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> Results: Ninja Gaiden Sigma
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The ESRB Says
Blood & Gore: GamerDad found lots of blood and gore. The gore doesn't stay and the blood is mainly a quick spray that shows you that you're doing damage. Intense Violence: This is a bit extreme. In earlier games decapitations were possible but we couldn't do that here. Is it removed? Don't take my word for it but it looks like it is. Suggestive Themes: Ryu meets some scantily clad ladies and Rachel is buxom in a way that's only possible in video games. Use of Alcohol and Tobacco: Pipe smoking and the healing drinks are called "spirits" Stop me if you've played this one before. . . No kidding, if this one looks familiar, it's probably because you owned an Xbox. "Ninja Gaiden: Sigma" for the PlayStation 3 is an enhanced remake of the awesome "Ninja Gaiden: Black" for the Xbox, which was an enhanced remake of the classic "Ninja Gaiden," also for the Xbox. "Sigma" takes the original plot, features, and gameplay from the original, the bonus content from "Black" and brings them to Sony's next generation machine with significant graphics enhancements and a handful of new missions (that really do round out the story nicely) featuring buxom beauty Rachel. It's worth the upgrade, even if you played the originals to death, because this is one well-crafted action game and players new to the game (over 17, please) are in for a treat because "Ninja Gaiden: Sigma" stands with everything currently available on the PlayStation 3. Master ninja Ryu Hayabusha has a problem. The bad guys destroyed his village and stole an important family artifact; it's up to players to master his moves and defeat the bad guys. "Ninja Gaiden" puts a emphasis on combat, this is basically a well made fighting game with a sprawling adventure attached. While at first players will button-mash their way to victory and frequent death (the game requires skill) learning the controls makes the combat elegant and stylistic. Ryu moves with grace and can run up walls, make spectacular leaps, and even run across water while swinging his Dragon Sword and cutting enemies to ribbons. Yeah, it's a violent game. There's no getting around that and all the weapons arrows, ninja stars, swords, spears, and more look like they hurt and blood spatters all over the screen. It's not gratuitous, the game is bloody but never feels gory or exploitative, but this is one of the more violent videogames available and the PlayStation 3 visual upgrade only makes the game feel more like acrobatic lethal ballet. Fans making the upgrade will be disappointed (maybe) that the new content is locked. Meaning, even if they defeated the game before, they must do it again on Normal to unlock the new missions (a 20-hour prospect). But any adult new to the series will find a lot of stylistic and skill-based ninja violence to sink their teeth into. It's a classic remade, and that's a good thing for the PS3.  
Well, this one's rated M. Can't get around it. You spend all your time running around slashing things in increasingly cool ways, leavened only by breaking and entering and stealing important-looking stuff with cryptic names. Such is the life of an electronic ninja. Blood is everywhere - random sprays while you're working on them, and the bad guys just sort of pop like huge balloons of red paint when they die. On the other hand, the violence is almost cartoony. The bodies disappear in a cloud of red mist almost immediately. Another factor is the level of difficulty. This thing will separate the men from the boys quick, fast and in a hurry. The first level will kill you, and do it multiple times.
Kid Factor by Colleen Hannon
This review edited by Michael Anderson Comments? Chat about it in our forums! Format For Printing | Tell A Friend | Digg | Slashdot | del.icio.us | Buy This Game Home > Review Archive > Video Games > Results: Ninja Gaiden Sigma |
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