I got to swing by Tecmo yesterday to get some hands-on impressions of Ninja Gaiden 2 Sigma, the PS3 version of 2008's Xbox 360 title. As with the previous Sigma title, NG2S will come with new features, which includes extra characters, weapons and stages.

I got some hands-on time with the game, took brand new character Ayane out for a test drive, and got to learn a lot more about this enhanced PlayStation 3 title. You know the score by now -- hit that jump for the full hands-on impressions.

In case you didn't know, Ninja Gaiden 2 Sigma will come with three new unlockable characters -- Ninja Gaiden's Rachel, Dead or Alive's Ayane and NG Dragon Sword's Momiji. You'll be pleased to know that they adhere to the Tecmo code and have huge, big wobbly boobs. It just wouldn't be a Tecmo game without them.

You'll also be pleased to know that Sigma has plenty of blood, despite complaints that the game had been way too toned down since the Xbox 360 release. Ayane may lack the devastating melee prowess of Ryu, but she can still lop off arms, legs and heads with the best of them, spilling more than enough blood on the dusty ground. Gore fans ought to be satiated. 

The game also continues the franchise's commitment to being balls-hard. I got through the demo level, but it was tough going, with my health wavering dangerously close to "one more hit and I'm dead" territory. Playing with Ayane is much more graceful than with Ryu, and she has a far more distinctive flow to her attacks. She fights with two daggers and has a very fast style. It also looks incredibly cool to see her jump on an enemy's shoulders and then send his head flying from its neck with a quick cross-slice of her blades. 

There were a few things I didn't see, but they sound pretty interesting. Online co-op will be a part of the game, including full voice chat, for ten special stages. There will be an online ranking system as well, for those that care about such competitive shenanigans. Each character will also have their own unlockable weapons, and there will be a host of new enemies too, with variable AI.

Ninja Gaiden 2 Sigma seems to be coming along really well, and should give PS3 fans something that has been worth waiting for. The game ships in Fall 2009, so be sure to keep an eye on it.