All apologies.
It would appear that Team Ninja has it in for PS3 gamers. Oringinally, we were told that there would be NO Ninja Gaiden games on the system. Then, Team Ninja quietly provided an improved version of the first know as "Sigma." Shortly afterward, a surprise simultaneous release of "Ninja Gaiden 2" was planned. It didn't happen. Again, we were told that Team Ninja would never release any more PS3 games. It now becomes apparent that they should have stuck to this plan.
Nearly 2 years after the argument began, we are presented with "Ninja Gaiden 2." Sort of.
What we have been given is a bizarre censored version that for some reason was given a "Mature" rating, although it contains the same level of "adult" content as most children's anime ; think "Dragon Ball Z" or "Pokemon". That's right, folks, Koei has wrapped it's ugly claws around Ryu Hayabusa.
The original "Ninja Gaiden 2" was essentially more of the same, which was a good thing. Gamers didn't get a precise Next-Gen Ninja Gaiden game, but more of a traditional sequel. The BEST part of the sequel, by far, was the Mortal Kombat level of realistic gore. It was a treat for gamers who love ultra-violent Japanese fair like "Lone Wolf and Cub" or "Samurai X". The gore and extra weapons made the game feel much rougher than "Ninja Gaiden" or it's re-dux "Sigma".
When I read that crudmeisters KOEI had merged with Tecmo, I cringed. One could predict a quality drop in Tecmo products. What I didn't predict was that KOEI would essentially censor a Mature Rated game down to a colorful anime worthy of a Teen rating.
There is essentially no gore in this game. Enemies that are supposed to be human spurt colorful, firework rainbows when decapitated. Their heads technically come off, I think, but they vanish into powder pink smoke, never to be seen again. In the orinigal version of this title, de-limbed ninjas would spout blood worthy of "Kill Bill" while crawling aftter Ryu, leaving footprints in blood. By pressing "triangle", the gamers could provide a vicious and ggleeful finishing move. It was honestly what made the game stand out, and provided some fun mom ents despite how hard the game really was.
If you have played "Dynasty Warriors" or any "Soul Caliber", you will immediately recognize the colorful Rainbow Brite sytle that has replaced the previous "Kill Bill" approached. When Ryu attacks, little tiny utlra red (almost pink) sparks fly around. Blue flashes fash. Purple smoke rises. Little fairies and elves dance from the place where an arms or head was. The wound that is left is a black patch. No red, no blood. There are a few small purplish splats on the ground, that look like someone spilled some Juicy Juice on the carpet last year.
In a bizarre attempt to make us feel better, the game offers three extra characters, each with tiny distraction sections in the game. Although Ayane from "Dead or Alive" is a fun character, all of the extra levels feel like an after thought. Similarly, the background design of some levels is wonderful, while many more are very drab and undetailed. Nobody has fixed that aspect of the original.
If you have not played or seen "Ninja Gaiden Sigma" or "Ninja Gaiden 2" in it's true form, you will like this game just fine. If this is the case, don't let yourself see "Ninja Gaiden 2". It will be like waking up in "The Matrix." After playing the REAL verison, you won't be able to play this. I tried very hard to look past the gore, to ignore the lack of improvements, and the sheer stupidity of the Playboy Bunny factor of this game. Couldn't do it.
Tomonobu Itagaki, the founder of Team Ninja and the creator of the re-boot of the Ninja Gaiden franchise, left the Team and Tecmo right after this project, cited financial and creative differences. I personally feel that he was disgusted at the neutering of his art by Pop Culture game makers at KOEI. Japanese culture frowns on disrespecting one's former employers, and Itagaki has been relatively quiet about the whole experience, provided neutral / pseudo positive comments about Team Ninja, which, by the way, has been basically split in half by his departure. Most of the best members have left with their leader.
To some it all up, "Sigma 2" is a sorry look at what could have been. Crisper graphics and big-boob scenery can't save this fame. Sorry Team Ninja...or should I say, Team Ninja Dogs. I am trading Ninja Gaiden Boo in for some nice Peekachoo action and a case of caffeine free Coke. I wouldn't want to get too excited.