Milestone Interactive, distributor of games and services, has announced that they will be releasing three Tecmo Koei games in the Indian market.

These games are Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus, Dead or Alive 5 Plus and Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge, scheduled to release on 22^nd April 2013.

The first two games are for the PS Vita and will be available for Rs. 2,199. Meanwhile, Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge will be available on the PS3 and Xbox 360 and will also be priced at Rs. 2,199.

It was originally released on the Wii U and was announced for the PS3 and Xbox 360. It includes all downloadable content from the original title, as well as additional enhancements made to improve the game.

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus and Dead or Alive 5 Plus belong to the hack and slash and fighting genre and Vita’s d-pad will come in handy while playing these games.

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And while we saw games like Uncharted, ModNation Racers, Assassin’s Creed, and Call of Duty falter in the transition to Sony’s handheld, Sigma Plus made it through mostly unscathed. Sure, there were a few cutbacks, and of course there were a few compromises, but of course there would be some, it was a launch game, and the developers first time with the hardware.

So of course, Sigma Plus had a few drawbacks, but on the whole it was a great port of a great game, now available in full on the go. It was hoped that the inevitable Sigma 2 Plus would fix the few glaring flaws of Sigma Plus, and deliver the quintessential action game experience on the PS Vita.

With Sigma 2 Plus, that has unfortunately not happened. The flaws that plagued the original Sigma Plus are all here, and sometimes they are even more noticeable. Having said that, however, it does not change the fact that Sigma 2 Plus remains one of the most ambitious PS Vita games, one of the most thrilling and amazing ones, and flat out one of the most recommendable ones, simply because of how good the core game is.

For those not in the know, Sigma 2 Plus is the port of the PS3 port of the Xbox 360 original Ninja Gaiden 2. The sequel to the celebrated Xbox original was criticized for not living up to the impossible expectations set by Itagaki’s masterpiece, but was nonetheless an appreciated addition to the series.

Sigma 2 Plus, like the original game on which it is based, takes place a year after the first Ninja Gaiden game, and it involves Ryu Hayabusa, the series protagonist, looking into an attack by a mysterious rival ninja clan. The story is long and harrowing, but ultimately pointless. It serves as an excuse to take you from one locale to the next, fighting one wave of enemies to the next.

That fighting is thrilling in how precise, clinically lethal, and technically complex it is. The battle system of the original game has been preserved here with all of its nuances, and more importantly, the blood and the gore that define the series (and made the Xbox 360 version of the game much more superior to the PS3 port) are all here too.

Of course, it is worth noting the combat, good as it is, has not aged all that well, and there are times when what were initially lauded as some great enhancements now stand out as poor design decisions. Oftentimes, the game can feel outright cheap, especially because of its own inconsistency; the same move will have a different effect different times, and the enemies themselves seem to be relentless in their swarming to the point where it just feels like bad game design as opposed to real challenge.

The combat issues are exacerbated by the other issues the original game had, and which Sigma 2 Plus retains, such as a bad camera, some really poor and confining level design, overpowered moves from Ryu that can often clear off the entire screen at once, and so on. Add to all of these the issues that are specific to the Vita version- to get the game running on the hardware, the framerate has been cut from 60 FPS to 30 FPS, and it doesn’t even hold steady at that, often dipping to dangerously unplayable sub 20 FPS levels; the number of enemies on screen seem to be reduced, there are more jaggies everywhere, bad textures, more flickering and even what felt like pop ins- and you see that there are issues galore with Sigma 2 Plus, possibly more than the original Sigma Plus.

And yet you find yourself returning to it repeatedly. If you want to show your Vita off to friends, this is the game you use. If you want to recommend a good, deep game to your friend on the Vita, this is the game you recommend. That is because, in spite of all the issues that plague this game, both in general, and the ones that are specific to the Vita game, the strength of the core game is so good that it shines through. Like Metal Gear Solid 3D: Snake Eater, the 3DS port of the PS2 game that suffered from similar issues, the integrity of the core game design is what shines through here.

Ultimately, that’s the reason you should get Sigma 2 Plus. While there are issues, loads of them, the game itself is great to play; while it’s a pity that what could have been the definitive version of a good game has been so held back by so many unnecessary issues, the game itself is among the best on the platform right now. Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus is a cautionary tale against too much ambition, but in the end, it is that same ambition that makes this title stand out.

This game was reviewed on the Playstation Vita.

There hasn’t been any reason given as such but when EL33TOnline pinged PlayStation Europe on Twitter, they got the following reply:

@tom_el33tonline The digital version will be available this Wednesday

— PlayStation Europe (@PlayStationEU) March 4, 2013

So a little more patience, and you’ll be hacking up demons, shinobi and other monstrosities with the best of them.

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus will also feature a good range of content including multiple playable characters like Momiji, Ayane, Rachel and Sonia. That’s not including the new Ninja Race and Tag Mission modes, where you and a friend can team up for some serious ninja pummeling. Finally, there will be touchscreen controls and a new super easy Hero difficulty mode for those who still haven’t cleared the first stage.

Though a lot less violent and gory than the original Ninja Gaiden 2, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus will feature lots of additional content to go with its release. Players will be able to select additional characters including, but not limited to, Momiji, Ayane, Rachel and Sonia.

Aside from new touchscreen controls, there will also be a plethora of new modes like the super easy difficulty of Hero Mode; Ninja Race, where players will compete to finish a stage in the shortest time while fighting enemies; and Tag Mission, where two players can team up against enemies and utilize Dual Ninpo attacks.

It’s the sequel to Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus which was a launch title for the Playstation Vita.

The game features Ryu Hayabusa, a veteran ninja, who chops up enemies to take revenge on people who have wronged him and his clan.

Tomonobu Itagaki left Team Ninja after developing Ninja Gaiden 2, and Yosuke Hayashi, director of Ninja Gaiden Sigma, produced and directed NGS2. The Vita version of the game features some new content and functionalities but it’s not a drastic difference compared to the PS3 version.

Gore and Dismemberment are the same as the PS3 version. Ninja Gaiden 2 Xbox 360 version featured the most gory visuals.

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus was released in North America on February 26th 2013. It was released in Japan on February 28th while Europe got the game on March 1st.

• 1. Development
• 2. Gameplay
• 3. Story
• 4. Characters
• 5. Weapons

Development

The PS Vita port features a lot of new additions, Team Ninja has revealed. They said during reveal that it will feature some hardcore elements.

Game director Yosuke Hayashi of Team Ninja has called the Vita a powerful, competent device that has the ability to deliver console quality graphics in a short time.

They’ve already released the first Ninja Gaiden game on the Vita and while it was a good port, it was lacking in many aspects which they avoid with Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus.

“With the sequel we’re looking to add in some really good additional hardcore elements – things that people who really know the game and loved Sigma 2 will get into and enjoy,” he said. [reference]

They have cut down on the gore and dismemberment and it’s the same as the PS3 version, and will feature purple mist in place of blood. The reason for this is probably due to a deficiency in hardware memory, unlike the Xbox 360, which has more memory available. There’s no other explanation stated for reducing gore in the Vita version as well.

Graphically the PS Vita version doesn’t look that bad and is a perfect fit for a portable device. The controls like the first game are expected to be really smooth.

There are additional functions in the game and it uses the Vita’s functions like the touch screen. The game overall is not a completely changed and optimized port but it’s one of the best ones on the Vita.

Gameplay

Ninja Gaiden series is known for its lightening fast action gameplay and that’s what is present in the Vita version as well. The game holds the framerate comfortably and offers a good gameplay experience. It is primarily a hack and slash game with a variety of enemies and robots created just to stop you.

There are other ninjas as well that you will get to face as Ryu Hayabusa along with plenty of modes that will let you select any character and use their abilities and weapons.

You can pick up weapons that are dropped from enemies or use your own standard default ones and you get to use more of them as you defeat bosses or find them. The gameplay is quite similar to the PS3 version but you can use the touch controls in certain situations.

There are four difficulty modes available to you, namely: Path Of The Acolyte, Path Of The Warrior, Path Of The Mentor, and Path Of The Master Ninja.

The combat revolves over decapacitations and fast ninja combat that lets Ryu do a lot of damaging moves, and it also has a magic system called Ninpo, that you can acquire as you keep playing. To recharge your ninpo, you can absorb the essence dropped by enemies you defeat.

Story

The story doesn’t have a lot of additions in the Vita version and stays true to the console versions. You play as Ryu Hayabusa, a master ninja, who is out seeking revenge on people who have wronged him and his clan.

Here’s the official story: One year after Ninja Gaiden, master blacksmith Muramasa is setting up shop in Tokyo. A CIA agent named Sonia enters the place and asks for Ryu Hayabusa’s whereabouts, until members of the Black Spider Ninja Clan attack the shop and kidnap her.

Enter the Dragon Ninja Ryu, who fails to stop Sonia’s kidnapping and makes haste around the Tokyo skyscrapers and rescues the agent, who informs him of an attack on the Hayabusa Village by the Black Spider Ninjas, who wish to steal the Demon Statue they possess and protect.

Characters

Ryu Hayabusa: Ryu Hayabusa in the main protagonist of the game. Ryu has also appeared in various other games in cameo roles and has allegedly been the model upon which the Halo Hayabusa armour was designed.

Joe Hayabusa: The father of Ryu Hayabusa, Joe has returned from training in the sacred wilderness and resumed his duties as the leader of the Hayabusa Village.

Genshin: Overlord of the Black Spider Ninja Clan, Genshin’s lust for power is matched only by his hatred of the Dragon lineage. Hoping to gain an upper hand in the struggle for ninja superiority, Genshin enters into an uneasy allegiance with the Fiends. He will stop at nothing to destroy Ryu and put an end to their clans’ centuries-old feud once and for all.

Sonia: A CIA agent, Sonia is searching for Ryu to help her stop the Black Spider Ninja Clan from obtaining the Demon Statue, in possession of the Hayabusa Ninja Clan, to resurrect the Archfiend.Muramasa: A legendary blacksmith, Muramasa returns from Ninja Gaiden and Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword to aid Ryu by providing weapons, items and upgrades in person or via statues of himself.

Modes

Ninja Race mode: In the all new “Ninja Race” mode, a slow ninja is a dead ninja as players race through dynamic courses to beat the clock. After choosing a character, level, and costume, players can strategically choose to dash through the course or viciously kill as many enemies as possible to earn boosts and points.

The mode’s Combo Kill counter increases as foes are dispatched in sequence – the higher the counter, the more damage is dealt as long as the gauge stays filled. Three special essences, exclusive to the Ninja Race mode, boost the player’s chance of a successful mission: Green Essence adds time to the clock, White Essence boosts the Combo Kill counter for added damage, and Purple Essence grants Ninja Speed.

Tag Missions: Tag Missions provides an exciting new way to combine the complementary strengths of any two characters. Players can switch between team members in real time as they try to complete challenges, with the other team member under AI control.

With each fighter having different strengths and weaknesses, players can strategically tag back and forth when facing different opponents and situations by pressing down on the directional pad.

Weapons

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus contains a lot of weapons, and most of them are something that a ninja uses, and are designed really well too. You have to use the weapons in an intelligent way to dispatch groups of foes and sometimes some weapons don’t work on certain enemies.

There are many weapons ranging from claws to swords.

• Falcon’s Talons

• Dragon Sword

• Eclipse Scythe

• Tonfas

• Lunar Staff

• Dragon’s Claw

• Tiger’s Fang

• Kusarigama

• Vigoorian Flail

• Blade of the Archfiend.

There are also many projectiles available at your disposal.

The game also gives you a lot of magic for you to use: Art of the Inferno, Art of the Wind Blades, Art of the Flame Phoenix, and Art of the Piercing Void.

This wiki was last updated on 1st January, 2015.

We also get a look at alternative costumes for the three additional characters Ayane, Rachel and Momiji, along with what appear to be alternative versions of Ryu Hayabusa’s equipment.

The additional modes allow players to select any character they want, as they either rush to beat the clock and defeat the maximum number of enemies possible in Ninja Race, or team up to face off against foes in Tag Mission.

Of course, the latter will feature team-up magic attacks as well as the customary executions. Too bad the game will feature toned down blood and gore with no beheading.

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus is currently slated to release for PS Vita in North America and Europe on February 26th and March 1st respectively.

Team Ninja have posted a new launch trailer which showcases the game’s fluidity on the Playstation Vita, along with how the additional characters Momiji, Ayane and Rachel all play.

We also get our first look at the overall blood and gore of the game. Ninja Gaiden Sigma is infamous for editing out a lot of the gore and beheadings seen in the Xbox 360 versions of the same.

Unfortunately, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus goes for the same approach with minimal gore following even gruesome acts like dismemberment.

On the flip side, the additional modes Ninja Race and Tag Mission look fairly decent as players struggle to keep killing enemies in the former for a higher score and fight cooperatively in the latter…for what we assume to be more high scores.

Look out for Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus to release on February 26th in North America and March 1st in Europe.

Ninja Gaiden 2 originally released for the Xbox 360 and was ported to the Playstation 3 in as Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2. This was similar to its predecessor, and featured some brand new content such as toned down gore and additional bosses.

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus is the PS Vita port, and adds a few features of its own, not the least which includes Hero Mode for casual players, Ninja Race mode where you have to beat the clock and collect items and tag missions with additional characters like Ayane, Rachel, or Momiji.

Source: Siliconera

Read more at http://www.siliconera.com/2012/12/14/ninja-gaiden-sigma-2-plus-coming-to-north-america-on-february-26/#60BREompDlsKY519.99

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 is the PS3 port of Ninja Gaiden 2 for the Xbox 360, and adds in some new modes and extra content. Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus the PS Vita port of the same, and hopefully, Team Ninja decided to put the decapitations and ultra-violence governing the series back into play while keeping the improved visuals.

Along with new playable characters, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus will feature new modes to take advantage of them, including Tag Mission and Ninja Race. We’ll know for sure whether this is a new merit for the franchise or yet another low when the game releases next year.

Source: Siliconera

The game features bigger bosses, co-op play and more playable characters including series favourites like Ayane, Momiji and Rachel. They, along with protagonist Ryu Hayabusa, can be seen in a new batch of screenshots.

Hilariously, the PS3 version had most of its gore and dismemberment removed, which extended to the cutscenes and menu systems. We’re not too sure whether this will carry over into the PS Vita version, considering Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge added it all back in after a public backlash. No high hopes but it would go a long way to making the experience distinctly more Ninja Gaiden-esque.

As of now, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus has no fixed release date but will be coming out in 2013 for the Vita.