one more quick note, since I wrote that review (which is here: http://playstationlifestyle.net/2012/02/14/ps-vita-review-shinobido-2-the-revenge-of-zen/ )
It delivered a type of fun I haven’t had in years. It reminded me of the days when Tenchu was new and fresh, and made by Acquire as opposed to other devs. It’s great as a portable and uses Vita features very well, aside from the awkward rear-touch aiming of the grappling hook (which can be remapped anyway). It has technical issues, but none that are years old that the dev had a lot of time to address while porting the game from a different system. Moreover, they don’t interefere with its portability and don’t keep me from wanting to keep playing the game — and really enjoying it.
Glad you read it and liked it. Tell your friends about that game if they like stealthy stuff.
great review man… haters gonna hate.
@Anthony Severino
Cool. Suggestion noted. I already bought it, lol.
I’m not a hater btw. I thought both the praise and criticism within your review were fair comment; It was the score that struck me as harsh.
Thanks for sparing the time in getting back and respect for standing by your score – even if I don’t agree … at all, lol.
All the best.
I think it’s ridiculous how often reviewers have to re-justify their scores when they did perfectly well doing so within the text of the review. If you read the review you would know that the score isn’t low because of gameplay or graphics but because of dated elements that, in my opinion, could have easily been fixed like the camera system and the lack of an autosave feature. I would guess that this game would get a score of 6 or above if either of those things were fixed.
I didn’t demand a reply from the reviewer and I didn’t expect a reply from him. He was kind enough to give me the courtesy and I respect that.
The comments section is there to question and discuss. Given that I absolutely love this game and the score is considerably lower than the lowest rating that I could find online, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to question it.
As long as people aren’t abusive, why shouldn’t we have right of reply?
Hey Dusty,
I don’t think that giese’s reply was directed at you, but instead was more of a generalization. As reviewers, we frequently get bombarded by people complaining about review scores – either they’re too high, or too low. We see it even if the game isn’t out yet, people just seem to formulate their own scores in their heads before they’ve even set hands on it.
It’s unfortunate, but I don’t think things will change. Your original comment and reply were respectful, however, it’s not uncommon to see vicious bashing, or like the first comment did, say my review was a “derp” review because it wasn’t the same as IGN’s.
Thanks for visiting the site, we hope you stick around!
Sev, you’re absolutely right, it was a generalization not aimed towards Dusty.
Dusty, the comments section is absolutely there to question and discuss the contents of the review/article and you did it in a respectful way that did not insult the reviewer which I have no problem with. By all means you have the right to disagree as long as you do it respectfully. The problem I have is when comments essentially say the reviewer is wrong because of the score and they even throw an insult at the reviewer. Just like the opinion of the user who posted the comment the reviewer has a right to their opinion and should therefore not be assaulted because of it, nor should their review be attacked.
This honestly is a game I would love to try but after hearing about how insane the difficulty is I just don’t think it, my temper and an expensive handheld would jive together nicely. ;D
I believe they were supposed to package in a new easier mode with this version… I’m not totally sure, maybe Sev could confirm or deny this?
As I recall, the biggest difficulty was really the learning curve – learning to dodge around, block attacks, and use the massive number of combos available in an effective way definitely takes some trial and error – especially since every weapon type you equip has it’s own unique set of moves (one of my favorite features in the game). If you can handle fast paced action, it just takes some patience to learn how to deal with it… easy mode would still help tho.
Yep, it’s called Hero mode. Automatically restores Ninpo when you reach a low enough health. It DEFINITELY makes it much easier.