surf dtoid with 
Rising (10+)
People you follow
You didn't mention anywhere in your review the MASSIVE texture overhaul the game received. I suggest you look at some comparison screenshots; the PS3 version looks like a new game.
Too bad they got rid of the insane gore and added in TITTY JIGGLES -_- I would buy this game otherwise if it wasn't for the stupid fucking gimmick of titty jigglin' while skimping on gore. IT'S A FUCKING NINJA GAME, I DO NOT WANT TITTIE IN NINJA GAME! Fuck, Uncharted 2 has more blood then this damn game. If I get one, I'll get the 360 original, that's for sure.
review also did not mention the improved camera. I know quite a few people that passed it up on the 360 because of the horrible camera. it would be worth mentioning for ps3 owners looking at the game but have heard of the 360 version's camera problems.
Yep. Removing the gore was a fucking stupid decision, and i can only hope for a patch to fix this nonsense. They decided to tone it town as a matter of "taste," but then added boob jiggle? Seriously?
The gore in the 360 version was great, but i ended up selling the game to buy NG Sigma 1, which was awesome and more satisfying gore-wise than NG sigma II. The PS3 versions both look alot better - the 1080P @ 60fps is a huge boost, especially with such a fast pace as NG, but the gore might actually kill it for me. Thats not to say im obsessed with gore... its just, which is more distracting: huge amounts of blood, as one would expect when you cut someones arm off, or stupid spurts of multicolored fairy dust?
The gore in the 360 version was great, but i ended up selling the game to buy NG Sigma 1, which was awesome and more satisfying gore-wise than NG sigma II. The PS3 versions both look alot better - the 1080P @ 60fps is a huge boost, especially with such a fast pace as NG, but the gore might actually kill it for me. Thats not to say im obsessed with gore... its just, which is more distracting: huge amounts of blood, as one would expect when you cut someones arm off, or stupid spurts of multicolored fairy dust?
I really hope they patch the gore back in. I don't own a 360 so having this just come out for the PS3 was a buy for me. So far I'm having fun but it does feel slightly shallow. Seriously on the cutting of the blood and adding of the jiggles part, ridiculous.
NG1 didn't support 1080p (it didn't support 1080i either). So if you were watching it in 1080p, it was a 720p image scaled by your tv.
@Carl Sagan - I agree with you, I don't know how this could be considered a fair review when he doesn't even mention a pretty major visual upgrade from the X360 version. I dont wanna say "bias" but this is Jim were talkin' about here, so I'll say it anyway, Bias!
Oh yeah Tecmo, you are making the game so fucking classy by removing blood and adding jiggling boob physics. FAIL!
So the ONLY reason it may not be quite as good as the 360 version is because of the lack of gore? Ok... whatever
I'd heard that the 360 version had a lot of problems with the camera. Did they fix that at all? If not, I'll just get the 360 version if I ever feel the need to play this. I love me some gore, and if I want wanking material there are better options.
whatever dude...more of jim's bullshit ps3 game reviews. I have this game on the 360, and I was actually gonna buy it again for the ps3 because of the IMPROVEMENTS such as camera, graphics, more levels to play, etc that jim of course did not mention because its a game for the ps3. Dude, as a proud owner of both systems, your shit is getting old, seriously
I just watched the gametrailers review after reading this one, much better. In my opinion, if you aren't gonna do a complete review, don't do one at all.
I must be the only person here that don't care they removed the blood.
Sure, it packs well with a violent Ninja story, but I'm buying this game interested in the gameplay and the co-op.
Sure, it packs well with a violent Ninja story, but I'm buying this game interested in the gameplay and the co-op.
i like jim he is up front about issues but i have to say you want gore wait for god of war 3 because they didnt want gore in this version plus i think the game looked better without blood covering everything in sight, red attracts attention that could end up distracting me in game. like in wet the red levels are awesome but my eyes get sore from just that snippet in the demo.
Half the art style of this game dependedon you coating half the screen in gore, similar to no more heroes. It won't be the same without it.
This game is at least an 8 in my book. It's leaps and bounds better than God of War in terms of action, and it improves on the already good Ninja Gaiden II.
@Loophole
I agree! In terms of the difficulty, Ninja Gaiden II was VERY cheap: as in, I died a heap of times. However, in Sigma II, I haven't died yet (almost halfway through the game). They added a SHIT ton of nuances into the game to make it easier (free weapon upgrades!). Sigma II is the most accessible iteration yet.
@DaedHead8
If money is not an issue, EASILY Sigma II. It has about twice the replay value of any past NG iteration, and is tweaked very well.
@Pedro
You're right: the full game doesn't have a better camera, despite the fact that they said it would be fixed from the 360 original.
I agree! In terms of the difficulty, Ninja Gaiden II was VERY cheap: as in, I died a heap of times. However, in Sigma II, I haven't died yet (almost halfway through the game). They added a SHIT ton of nuances into the game to make it easier (free weapon upgrades!). Sigma II is the most accessible iteration yet.
@DaedHead8
If money is not an issue, EASILY Sigma II. It has about twice the replay value of any past NG iteration, and is tweaked very well.
@Pedro
You're right: the full game doesn't have a better camera, despite the fact that they said it would be fixed from the 360 original.
Based on my experience with the original NG2 (really enjoyed it) and the demo of Sigma 2, this review sounds fairly spot on. I think a fair comparison might be Mortal Kombat on Super Nintendo compared to the Genesis version, where the game was the same, sans blood, which was the whole underlying characterization of the game.
Some people criticizing here seem bothered that the game is merely as good as the original version, with some changes. $60 is a big price to justify if you have both systems and NG2 is available for $20 brand new on 360. If you only have a PS3 though? Grab it, you'll love it.
Some people criticizing here seem bothered that the game is merely as good as the original version, with some changes. $60 is a big price to justify if you have both systems and NG2 is available for $20 brand new on 360. If you only have a PS3 though? Grab it, you'll love it.
Never thought I would see the day when the removal of blood would outweigh 3 more playable characters , better graphics, and a co op mode. The 360 version got an 8 this got a 7.5. Yeah whatever.....
Jim generally got the right idea with the review but didn't mention anything about silly minutiae like higher-resolution textures because of BLU RAY so this review gets a fail. Thus the anti-bias anti-Jim brigade has spoke.
Fuck sake's guys. Really? Really? He even says it looks stunning, is that not good enough? Does he have to proclaim every fucking PS3 game to be the second coming and the one reason to burn your Xbox 360, Wii or anything non-PS3 before you're satisfied?
Don't answer, because I have the answer for you. The answer is: No. You don't want to be satisfied. Because you already are satisfied in twisted everything into some kind of Anti-PS3/Anti-Jim shitfest. It's some bizarre physiological need to fulfill a lacking ego or ... something.
It's like you people are only happy if you're angry. Are you so invested in a piece of electronics or a video game franchise that if anything that isn't glowing praise can only be viewed as outright slander? Do you really have that little in your lives or have you just not experienced enough of your life to realize how pathetic this is.
Whatever. Who cares. I wish I didn't and that's all I know for sure.
Good night and good luck.
Fuck sake's guys. Really? Really? He even says it looks stunning, is that not good enough? Does he have to proclaim every fucking PS3 game to be the second coming and the one reason to burn your Xbox 360, Wii or anything non-PS3 before you're satisfied?
Don't answer, because I have the answer for you. The answer is: No. You don't want to be satisfied. Because you already are satisfied in twisted everything into some kind of Anti-PS3/Anti-Jim shitfest. It's some bizarre physiological need to fulfill a lacking ego or ... something.
It's like you people are only happy if you're angry. Are you so invested in a piece of electronics or a video game franchise that if anything that isn't glowing praise can only be viewed as outright slander? Do you really have that little in your lives or have you just not experienced enough of your life to realize how pathetic this is.
Whatever. Who cares. I wish I didn't and that's all I know for sure.
Good night and good luck.
@Gestault
"Mortal Kombat on Super Nintendo compared to the Genesis version, where the game was the same, sans blood, which was the whole underlying characterization of the game."
This misconception HAS to end guys! Did you ever play Ninja Gaiden 1? It was the ORIGINAL series iteration, and it did not contain excess blood. As a result, the gameplay was more clean, and the screen was less cluttered.
How in the world are you people (not just Jim) saying things like "without blood this game fails". Are you completely snubbing the fact that Itagi himself did not have blood in the original?
The original Ninja Gaiden (Xbox) WAS better than 2: I don't think anyone will debate that, both critically and commercially. So when Tecmo decides to return to its roots, with the artistic style of the original version, somehow commenters think that it's completely forsaking Ninja Gaiden's "essence". News flash: Ninja Gaiden II (360) was the game that did the abandoning.
"Mortal Kombat on Super Nintendo compared to the Genesis version, where the game was the same, sans blood, which was the whole underlying characterization of the game."
This misconception HAS to end guys! Did you ever play Ninja Gaiden 1? It was the ORIGINAL series iteration, and it did not contain excess blood. As a result, the gameplay was more clean, and the screen was less cluttered.
How in the world are you people (not just Jim) saying things like "without blood this game fails". Are you completely snubbing the fact that Itagi himself did not have blood in the original?
The original Ninja Gaiden (Xbox) WAS better than 2: I don't think anyone will debate that, both critically and commercially. So when Tecmo decides to return to its roots, with the artistic style of the original version, somehow commenters think that it's completely forsaking Ninja Gaiden's "essence". News flash: Ninja Gaiden II (360) was the game that did the abandoning.
He isn't saying lack of blood out weighs all that, he is saying if you already have the 360 version you don't really "need" to get this version because you aren't missing anything major. Frankly I find Ninja Gaiden 2 (both versions) lack luster compared to Ninja Gaiden 1 on Xbox regardless. All either of these two games have on it is graphics.
I think criticisms which I've heard from new owners should be pointed out:
Long range weapons ruin pacing, and unlimited ammo takes away the balance the game needs. The difficulty tone-down takes away from the game's inherent structure. Bloodless gameplay feels empty and takes away a lot of the "reward" in gameplay (again, think SNES MK). Bonus characters (Rachel, looking your way) still play awkwardly. Online coop has played laggy for the three people I know who picked it up. This is a $60 release, when an arguably comparably version has been out for a year and costs $20. The video record mode has been removed.
Jim said the game is still very good, but there were positives in the original which still hold true. I don't see how that's a terrible review. He says specifically that if you only have access to a PS3, you will really enjoy the game.
Long range weapons ruin pacing, and unlimited ammo takes away the balance the game needs. The difficulty tone-down takes away from the game's inherent structure. Bloodless gameplay feels empty and takes away a lot of the "reward" in gameplay (again, think SNES MK). Bonus characters (Rachel, looking your way) still play awkwardly. Online coop has played laggy for the three people I know who picked it up. This is a $60 release, when an arguably comparably version has been out for a year and costs $20. The video record mode has been removed.
Jim said the game is still very good, but there were positives in the original which still hold true. I don't see how that's a terrible review. He says specifically that if you only have access to a PS3, you will really enjoy the game.
....So many people complaining over a review. If you like it, just buy it. No need to decry a man's assessment of the game.
The trouble is, a few people are just trying to turn this into yet another Xbox 360 vs. PS3 thing again. People are fucking pathetic.
I read in the Gamefaqs forums that the 360 version didn't have the button where you can have the camera jump immediately behind Ryu with the shoulder button. If the 360 didn't have that, then that's the only thing the PS3 version added in regards to the camera. Still feels limited mostly though.
I just got it today purely out of my enjoyment of the demo. The exclusion of the blood is really a non-issue. The original was gory to a point of self-parody.
JIM HAS A BIAS AGAINST SONY! HE HATES EVERYTHING ON PLAYSTATION WHICH IS WHY THIS GAME SCORED LOWER THAN THE XBOX VERSION THE DICK.
Seriously, it's his opinion people. If he doesn't like the game as much as you do, and it's that big of a deal, write your own damn review.
Seriously, it's his opinion people. If he doesn't like the game as much as you do, and it's that big of a deal, write your own damn review.
"Long range weapons ruin pacing, and unlimited ammo takes away the balance the game needs."
It makes the game less frustrating, and more fun. Having to run and search for ammo during a tense boss fight completely ruined the fights themselves. Do you remember the worm tunnel fight? Having to constantly find ammo over and over again wrecked that encounter. Also, you failed to mention that the long range weapon system has actually improved by allowing you to move whilst aiming (which should have always been the case).
"The difficulty tone-down takes away from the game's inherent structure."
No, it doesn't. Play on a higher difficulty, and you'll find that Sigma 2 is leaps and bounds better than its 360 predecessor in terms of "cheap difficulty".
"Bloodless gameplay feels empty and takes away a lot of the "reward" in gameplay (again, think SNES MK)."
See what Ninja Gaiden 1 thinks about that: people didn't complain about it then.
"Bonus characters (Rachel, looking your way) still play awkwardly. Online coop has played laggy for the three people I know who picked it up."
You're right about Rachel, but Momiji and Ayane are just fine, and feel different enough on their own: I also had a bit of lag, but no more than 2 .05 second spikes.
I completely respect Jim's opinion, and people that are ragging on him as a person really need to take a step back, and realize that its an opinion (people that seem to think other people cannot possibly have a different opinion also need to take a step back).
I will however, address the criticism you just presented, after admitting you do not have the game (going off "three people you know"). I don't think its fair to the prospective buyers to not hear the whole story, if possible.
It makes the game less frustrating, and more fun. Having to run and search for ammo during a tense boss fight completely ruined the fights themselves. Do you remember the worm tunnel fight? Having to constantly find ammo over and over again wrecked that encounter. Also, you failed to mention that the long range weapon system has actually improved by allowing you to move whilst aiming (which should have always been the case).
"The difficulty tone-down takes away from the game's inherent structure."
No, it doesn't. Play on a higher difficulty, and you'll find that Sigma 2 is leaps and bounds better than its 360 predecessor in terms of "cheap difficulty".
"Bloodless gameplay feels empty and takes away a lot of the "reward" in gameplay (again, think SNES MK)."
See what Ninja Gaiden 1 thinks about that: people didn't complain about it then.
"Bonus characters (Rachel, looking your way) still play awkwardly. Online coop has played laggy for the three people I know who picked it up."
You're right about Rachel, but Momiji and Ayane are just fine, and feel different enough on their own: I also had a bit of lag, but no more than 2 .05 second spikes.
I completely respect Jim's opinion, and people that are ragging on him as a person really need to take a step back, and realize that its an opinion (people that seem to think other people cannot possibly have a different opinion also need to take a step back).
I will however, address the criticism you just presented, after admitting you do not have the game (going off "three people you know"). I don't think its fair to the prospective buyers to not hear the whole story, if possible.
Owning both, I can't help but feel that all the stuff added to and removed through Sigma make it less of a game. They made a handful of really small tweaks that really fuck up the hardcore players (me).
-Enemies take way more hits than they used to, and the rate of losing limbs is severely lowered. Enemies on Warrior difficulty will survive an ultimate technique and multiple full combos without losing a single limb only to pitifully fall over.
-The game is much easier with enemies that are far less aggressive, even on higher difficulties. The explosive shuriken ninjas now only show up a few at a time, and only throw 1-2 shuriken at a time.
-The new bosses are the same boring GIANT <THING> we've seen before: hit their hands and they die.
-The new weapon, Enma's Fang, is the same weapon we didn't miss from NG1 (Dabilahro). Only now it has fewer, and less interesting, moves.
-Some higher levels moves are available at lower levels (lvl 1 Dragon Sword can do Izuna Drop, Vig. Flail now has Izuna Drop), and certain weapons are found in different places (Vig. Flail at beginning of level 3 instead of level 9).
-Only certain Muramasa statues can upgrade weapons, and although it's now free, each statue can only upgrade 1 weapon. Basically, if it has a blue flam, upgrade a weapon, if it has a red flame, ignore it because the game is so easy you'll be constantly stocked on gear.
-You now have unlimited projectile ammo, but they do less damage and can no longer be charged. A new control scheme maps your projectile weapon to R2 and shurikens remain the Circle button. Holding L2 no longer looks around in first-person, but lets you aim, and you can move.
---
With all this in mind, I can't help but think, "What if Sigma was the one to come out a year ago and NG2 came out today?" It would go something like this:
-Removed multiplayer and team missions, but added survival arenas woven into story which give you stuff.
-Tons and tons and tons of blood added.
-Enemies take less damage and lose limbs faster but are much more aggressive. Explosive Shuriken ninjas throw 5-10 shurikens at a time, and fight in groups of 4-8.
-You can charge projectile weapons, but now have limited ammo. No aiming while moving.
-You can upgrade whatever you want whenever you want, but it costs a whole lot.
---
NG2 on 360 is much harder and much more demanding. As a fanboy I'll play Sigma 2 plenty, but NG2 is going to stay on top, just like I hold NG Black over Sigma. Playing so far I almost feel like I can literally tell that Itagaki is gone. They really fucked with his formula.
All that aside, Jim's review is pretty much right. My only sidenote is if you've never played NG2, Sigma is easier and less violent and the co-op is kindof fun but simplistic. If you've played (and especially if you really enjoy) the 360 version, stick with that.
-Enemies take way more hits than they used to, and the rate of losing limbs is severely lowered. Enemies on Warrior difficulty will survive an ultimate technique and multiple full combos without losing a single limb only to pitifully fall over.
-The game is much easier with enemies that are far less aggressive, even on higher difficulties. The explosive shuriken ninjas now only show up a few at a time, and only throw 1-2 shuriken at a time.
-The new bosses are the same boring GIANT <THING> we've seen before: hit their hands and they die.
-The new weapon, Enma's Fang, is the same weapon we didn't miss from NG1 (Dabilahro). Only now it has fewer, and less interesting, moves.
-Some higher levels moves are available at lower levels (lvl 1 Dragon Sword can do Izuna Drop, Vig. Flail now has Izuna Drop), and certain weapons are found in different places (Vig. Flail at beginning of level 3 instead of level 9).
-Only certain Muramasa statues can upgrade weapons, and although it's now free, each statue can only upgrade 1 weapon. Basically, if it has a blue flam, upgrade a weapon, if it has a red flame, ignore it because the game is so easy you'll be constantly stocked on gear.
-You now have unlimited projectile ammo, but they do less damage and can no longer be charged. A new control scheme maps your projectile weapon to R2 and shurikens remain the Circle button. Holding L2 no longer looks around in first-person, but lets you aim, and you can move.
---
With all this in mind, I can't help but think, "What if Sigma was the one to come out a year ago and NG2 came out today?" It would go something like this:
-Removed multiplayer and team missions, but added survival arenas woven into story which give you stuff.
-Tons and tons and tons of blood added.
-Enemies take less damage and lose limbs faster but are much more aggressive. Explosive Shuriken ninjas throw 5-10 shurikens at a time, and fight in groups of 4-8.
-You can charge projectile weapons, but now have limited ammo. No aiming while moving.
-You can upgrade whatever you want whenever you want, but it costs a whole lot.
---
NG2 on 360 is much harder and much more demanding. As a fanboy I'll play Sigma 2 plenty, but NG2 is going to stay on top, just like I hold NG Black over Sigma. Playing so far I almost feel like I can literally tell that Itagaki is gone. They really fucked with his formula.
All that aside, Jim's review is pretty much right. My only sidenote is if you've never played NG2, Sigma is easier and less violent and the co-op is kindof fun but simplistic. If you've played (and especially if you really enjoy) the 360 version, stick with that.
For anyone comparing this to Ninja Gaiden (on the Xbox orginal). That game was produced by Itagaki and his team - Ninja Gaiden 2 was produced by Itagaki and his team (therefore the violence was a progression of the same series). Sigma is produced by a different team - therefore the removal of the visceral bloodshed is actually against the intention of the original director.
As for 360 VS PS3 - the 360 version is cheaper - so when considering buying the PS3 version ask yourself if the changes/upgrades to the title are worth $30 - I would say no probably not but I'll pick up Sigma later for $20.
As for 360 VS PS3 - the 360 version is cheaper - so when considering buying the PS3 version ask yourself if the changes/upgrades to the title are worth $30 - I would say no probably not but I'll pick up Sigma later for $20.
I was thinking of picking this up when I finally get around to buying a PS3, but from the sound of it I shan't bother given I've played the 360 version already and it doesn't sound like enough has really been added to justify dropping another £40 on what is essentually the same game. I can forgive the blood thing since the NG/DOA universe is one where a 16 year old girl with purple hair and EE-cup breasts is the most powerful being on the planet, so replacing blood with purple light just fits in, but it sounds like they've made more changes to the graphics (blood issue/textures) than they have to the actual gameplay (which I thought was a bit gimped anyway; the first NG did it better).
Blacklash93: Yeah, it didn't seem like a big deal when I was playing with a brand new character who fights with little knives, but Ryu's execution attacks are really lacking without the blood spraying everywhere.
@KaL
"herefore the removal of the visceral bloodshed is actually against the intention of the original director."
Itagaki had one game without bloodshed (1), and one game with it (2). How are we to know what he would have eventually wanted in Sigma II: would he have taken the bloodshed out in hindsight?
All we have to go off of is the fact that it wasn't in the original incarnation of the game, despite how many people think that 1 never existed. While I won't say it is for sure what he have wanted, to say it "betrays" the series' roots is ludicrous.
"herefore the removal of the visceral bloodshed is actually against the intention of the original director."
Itagaki had one game without bloodshed (1), and one game with it (2). How are we to know what he would have eventually wanted in Sigma II: would he have taken the bloodshed out in hindsight?
All we have to go off of is the fact that it wasn't in the original incarnation of the game, despite how many people think that 1 never existed. While I won't say it is for sure what he have wanted, to say it "betrays" the series' roots is ludicrous.
I agree the fanboyism crap is old Jim, but it's a reasonable question for people to ask which version people would recommend. I think you answered that in your article, it's just too bad most people won't answer in such a reasonable manner.
That said, why do you even comment on the retardedness of those people? Ad nauseum I might add? If you're big into discussion... well, some people have asked some reasonable questions or brought up reasonable points about the game that they may be counting on you as the reviewer to address. Instead of pointing out, once again, the idiocy of the fanatic, why don't you take that time and spend it on reasonable conversation with reasonable people asking reasonable questions?
That said, why do you even comment on the retardedness of those people? Ad nauseum I might add? If you're big into discussion... well, some people have asked some reasonable questions or brought up reasonable points about the game that they may be counting on you as the reviewer to address. Instead of pointing out, once again, the idiocy of the fanatic, why don't you take that time and spend it on reasonable conversation with reasonable people asking reasonable questions?
follow
