Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 will keep you on your toes with solid gameplay, stunning graphics and visuals.
Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 is the sequel to the first Ninja Gaiden Sigma on the PS3 back in 2007, but both Sigma games are a directors cut versions with added conent that weren't in the the original titles that were released on the Xbox and 360.
The plot for Ninja Gaiden 2 in general takes place one year after the events of the first Ninja Gaiden (2004), master blacksmith Muramasa is setting up shop in Tokyo. A CIA agent named Sonia enters the store and asks for Ryu Hayabusa's whereabouts, until members of the Black Spider Ninja Clan attack the shop and kidnap her. Ryu fails to stop Sonia's kidnapping and finds out there's been an attack on the Hayabusa Village by the Black Spider Ninjas, who wish to steal the Demon Statue they possess and protect.
Gameplay: Anyone who has played this on the Xbox 360 will notice a few changes in the Playstation 3. But the main gameplay is still the same as it was, using the Square for quick attacks and Triangle for strong attacks using your weapon. To be a Ninja you'll need to be light and quick but you will be running across water and wall jumping by tapping X, just like what Ninja's would do in general in movies.
You can also use Circle to fire shurikens at your enemies, or use Circle and Triangle for pulling off Ninpo/Sorcery which can do quite some damage at your enemies. But you may be using the L1 to block and dodge because the enemies that will appeaer won't stop attacking but depending what difficulty you play it on.
As you progress through the story you'll be able to upgrade your weapons if you pass by a Merchant stature where you can use souls whic you'll get for killing enemies to purchase items or strengthen your weapons. There are a lot of weapons throughout Sigma 2 you end up using the same three weapons over and over again. But however apart from playing as Ryu, you'll also be able to play as Ayane, Rachel and Momiji through certain chapters in the game.
Graphics and Sounds: I would admit the graphics look really for a port version of Ninja Gaiden II, most of the environments in the game are pretty stunning to look at from the Cherry Blossom's trees in Tokyo or the Stature of Liberity coming alive in New York on a rainy day; even the animation is stunning to watch as well.
But you'd be surprised how MB it takes when installing this on your PS3 which can take you about 3010 MB. However like the first Sigma game there is no Gore in the Playstation 3 version. Instead it's replaced with Purple mist now bursts from enemies, along with reduced blood splashes across.
The camera controls can be a pain in the neck at times, you can use the R1 to reset the camera but it can be quite annoying at certain parts of the game. Most of the english voice acting is pretty impressive meaning there's no option to switching to Japanese but there is no point on that one.
Overall: Anyone who is a fan of the series will enjoy Sigma 2 with a few features being added in and out. But if you are new to the series, I would suggest this game for it's difficlty if you are into hardcore games. There is trophie support but will require you to play this game more then 3-4 times in a row to achive 100%.
Multiplayer is also added where players can take on missions on defeating countless enemies and demons either with a computer problem or with the help of someone online to give you a hand. If your working as a team you'll also be able to pull off stronger attacks if you work as a team.
It might not be everyone's kind of game but offers solid gameplay and making you want to come back for more and keeping your ninja skills up to date.