Still, these instances felt like replacements to the intricately combative thrills found in the previous titles. The passable level design that did more than enough to push events and gameplay forward in Sigma 1 and 2 has been replaced with mindless and unmemorable setpieces.Īdditionally, there is the presence of quick-time cinematic events that are pretty damn cool visually. The difficulty the Ninja Gaiden franchise is identified with is still present in Razor’s Edge, though some elements are stripped away. I found myself growing frustrated and bored, and that could certainly be my own fault for diving in with erroneous expectations. The dull environments and colors didn’t help matters either. Enemies upon enemies jumped out like clockwork, and at times was akin to a lite-Musou than a carefully scrutinized action title. While I would not consider it to be a significant downgrade, it felt like a spam-fest of inputs. Razor’s Edge was a mixed experience for me. Whether it be due to the wildly different tone and atmosphere, or other such factors, this third entry did not grab me in quite the same mesmerizing frenzy as the first two games did. Unfortunately, Ninja Gaiden 3 Razor’s Edge is where I began to fall off from the joyride. Swift action is my forte, and these games excel in those endeavors tenfold. That being said, both Sigma 1 and 2 were absolutely addicting experiences that I could not get enough of. I found myself having a tougher time in the first entry, but as a result of that, the gameplay felt more gratifying. However, a potential expense of this is the lack of pronounced accomplishment and satisfaction that Sigma 1 provided. Some may disagree, but Sigma 2 felt more approachable. While the difficulty came off as lessened, the smoother movements from Ryu went a long way into making gameplay addicting. Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 felt like it checked all the right boxes from what worked in 1 and upped the ante. Death is constantly in the cards, and overreliance on healing items will do little to improve your skills as you progress. The depth of these mechanics is both a blessing and a curse, but playing comes with patience. I recommend honing in on one combo or move at a time and then gradually incorporating it into your overall playstyle. Fire, for instance, does a stellar job of decimating singular foes.Īll of these mechanics are overwhelming if considered in conjunction with one another, especially for those not used to action games. Ryu can also use Ninpo, which are essentially spells with their own unique uses. Wall-running and attacking from the air can be a saving grace. The environment plays a crucial role, too, by forcing players to be mindful of Ryu’s dexterous capabilities. I’d argue the first title is where this shines the brightest, as I found myself checking area maps far more frequently here than in the other titles.īouts against enemies are more than simply dodging at the right times and spamming attacks. Despite this, the presence of well-hidden treasure chests and pathways make progression more than a mindless affair in some cases. Stages throughout these titles are fairly linear, with collectibles like healing items and Golden Scarabs coating the environments. While I would not describe Ryu as heavy or tank-like, it comes off that way when comparing his moveset to the second and third games, where his actions were smoother. Aside from swinging weapons, simply moving has a weightiness to it. When first playing, it becomes clear that each action has momentum accompanying it, and careless spamming will lead to death. The first entry, Ninja Gaiden Sigma, is understandably where new players may find the most difficulty. The collection consists of intensive action titles with a collectively clear focus on timing, situational awareness, and paying mind to one’s toolkit. One does not need to pay attention to the plots to derive delight from the trilogy’s centerpiece, the combat. Not to worry, though, because for as cutscene-heavy as these titles can come across, the story is far from the primary selling point here. This efficacy will obviously vary from player to player, but I would advise not to expect attachment to the narratives. Still, I can’t deny that the lack of screen time for secondary characters and the general plots themselves weren’t as prominent as I’d like. The characterization of Ryu was enough of an enticing strength for me to at least pay attention. I enjoyed these scenes as I have a history with Ninja Gaiden Sigma and Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2. The quality of the cutscenes is evocative of the early 2010s, so expect some awkward exchanges and stilted deliveries. In each entry, the narrative, not only in the first title but in the trilogy, is hit or miss. This kickstarts the plot and builds tension by not revealing too much. In the opening, Ryu visits his uncle Murai, who is informed of a raid occurring on his village.
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