Games Homepage
Best of 2006 | 2005
Advanced Search

PS3 | PS2 | PS One | PSP

Xbox 360 | Xbox

Wii | DS | GBA | Cube | N64

PC | N-Gage | Dreamcast

How Metascores Are Calculated
Discuss Games In Our Forums

Ninja Gaiden Sigma

8.4 based on 40 reviews Read critic reviews How did we calculate this? based on 32 votes Read user comments Rate this game

• GameFAQs

As Ryu Hayabusa you are out to seek revenge after your clan is massacred by the Vigor Empire. Realistic battle actions and acrobatic ninja moves are at your finger-tips. You play with only your wits, your ninja skills, and your deadly sword. Slice down opponents in the Vigor Empire as you attempt to beat the Holy Emperor and reclaim the magic sword "Ryuken". Bringing the classic to the PlayStation 3, Ninja Gaiden Sigma is a more "complete version" of the Xbox Team Ninja title, with new moves, actions, and weapons for Hayabusa. Also added is a new playable character -- Racheal, one of the series' heroines, will be playable, and when using her, you'll get to experience the storyline from her perspective (with new cutscenes, attack moves and more.) [Tecmo]

PUBLISHER:	Tecmo
DEVELOPER:	Team Ninja
GENRE(S):	Third-Person Action, Adventure
PLAYERS:	1
ESRB RATING:	M (Mature)
RELEASE DATE:	July 3, 2007

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

GameSpy

A strong case can be made for Ninja Gaiden being the greatest action game ever made. This is easily one of the best games to play on your PlayStation 3.

100

AceGamez

There is so much to discover, so much to see, so many enemies of all shapes and sizes to vanquish with dozens of stunning moves using an array of lethal hand-to-hand weapons, and it's all just so wonderfully satisfying and addictive.

95

GamePro

Ninja Gaiden Sigma is the best version released so far and that's saying a lot considering how awesome the other versions were.

95

GameZone

A brilliant retooled classic.

93

Console Gameworld

I think this is pretty much a no-brainer if you own a PS3. If you haven't played the game yet, then all the better. This is the best version by a landslide.

93

IGN

If you've never played Ninja Gaiden before, you should stand in line for this one.

92

Cheat Code Central

It's got satisfying gameplay, wonderful music, and some uber-amazing visuals. And you'll have lots of fun. I can almost guarantee it.

92

Gamer 2.0

For those of you who haven’t experienced this title in any of its iterations: now is as good a time as any to get with the program and play the game. You won’t regret it.

92

Worth Playing

It has nearly everything you could want from an action game: highly accurate controls, a plethora of well-designed enemies, smart AI, sharp visuals, a wide assortment of useful and unique weapons, brutally visceral combat, and, of course, ninjas.

92

Pelit (Finland)

An excellent action-adventure. The fighting system is very good, and brainless button smashers die quickly. However, how about a completely new adventure next time around? [Aug 2007]

92

DailyGame

Ninja Gaiden Sigma is by far the definitive version of the franchise, making Sony's PlayStation 3 the lucky beneficiary of this gorgeous, fast-paced -- and still difficult -- game.

91

GameTrailers

Proof that truly excellent games are timeless. The bump in visuals is nice, and the added content makes it worth playing even for those who have already achieved Ryu’s vengeance on the Xbox.

90

Extreme Gamer

Prepare for your senses to be overloaded in this ninjutsu epic.

90

Playstation 3 Advanced

Sigma is a must own for PS3 owners and anyone who likes to have a good bout of action.

90

PSM Magazine

A very frustrating experience, it's also a very rewarding one. [Aug 2007, p.80]

90

Jolt Online Gaming UK

It might no longer be the best in its field, but it’s still ready and waiting in the shadows, looking for the perfect opportunity to fly in, behead you and take your life orbs while you’re not looking.

90

TotalPlayStation

The crazy amount of depth afforded by Ryu's basic movesets, the stuff he gets from weapons and the things that are unlocked make the game so damned enjoyable that even when you're chucking the controller through a wall, you're itching to do it all again.

90

PSX Extreme

It's a visually stunning game running at a superb framerate, with super tight action. While the camera can be a nuisance sometimes and the English voice acting isn't fantastic, the sum of Sigma's parts add up to an experience that no action gamer should be without.

90

Games Radar

Getting your head around the combat is key to having a good time. Once mastered, you'll find an immersive action romp full of original challenges, incredible environments and interesting characters. This game might have been around for years, but the intensity of the gameplay has yet to be bettered.

90

Hardcore Gamer Magazine

It's a great game and worth a try if you're brave and/or a masochist. [July 2007, p.64]

90

Playstation Official Magazine UK

This is punishingly, mercilessly, remorselessly ferocious. You will never, ever finish it. Until you learn to block. [July 2007, p.98]

90

Game Informer

Even three years after its initial release, Ninja Gaiden still has the moves that inspire awe. [July 2007, p.97]

90

GameSpot

If you're a Ninja Gaiden enthusiast, you'll want to see the new chapters, reworked levels, and slicker graphics. And if for some reason you missed it before, this is a must-play game. The action is intense, focused, and certainly not for the faint of heart. It's also among the most satisfying in all of gaming and remains as awe-inspiring as ever, three years after its original release.

90

1UP

Even though genuinely new content doesn't exactly abound, Sigma remains such a solid, expansive, challenging, and well-paced thrill ride that you truly won't care.

90

PSW Magazine UK

An action game like no other. There are similarities with the awesome "God of War II," but if you consider that epic as an arcade experience, then Sigma falls somewhere in-between arcade and sim.

88

Play UK

The action in Sigma is the heart and soul of the experience, and it's still strong three years after its original release. [Issue#154, p.70]

87

Electronic Gaming Monthly

Genuinely new content doesn't abound, but Sigma remains such an expansive, challenging, and well-paced thrill ride that you won't care. [July 2007, p.84]

85

Play Magazine

Team Ninja oversold the sizzle, but this is still one hell of a steak. [July 2007, p.59]

85

Digital Entertainment News

It's a rock-solid action game that looks spectacular, but if ports like this are really the best the PS3 is offering I'm a little concerned about the system's future.

85

PALGN

Ninja Gaiden Sigma is the definitive modern Ninja Gaiden version and one of the top action games currently available.

83

Games Master UK

You may have seen it before. But never has it looked so good and contained so much. [Aug 2007, p.72]

82

My Gamer

Ninja Gaiden once again makes an amazing showing on another system, too bad the game was cursed with a full retail priced release.

80

Edge Magazine

Ninja Gaiden is as good as it ever was, and the visual improvements can’t be faulted. The minor redesign of some of the levels is generally irrelevant next to the meat of the game, however, and not worth the update in itself. [Aug 2007, p.90]

80

games(TM)

While Ninja Gaiden Sigma’s combat feels as fresh and vital as it did in 2004, its level design is starting to show its age. Certainly, trudging through the meandering streets of Tairon City is a considerable grind, leaving you begging for the next pack of ninjas to somersault into view. [Aug 2007, p.116]

80

Pro-G

There is no doubt that Ninja Gaiden Sigma is a fine example of the action game, but most who will want what is on offer here will have already been tempted by previous editions.

80

PSM3 Magazine UK

Rewarding, tight, polished, challenging, brutal and goreous. Excellent stuff. [Aug 2007, p.66]

80

GameDaily

It is without question one of the most intense experiences on a console. However, its faults (poor design choices, really) keep it from being triple A.

80

Yahoo! Games

At the end of the day, though, it's the same meal you've eaten before -- albeit with lots of garnish, a prettier server, and some extra helpings of dessert. Those are all great things if you're hungry, but don't do a whole lot of good if you're already feeling a bit full from Ninja Gaiden's cooking.

76

Ferrago

This is a good game, unquestionably, but I want more and have come to expect more, it is as simple as that.

70

EuroGamer

By no means the best the genre has to offer any more.

The average user rating for this game is 8.4 (out of 10) based on 32 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

j gg gave it a2:
Same game that was out on xbox 3 years ago!

Jeff A. gave it a10:
One of the best action games on any platform. You can play Ninja Gaiden Sigma for an hour and it feels like only 10 minutes has passed. If you own a PS3 you have got to add this steller game to your collection.

Mike R. gave it a9:
Ninjas are assassins. The game could have gone the Metal Gear Solid route and focused on stealth, but there are sufficiently other ninja-esque skills at work besides pleather wrappings. Acrobatic skills, tools of the trade (smoke bombs and shurikens) are all here. The game is difficult, but not impossible. The nods to Miyamoto Musashi are fun (not only the dual swords, but the wood sword -- Musashi's first dual was with a wood sword). There are mini-missions to unlock upon completing the game, as well as non-pleather costumes. I agree that some of Rachel's missions are distracting and take you out of your Ryu groove, but they tie her storyline into the overall narrative better than cut-scenes alone. This is a game you can come back to and play over-and-over, which is truly the difference between a BUY and a RENT.

Aramis G. gave it an8:
I've played all three versions of this game and beat the original and Black (still working on Sigma). Of course I love the game and it looks great...but something is off. The camera feels slower in this version and if you have played the game you know it is all about speed. Also, Rachael's added play feels tacked on and is a little, well unneccesary. Also, some of the atmosphere has been compensated with new annoying music. Overall, it is an awesome game, certainly not for wussies or people who don't have the time to learn how to conquer it, but it felt more polished on the xbox.

Alan gave it a9:
VERY difficult game, which is why it is so great. A breath of fresh air for the ps3, especially since the only other hack n' slash that is any good was untold legends.

Todd Murchison gave it a2:
I love my PS3, but I guess I'm still waiting for "Ratchet & Clank Future Tools of Distruction" for a game to play (not counting some of the excellent, but small download only releases). I rented "Ninja Gaiden Sigma" and I'm glad I elected to "test drive" it before investing in a purchase. It would appear that I fall into the camp of people who think this game is too hard to be fun. I could care less if people flame me for not being a "real gamer." I'm not interested in being "hard core." At the end of the day my plane, simple, honest goal is to have fun. Now, just so you know where I'm coming from, let me give you a little background. I am recently married, my wife and I recently bought a house, and we are expecting our first child due in a few weeks. My gaming time, once copious, is now limited to a few hours a week. I'm sure I'll have even less time when the kid arrives. This does not mean I don't still enjoy an involved game that takes dedication and persistence to progress through, but it does mean that I am not interested in spending my few precious gamming hours trying to beat the same difficult level boss over and over. The game does look fairly polished when played on a decent TV at 1080p. Aware of the general "difficulty" complaints I played through the first chapter, decided that for a first chapter it was a bit on the tricky side. So I Googled how to get the game into easy mode. This involved restarting the game back in chapter 1, but I didn't mind. Once I had the game in "prance around wearing pink" (aka easy) mode (you literally wear pink in this mode) chapter 1 did become boringly easy, so I thought this would resolve the problem for me. As a side note, the game is very insulting about going into easy mode. Your rank is called "Ninja Dog", you are forced to watch demeaning cut scenes in addition to wearing pink, and the game asks you 3 times if you are SURE you want to switch. And for the record, I completely approve. I actually like the whole idea in general of coming up with humorously insulting easy modes in games. Anyway, I digress. So there I am prancing about in my pink panties (I'm extrapolating) and I play to about half way through chapter 3. At this point I find that the game has becoming prohibitively difficult again - in easy mode! I would just like to point out that I'm fairly sure I could have completed the game, even in the default difficulty level. But I will reiterate: I am not interested in spending my gaming time trying the same difficult battles over and over again. I am also not the world's biggest fan of learning lengthy, complicated fighting combo button sequences. In general I think games should just offer a variety of difficulty options. It seems like an easy way to satisfy a wide range of gamers. Just slap a pink tutu on my character and let me enjoy the game in a more casual way. But the "easy" mode in "Ninja Gaiden Sigma" falls short (as does the game in general). I would also like to make it clear that even if the game had become easy enough in easy mode I still think I would have found it ONLY "playable" and not quite a game I'd want to spend $60.00 (or whatever the price is). I strongly recommend giving it a test drive as a rental first. Save the cash and use it to buy 5 or 6 really decent download only games instead.

Ian I. gave it a10:
To say that this game is epic is an understatement. To say that this game is the definitive version in every way is pointing out stone cold fact. The graphics on this game are AMAZING (I played in 1080p) but what of course makes this game what it is is the complete controll and split seccond timed fighting system. To the reviewer who called this game a "button masher" if you were mashing buttons than you compleatl fail at this game, doing so will acomplish nothing. this game is 100% about dodging a blocking so as to pull off split seccond combos to tear apart (often literally, there is soo much decapitation in this game its inasin) the enemy. Epic boss fights, and amazing gameplay, this game is a must own even more so than its predecessor. If you played in on original xbox its the same basic game, if you haven't, or like many wernt able to beat it, nows the time to take another swing at it.

Read more user comments...

Discuss this game in our forums