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Ninja Gaiden Sigma > Ninja Gaiden, true or false?
Ah, perfection. Is it truly attainable? The pursuit of an answer has apparently become the obsession of Itagaki and his merry band of ninjas, who are currently polishing their third incarnation of Ninja Gaiden. Perhaps you're not seeing the "real" difference between PlayStation 3's Ninja Gaiden Sigma and the Xbox original in the embedded version above, but this video does give us some sense of the layers that have been added to the 2004 foundation. But is perfection through repetition a noble pursuit for Team Ninja? While most studios recycle their molds to churn out sequels, Team Ninja simply recycles the product of its mold to offer us more finely detailed versions of the same game, again and again. What is the meaning of this odd discipline?
Ninja Gaiden Sigma PS3 vs. XBox/360 comparison
We've actually scored an HD comparison of the PS3 title Ninja Gaiden Sigma with the original Ninja Gaiden on the XBox (in both 480i on the original XBox and the not-very-different simulated 720p on the 360). Obvious graphical advances aside, it's fairly obvious that the two games are completely, completely different as far as gaming experience goes. Sure, the moves may be familiar, the territory and enemy AI may not be that much different (how much further can one go than "really frickin' hard"?), but the experience of playing the game will be a world of different.
Ninja Gaiden Sigma motorcycle mayhem!
Yeah, we're taking a short break from European launch news. We know, we know, it's important and probably relevant, but no one wants to read solely that stuff all day. So, we're going to present you with this Ninja Gaiden: Sigma gameplay movie where our lovely ninja gets the crap beaten out of him by motorcycle-riding ninja... guys. It's a treat, so enjoy... if you're over 18!
Ninja Gaiden Sigma... stick it on your PS3
The latest PlayStation Magazine fell into my lap yesterday (well, my mailbox) and I perused it briefly. Seems there was some news on Ninja Gaiden Sigma and since we try to keep up with that game here, I'll post what appears important from the article. Resolution is slated at 720p at a constant 60fps. The SIXAXIS will be used to quickly summon up some Ninpou magic (that might actually be annoying... I hold the controller wonky, you see) Normally, there would be about 16 chapters in the game... Sigma is floating on 19. Finally, you get the option of storing the entire game (or parts of the game) directly onto the PS3 -- which would be great. Or you can do the whole disc-inserting thing. Whichever. Hooray for magazines! We'll stay on top of this thing, since it's shaping up to be a real killer title. Now, if only my camera and laptop would get along, I'd upload a scan of the article. Alas. Next time.
New Tecmo IP is in the works -- maybe Pirates instead of Ninjas?
With the impending release of Tecmo's Ninja Gaiden Sigma, a lot of people have left comments here saying thing along the lines of "rehash" and "milking a single game for all it's worth"... stuff along those lines. Well, today we're here to tell you not to worry! Tecmo's Team Ninja boss Tomonobu Itagaki has come out and said that an all new IP is in the works. No rehashes, no sequel... something completely unique and original. According to Itakgaki, the new game is a type of game he has never worked on before. He'll be announcing the title a little later on this year. Our vote? Pirates. Why? That epic struggle of Pirates vs. Ninjas has still yet to be resolved. If Team Ninja can create a fantastic game about the adventures of a badass pirate, the only logical thing to do after that is to pit the two titles against one another. Where do your loyalties lie? Be ye a pirate, or a ninja?
Ninja Gaiden Sigma screenshots and stuff, minus the stuff!
Just as a sort of teaser, there's not much going on today other than a game delay and a few posts we'll be doing about screenshots. Screenshots are an interesting topic only because of the debate they spawn over their authenticity -- gameplay or cinematic? Real-time or cut-scene? Game developers only spurn such argument on by adding "gameplay menus" to these screenshots -- sometimes these are tacked onto cinematics to give the illusion of something the final product simply can't deliver. Other times, it's really gameplay. The latter is, of course, much more rare. Rarer? Nah, that looks dumb. Anyway, I think the screenshot shown here is actual gameplay because of the clipping visible from the bow going into our lovely ninja's arm. Ever seen clipping in cinematics? Maybe last-gen cut-scenes. Back on topic, here are a fresh batch of Ninja Gaiden Sigma screenshots. It should be noted that the clan at Team Ninja rebuilt the graphics engine for this game on the PS3, so it may start to look a bit different from the prior installments on Microsoft's systems. The difficulty? It'll still be hard. How hard? This daring blogger will attest that, while difficult, it's not "controller-throwingly" difficult like a certain Devil May Cry 3. Still need to beat that one on "Normal"...
Rumor: Team Ninja working on DS game
During an interview with 1UP, Team Ninja's Tomonobu Itagaki implied that work on a DS action title is underway. He doesn't outright say that a Ninja Gaiden title is set to release on the platform, or a version of his incredible fighting franchise Dead or Alive is destined to be a part of DS gamers' lives (highly unlikely), but we'd like to believe that a Ninja Gaiden title is in the works. [Via DS-x2]
TGS videos attack! Pick your poison... or wine... whichever
A gameplay video of Coded Arms Assault is now available for your viewing pleasure. It looks all right. It doesn't seem like too much of a separation from standard FPS titles, but it's worth a look if you're an FPS junkie. There's also a gorgeous Ridge Racer 7 gameply video. It looks better than all right. Mostly awesome. Just look at that gorgeous car go around that gorgeous track... and rear-end that other car. It's pretty sweet. Also, a Ninja Gaiden Sigma trailer is up and running. If you guys were right, those who've played Ninja Gaiden Black won't see too much new here. But then again, maybe so. Let us know. Here's a gameplay video of Lair also. What can we say? Dragons, flying, destruction... it's something special, to be sure. Lastly, there's a gameplay video of Devil May Cry 4. Besides the fact the person playing it has no idea what he's doing (sorry, but it's true, unless the controls have changed completely), the game looks astoundingly good. Bias? Sure. But it does. If you mention the cape/sword clipping, that's true, but that in no way should detract from your enjoyment of the game. Anyway, we'll keep you informed of other game videos and other stuff as we get our news from the Joystiq staff that had the honor of being there.
Some Ninja Gaiden Sigma scans... that was fast!
Well, just as soon as we reported on Ninja Gaiden's roll onto the PS3, there are already a large portion of scans to check out. Granted, they're small. Granted, they're blurry. But this does point out a few things: the game seems further along than a "just announced" title. Unless, of course, the scans are not of gameplay (some clearly aren't, others are harder to discern). There have been conflicting reports that this game is either a) a whole new Ninja Gaiden chapter or b) a port of Ninja Gaiden Black with added content. It's been confirmed there is a Ninja Gaiden 2 in the works, but is this it? Only a true veteran of the previous games could know -- what say you, veteran ninja of awesome? Do any of these scans look overly familiar? Let us know!
Ninja Gaiden hacks its way onto the PS3
Dubbed Ninja Gaiden Sigma, the next installment of the Ninja Gaiden series is coming to the PS3. There's not too much known about it yet, but you'll probably get some play time (gameplay, we mean!) with the lusty Rachel, a scantly-clad female who has appeared in other Ninja Gaiden titles. The thing that haunts these games the most is the supposed difficulty -- meaning, it's very, very hard. Those who played the Xbox iterations can attest: the game was darn tough! The addition of Ninja Gaiden Black didn't help too much, but it gave Xbox owners a taste of Devil May Cry meets Shinobi minus stupid aggravating falling-into-a-pit deaths. If you tried Shinobi, you know what we mean. Well, if any details surface about this new title at the Tokyo Game Show, we'll bring it to you right away. [via Joystiq]
Next Ninja Gaiden goes PS3
According to the latest issue of Famitsu (conveyed by CVG), the next installment of Ninja Gaiden is PlayStation 3-bound. Entitled Ninja Gaiden Sigma, the game will let you play as Rachel from Ninja Gaiden Black. Although a drunken Tomonobu Itagaki revealed in early July that Ninja Gaiden 2 is in the works, there is no confirmation that this is the same project. As CVG hypothesizes, the title could be a remake of Ninja Gaiden Black with some bonus content and spiffier visuals. There is no indication that Sigma will be exclusive to Sony's console. In recent years, Itagaki has focused exclusively on Microsoft's console. Is this a sign of a waning relationship between Microsoft and Team Ninja, or is the house that Dead or Alive built hoping to attract a larger Japanese following (if you didn't know, gamers in the Land of the Rising Sun hate freedom shun Microsoft consoles like the Black Death). Famitsu lists no release date for the project; we'll let you know if any more details should spill at the Tokyo Games Show.
Speculating on the Virtual Console [Update 1]
Play-Nintendo has a "reliable list" (yeah, we know how those are) of games that are rumored to be on the Virtual Console. But it looks reasonable, and in fact, some of the titles are already confirmed by various sources. Their list is packed with classic titles, and some of them (oh, Castlevania, how we love you) are expected but still exciting, and others many of us still play on lazy Sunday afternoons (Ocarina of Time, anyone?) If this list turns out to be the real deal, we may have to take some extended breaks from our actual Wii games. A fanboy's life is full of difficult choices. Play-Nintendo also reports that their "source" confirmed five brand new games for the Virtual Console, but they couldn't reveal the details. We'll see. What are you dying to see? Frankly, we think Super Mario Bros. 3 is a necessity, if only because we know there'd be videos everywhere of fanboys reenacting scenes from The Wizard. If you could add any three games to this list, what would you choose? Full list after the jump.
Tecmo gears up for virtual console
We've all known that Nintendo would be periodically releasing their own first-party games in the Virtual Console, but details have been surprisingly scarce regarding third-parties jumping on board. We know big names like Sega and Hudson would be giving gamers a taste of their illustrious pasts, but who else? Well, add another to the list, because according to a recent financial report, Tecmo will be aggressively supporting the VC.Perhaps best known (on Nintendo systems, anyway) for their superlative Tecmo Bowl and Ninja Gaiden trilogies, the addition of these games will provide yet another added boost for Nintendo's library. Although recent Tecmo titles have shown up on other systems, we'll get to experience the wonderful roots from which they came.[via Joystiq]
What brand of ninja do you prefer?
I'm sure a lot of you have got to be psyched to download the Ninja Gaiden: Hurricane Pack Vol. 1 next Monday, and if not, you probably aren't an Xbox Live subscriber. But if this has somehow slipped under your radar, it is going to be the single most spectacular download in the history of Live. Yes, it's that good. We're talking: new camera, new game engine, new enemies, new weapons, and of course these two new costumes. I'd have to agree with Hilary over at IGN, I'm sort of feeling that "evil Spider-Man vibe" myself.
Ninja Gaiden Hurricane Pack: "Greatest. Download. Ever."
A few days back we featured some news on the upcoming Hurricane Pack Vol. 1 download for Ninja Gaiden, and now a few lucky reviewers have gotten a test run. Incidentally it blew at least one reviewer's mind, despite kicking his @$$. Hilary Goldstein of IGN raves, "Best damn download in the history of mankind." Although he does warn this download is NOT for newbies-we're talking seasoned veterans only. Think of it as a present (it's free!) from Team Ninja for all of your hard work, but expect even more this time around... Use the links below to check out a couple early impressions.
Ninja Gaiden: Hurricane Pack download
If you weren't impressed with what the Master Ninja Tournament had to offer, or just weren't up for the hours of 'training' needed to compete, Tomonobu Itagaki, Gaiden's creator, recently announced the arrival of the Hurricane Pack Vol. 1 August 2. Excited yet? Well, this latest download packs quite a punch. It will feature new weapons, new costumes, new enemies (complete with a revamped AI system), an "action engine" (which will make gameplay even faster), and for all you haters, a brand new camera. And it's all free?! Now are you excited? Check out the link to IGN's Q&A with Itagaki.
