Ninja Gaiden Sigma is a difficult video game

[Randolph]

Yes it is. I just started back playing this, and honestly, it's kicking my teeth in. I just spent about thirty minutes trying to beat Mr. Fat Energy Gun Guy, who is a bad man. By the time I was about to snap, having declined to abandon the way of the ninja for ultimate fucking pussy mode several dozen times, I killed him in less than thirty concentrated seconds of fighting. Which got me all pumped up just in time to get reamed a few times in the streets by the grab happy guards and those god forsaken dick eating exploding shuriken ninja. (I declined ultimate pussy mode, again, and decided to take a breather) I like this game, but I do not think the game shares the sentiment. This game should get more credit, really, I think it still stands as one of the better games in the PS3 lineup.

[Dkittels]

I had... over 100 hours logged into that version of the game... and was pretty high on the leaderboards... and only had to beat the Hurricane Pack 2 mission (which I hadn't beaten on Black yet either THANKS FOR TAKING MY INTERCEPT MOVE TEAM NINJA BARRRRRF)...

...and then my save got erased when my PS3 got fixed.

:(

I am really really sad about this.

Fantastic game, it's actually the only PS3 game I own, and I even bought the pretty unnecessary DLC. It's a game I played almost weekly, before my PS3 had to get fixed.

[HALO COMBAT EVOLVED]

Ninja Gaiden, whatever iteration you're talking about, is a glorious game.

They never should have offered the 'easy' mode; if you're not man enough to enjoy it's awesomeness, too bad.

That said, the first time I played Ninja Gaiden Murai kicked my ass at least five times before I beat him, and he's the first fucking boss :|

[DJ_Lae]

I've only ever played it through in the original's 'normal' mode. Does Sigma had an easier one?

And Ryan, the first time I played, Murai kicked my ass a few times too.

[Alidar]

I've only ever played it through in the original's 'normal' mode. Does Sigma had an easier one?

And Ryan, the first time I played, Murai kicked my ass a few times too.

Black and Sigma have a "this game is too hard and I don't want to be a ninja anymore" mode that you can switch to when you die a handful of times in a row.

[HALO COMBAT EVOLVED]

I've only ever played it through in the original's 'normal' mode. Does Sigma had an easier one?

And Ryan, the first time I played, Murai kicked my ass a few times too.

I'm sure he kicked everyone's ass at least a few times. Part of the reason the game is so hard is that you're not really given ANY instruction until AFTER you beat Murai, and even then you're left to figure out 90% of the combat for yourself.

Once you DO figure it out, though, the game just makes PERFECT sense, and then you spend the next few levels perfecting everything, and by the end of the game you're an unstoppable badass, and you FEEL badass because you figured it out all on your own.

[faits]

Is Murai substantially harder in the original version than in sigma? Also is he the retard who is all buddy buddy with you after you've killed all his underlings and kicked him in the ass? Because that guy didn't give me any trouble in sigma and I am not very good at ninja gaiden.

[Torrim]

I think once the game "clicks" the brick wall of a learning curve isn't as big of a deal anymore. But until you reach that point, the game fucking sucks sometimes.

[Alidar]

I don't know, the ghost of that greater demon guy sucked ass despite being late in the game. I so hated him.

[Randolph]

I don't know, the ghost of that greater demon guy sucked ass despite being late in the game. I so hated him.

Doku. You actually fight him three times in Sigma, as they turned the movie of him creaming Ryu into an actual (nigh impossible) fight. I have a save right before it so I can try again.

[Alidar]

I don't know, the ghost of that greater demon guy sucked ass despite being late in the game. I so hated him.

Doku. You actually fight him three times in Sigma, as they turned the movie of him creaming Ryu into an actual (nigh impossible) fight. I have a save right before it so I can try again.

Yeah, but the first one you're "supposed" to die, so toughness doesn't matter to me much. It was his ghost form that I simply hated with a passion. Almost as much as that one golden scarab I missed and couldn't go back to get. Stupid bugs.

[HALO COMBAT EVOLVED]

Is Murai substantially harder in the original version than in sigma? Also is he the retard who is all buddy buddy with you after you've killed all his underlings and kicked him in the ass? Because that guy didn't give me any trouble in sigma and I am not very good at ninja gaiden.

I'm sure they rebalanced that fight for Sigma and Black, because I guarantee you 90% of the people who quit the game early on did so because he was so fucking tough.

[Systems_id]

First time I played through Sigma I breezed right through it. Played it on hard and I still didn't have too much trouble, although I think they toned down hard from Black since I could barely get past the Monastery in that version. Very Hard is whooping me though, as I'm currently stuck on that mothereffer Gamov. Also, the second Alma boss fight is one of the cheapest boss fights ever.

[Dkittels]

First time I played through Sigma I breezed right through it. Played it on hard and I still didn't have too much trouble, although I think they toned down hard from Black since I could barely get past the Monastery in that version. Very Hard is whooping me though, as I'm currently stuck on that mothereffer Gamov. Also, the second Alma boss fight is one of the cheapest boss fights ever.

To this day I have a harder time with the first Alma fight than I do with any of the other fights, save Nicchae and Ishtaros. The second Alma I can generally score a knockdown and some guaranteed damage once she takes to the ground and charges. Going after Alma's first form (for me) generally involves trying to knock her down with flying swallows, and every time I do it it feels like a gamble.

[Maverick]

Is Murai substantially harder in the original version than in sigma? Also is he the retard who is all buddy buddy with you after you've killed all his underlings and kicked him in the ass? Because that guy didn't give me any trouble in sigma and I am not very good at ninja gaiden.

I'm sure they rebalanced that fight for Sigma and Black, because I guarantee you 90% of the people who quit the game early on did so because he was so fucking tough.
I quit early on because of Level 3 and the brown ninjas on top of that church or whatever. I just can't beat 'em.

[HALO COMBAT EVOLVED]

Is Murai substantially harder in the original version than in sigma? Also is he the retard who is all buddy buddy with you after you've killed all his underlings and kicked him in the ass? Because that guy didn't give me any trouble in sigma and I am not very good at ninja gaiden.

I'm sure they rebalanced that fight for Sigma and Black, because I guarantee you 90% of the people who quit the game early on did so because he was so fucking tough.
I quit early on because of Level 3 and the brown ninjas on top of that church or whatever. I just can't beat 'em.

The spider ninjas are tough until you realize two things: NEVER roll-dodge more than once in a row (if you do they will ALWAYS tag you with exploding shuriken) and ONLY counter them, but only when not being pelted with exploding shuriken.

Do that, and you'll own the hell out of them.

*awaits D's critical "yeah you're KINDA right but here's a much simpler way" analysis*

[DJ_Lae]

I use a lot of jump slashes on those brown fuckers. Or whatever the move's called where you run up a wall and slam down with your heavy attack. They don't seem to be able to block that one particularly well.

[Dkittels]

*awaits D's critical "yeah you're KINDA right but here's a much simpler way" analysis*

Izuna Drop and On Landing Ultimate Technique. After you find an opening to get one guy in the air for an Izuna Drop, the battle should be over!

[HALO COMBAT EVOLVED]

Is Murai substantially harder in the original version than in sigma? Also is he the retard who is all buddy buddy with you after you've killed all his underlings and kicked him in the ass? Because that guy didn't give me any trouble in sigma and I am not very good at ninja gaiden.

I'm sure they rebalanced that fight for Sigma and Black, because I guarantee you 90% of the people who quit the game early on did so because he was so fucking tough.
I quit early on because of Level 3 and the brown ninjas on top of that church or whatever. I just can't beat 'em.

The spider ninjas are tough until you realize two things: NEVER roll-dodge more than once in a row (if you do they will ALWAYS tag you with exploding shuriken) and ONLY counter them, but only when not being pelted with exploding shuriken.

Do that, and you'll own the hell out of them.

*awaits D's critical "yeah you're KINDA right but here's a much simpler way" analysis*

In fact, facing the spider ninjas basically TEACHES you how to play the game re: it teaches you that you can't just be offensive and that you have to be patient, learn enemy patterns where they exist and such. If you can best the spider ninjas, you can beat the game.

So long as you get past Alma; in ANY iteration she's just a bitch. In many ways she is the greatest and the worst boss fight in history.

[HALO COMBAT EVOLVED]

*awaits D's critical "yeah you're KINDA right but here's a much simpler way" analysis*

Izuna Drop and On Landing Ultimate Technique. After you find an opening to get one guy in the air for an Izuna Drop, the battle should be over!

You and your fucking Izuna Drops. Most people are going to miss picking up the scroll in Tairon first time through, and by the time they can afford to buy it from Masamura, they shouldn't need it.

I may not be a Ninja Gaiden genius, but I know that preaching Izuna Drop as a means of getting past Tairon At Night is not the way to go http://www.kittiesandrainbows.com/images/smilies/custom_smilies/ramon.jpg

[Dkittels]

*awaits D's critical "yeah you're KINDA right but here's a much simpler way" analysis*

Izuna Drop and On Landing Ultimate Technique. After you find an opening to get one guy in the air for an Izuna Drop, the battle should be over!

You and your fucking Izuna Drops. Most people are going to miss picking up the scroll in Tairon first time through, and by the time they can afford to buy it from Masamura, they shouldn't need it.

I may not be a Ninja Gaiden genius, but I know that preaching Izuna Drop as a means of getting past Tairon At Night is not the way to go http://www.kittiesandrainbows.com/images/smilies/custom_smilies/ramon.jpg

Sheeeeeeeeesh if you want to address fighting the dang things without Izuna Drop specifically that is a thing. Though to be fair I don't think you can even get Izuna Drop on Chapter 2 Normal in Sigma, but I don't remember well (I only played Sigma on Normal once).

Either way the point is to kill at least 1 ninja, at which point you can use OL UTs to take out anyone else -- their heads come off real easy. If they're giving you that many problems, use Fire Wheel ninpo to knock the guys down, flying swallow -> hold strong attacks to kill at least 1 dude, and then use the essence for UTs to take out the rest.

[Maverick]

I don't know if I got that move or not.

I only have the original Xbox release, but this thread has convinced me to give it another go at some point soon. (Not immediately, because I hate changing discs out of things. I want a game system with a disc changer.)

[duxup]

I liked Ninja Gaiden on the NES... I skipped the recent incarnations as viscously difficult isn't quite what I'm often looking for in a game. One day I'll try these as a rental.

[Shifty Pete]

I liked Ninja Gaiden on the NES... I skipped the recent incarnations as viscously difficult isn't quite what I'm often looking for in a game. Hruh? You say you don't like punishing difficulty, but play the NES NG? Careful there, Dux... that kind of contradictory statement is the kind of thing that makes robots' heads explode.

[duxup]

I liked Ninja Gaiden on the NES... I skipped the recent incarnations as viscously difficult isn't quite what I'm often looking for in a game. Hruh? You say you don't like punishing difficulty, but play the NES NG? Careful there, Dux... that kind of contradictory statement is the kind of thing that makes robots' heads explode.

Well I played it on the NES, but that doesn't mean I'd play it again. Well I would but just out of nostalgia not because I'm looking to get violated. It was a difficult NES game but from people's description (as I said I haven't played them) the recent games are WAY difficult.

[Dkittels]

I don't know if I got that move or not.

I only have the original Xbox release, but this thread has convinced me to give it another go at some point soon. (Not immediately, because I hate changing discs out of things. I want a game system with a disc changer.)

Just do an awesome move and get Black on XBox Originals. No disc changing needed and you get a much improved version of the game.

TAH~DAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

[Maverick]

I don't know if I got that move or not.

I only have the original Xbox release, but this thread has convinced me to give it another go at some point soon. (Not immediately, because I hate changing discs out of things. I want a game system with a disc changer.)

Just do an awesome move and get Black on XBox Originals. No disc changing needed and you get a much improved version of the game.

TAH~DAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
But then I have to buy it. I am trying to budget.

[Baroque-Legacy]

I liked Ninja Gaiden on the NES... I skipped the recent incarnations as viscously difficult isn't quite what I'm often looking for in a game. Hruh? You say you don't like punishing difficulty, but play the NES NG? Careful there, Dux... that kind of contradictory statement is the kind of thing that makes robots' heads explode.

Reminds me of our Ninja Gaiden Drinking game. The 10 of us made it to 4-2, right? Anyway.....

Sigma is indeed a challenging game. In some respects, , more so than the other versions, yet the difficulty curve has been smoothed out from previous versions, as well as damage ratios, canceling, and combo branches. If only for the camera.................................

[Dkittels]

I don't know if I got that move or not.

I only have the original Xbox release, but this thread has convinced me to give it another go at some point soon. (Not immediately, because I hate changing discs out of things. I want a game system with a disc changer.)

Just do an awesome move and get Black on XBox Originals. No disc changing needed and you get a much improved version of the game.

TAH~DAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
But then I have to buy it. I am trying to budget.

Well then you better budget....

... in $15 to play THE GREATEST XBOX GAME EVAR.

[HALO COMBAT EVOLVED]

I don't know if I got that move or not.

I only have the original Xbox release, but this thread has convinced me to give it another go at some point soon. (Not immediately, because I hate changing discs out of things. I want a game system with a disc changer.)

Just do an awesome move and get Black on XBox Originals. No disc changing needed and you get a much improved version of the game.

TAH~DAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
But then I have to buy it. I am trying to budget.

Well then you better budget....

... in $15 to play THE GREATEST XBOX GAME EVAR.

Halo 2 is on XBLA Originals!? :o

[Maverick]

I don't know if I got that move or not.

I only have the original Xbox release, but this thread has convinced me to give it another go at some point soon. (Not immediately, because I hate changing discs out of things. I want a game system with a disc changer.)

Just do an awesome move and get Black on XBox Originals. No disc changing needed and you get a much improved version of the game.

TAH~DAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
But then I have to buy it. I am trying to budget.

Well then you better budget....

... in $15 to play THE GREATEST XBOX GAME EVAR.
Wouldn't it be better to play Sigma instead?

[Dkittels]

I don't know if I got that move or not.

I only have the original Xbox release, but this thread has convinced me to give it another go at some point soon. (Not immediately, because I hate changing discs out of things. I want a game system with a disc changer.)

Just do an awesome move and get Black on XBox Originals. No disc changing needed and you get a much improved version of the game.

TAH~DAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
But then I have to buy it. I am trying to budget.

Well then you better budget....

... in $15 to play THE GREATEST XBOX GAME EVAR.
Wouldn't it be better to play Sigma instead?

Well maybe but that game costs $60 compared to $15.

Harder to convince a guy trying to budget to spend $60.

[Randolph]

Sigma goes for $39 new at this point actually, Dustin. It's a fucking steal for one of, if not arguably THE, best games on the PS3.

[HALO COMBAT EVOLVED]

Sigma goes for $39 new at this point actually, Dustin. It's a fucking steal for one of, if not arguably THE, best games on the PS3.

I don't know if it's a commentary on how good Gaiden is or how shitty PS3 is that one of the system's 'killer apps' is a last gen port.

[Randolph]

I don't know if it's a commentary on how good Gaiden is or how shitty PS3 is that one of the system's 'killer apps' is a last gen port.

A little of both. RE4 is still one of the Wii's best all around games, and if Ninja Gaiden Sigma had seen a port to the 360, it would be in the top five. Sigma will remain arguably the best "exclusive" on the system until Metal Godly Solid 4.

[faits]

Sigma goes for $39 new at this point actually, Dustin. It's a fucking steal for one of, if not arguably THE, best games on the PS3.

I don't know if it's a commentary on how good Gaiden is or how shitty PS3 is that one of the system's 'killer apps' is a last gen port.
According to D Sigma is a little more than a PORT. To hear him talk they redid hell of assets in addition to the sort of tuning they also did between the first and black.

[HALO COMBAT EVOLVED]

Sigma goes for $39 new at this point actually, Dustin. It's a fucking steal for one of, if not arguably THE, best games on the PS3.

I don't know if it's a commentary on how good Gaiden is or how shitty PS3 is that one of the system's 'killer apps' is a last gen port.
According to D Sigma is a little more than a PORT. To hear him talk they redid hell of assets in addition to the sort of tuning they also did between the first and black.

When you get right down to it, the game IS a port. A REALLY well done port, but a port.

[faits]

I've got some pretty strong feeling re: vomiting up basically the same game four time across three platforms (and the wisdom in buying every version), and I've argued with D about it a lot. But really if what he said is true (and if I am remembering the conversation right) it seems more like a remake than a simple port. Which is semantics, but remake more accurately conveys the effort that went into vomiting the same game onto a third platform.

[HALO COMBAT EVOLVED]

I've got some pretty strong feeling re: vomiting up basically the same game four time across three platforms (and the wisdom in buying every version), and I've argued with D about it a lot. But really if what he said is true (and if I am remembering the conversation right) it seems more like a remake than a simple port. Which is semantics, but remake more accurately conveys the effort that went into vomiting the same game onto a third platform.

Sigma is about as much of a 'remake' as Subsistence. In both cases there were some fundamental changes made that gave the game a very 'fresh' feeling, but at the end of it, it's still the same game.

[faits]

I've got some pretty strong feeling re: vomiting up basically the same game four time across three platforms (and the wisdom in buying every version), and I've argued with D about it a lot. But really if what he said is true (and if I am remembering the conversation right) it seems more like a remake than a simple port. Which is semantics, but remake more accurately conveys the effort that went into vomiting the same game onto a third platform.

Sigma is about as much of a 'remake' as Subsistence. In both cases there were some fundamental changes made that gave the game a very 'fresh' feeling, but at the end of it, it's still the same game.
I'm not familiar AT ALL with the MGS games and their iterations (which I have similar issues with that endless tweaking as I do with NG) so I can't disagree with that. Sigma is a game that is basically the same game but with custom-made art assets as a result of being made for a next-generation system, in addition to the other tweaks and etc.

Ok I lied because I'm familiar with twin snakes, since it's the only MGS I've ever seen played (and it looked SO FUCKING BORING watching D play it which is why I've never played one and don't really feel like it.) And I'd qualify that as a remake, just from my limited knowledge of it and the original.

[HALO COMBAT EVOLVED]

I've got some pretty strong feeling re: vomiting up basically the same game four time across three platforms (and the wisdom in buying every version), and I've argued with D about it a lot. But really if what he said is true (and if I am remembering the conversation right) it seems more like a remake than a simple port. Which is semantics, but remake more accurately conveys the effort that went into vomiting the same game onto a third platform.

Sigma is about as much of a 'remake' as Subsistence. In both cases there were some fundamental changes made that gave the game a very 'fresh' feeling, but at the end of it, it's still the same game.
I'm not familiar AT ALL with the MGS games and their iterations (which I have similar issues with that endless tweaking as I do with NG) so I can't disagree with that. Sigma is a game that is basically the same game but with custom-made art assets as a result of being made for a next-generation system, in addition to the other tweaks and etc.

Ok I lied because I'm familiar with twin snakes, since it's the only MGS I've ever seen played (and it looked SO FUCKING BORING watching D play it which is why I've never played one and don't really feel like it.) And I'd qualify that as a remake, just from my limited knowledge of it and the original.

That's incredibly different though, given that almost every single thing about Twin Snakes was redone. All the voice acting, all the cutscenes, the gameplay, environments, AI, sound, and it was a remake of a (then) 6 year old game.

I'm not trying to knock Sigma, I don't think it's a BAD thing to call it a port, I'm just saying that it is one.

[Randolph]

I don't think it'll ever be settled whether or not Sigma is classed as a port or a remake. I mean, yeah, alot of the core material is the same, but the Rachel missions slammed right into the middle of the main story, (with their own boss fights, GODDAMN Gamov is a bitch) the damn near completely redone airship... if it's not a remake, it's definitely a re-imagining. Or some such thing. But it has enough fundamental differences and further tuning that I'm willing to give the PS3 some bragging rights in regards to having this game. Though no one bought it, and assured NG2 stays on the Box. Of course if Itagaki's number two sweet talks him again, he may be allowed to oversee NG2 Sigma for the PS4 in five years. That may or may not be changed by just how large the sales lead is when PS3 surpasses the X360 in userbase, and whether or not the software sales gap closes, or people just keep buying Blu Rays for it and using Yellow Dog Linux to pirate games.

[Dkittels]

I don't think it'll ever be settled whether or not Sigma is classed as a port or a remake. I mean, yeah, alot of the core material is the same, but the Rachel missions slammed right into the middle of the main story, (with their own boss fights, GODDAMN Gamov is a bitch) the damn near completely redone airship... if it's not a remake, it's definitely a re-imagining. Or some such thing. But it has enough fundamental differences and further tuning that I'm willing to give the PS3 some bragging rights in regards to having this game. Though no one bought it, and assured NG2 stays on the Box. Of course if Itagaki's number two sweet talks him again, he may be allowed to oversee NG2 Sigma for the PS4 in five years. That may or may not be changed by just how large the sales lead is when PS3 surpasses the X360 in userbase, and whether or not the software sales gap closes, or people just keep buying Blu Rays for it and using Yellow Dog Linux to pirate games.

I feel I've dumped enough hours into this franchise where I can comment on it with confidence, but ultimately whether or not you consider Sigma a remake or a port depends on your own personal definitions.

Really, I feel that Ninja Gaiden Black was the bigger step forward for the franchise. The original release of NG was a great game, but Black was like a version 2 release of the game that fixed many of its glaring issues. To the casual observer Black was just a rerelease of the first game that included the content added from the two (free) Hurricane Packs, plus some "missions" for the mission mode, but there was more going on than that. Certain exploits were covered up, the most obvious being how easy it was to abuse the Flying Swallow in the original NG release. Regardless, if you ignore the Hurricane Packs, NG: B was a MGS3-Subsistence-Level refocusing of the original game.

NG:Sigma doesn't mess too much more with the established formula but does make a couple of standout additions, those being the tweaking of level designs (something left alone between NG and NG:Black) and the addition of some content (exemplified by a few level extensions, a new weapon and Rachel as a playable character). Outside of the level rearranges, I consider most of the other additions window dressing, although Dragon Claw/Tiger Fang was an excellent addition to the game's weapon repertoire. Rachel was a fun enough addition, and I totally dug her unique playstyle, but ultimately she was underutilized. I actually bought the NG:Sigma DLC just to play as Rachel more, because her levels in main game and what few missions she has in the mission mode aren't nearly enough.

In the end I have kept all my versions of NG. The original Ninja Gaiden release ist he only one with the unlockable original trilogy plus the Intercept move. NG:B is the only release with the arcade game unlockable, as well as featuring some superficial extras like costumes that never made it into Sigma. While Sigma of course is arguably the most refined version of the game, some argue that the addition of Rachel as a playable character is a distraction.

Utlimately, I don't feel any of the three versions qualify as a "remake", anymore than I feel that Street Fighter 2 Hyper Fighting was a remake of Street Fighter 2. They are refinements, and I'm glad they exist, but anally distinguishing the real nuances between them is territory best left to the obsessive fans -- any of the versions will do (though I think picking up the original version of Ninja Gaiden is a poor choice at this point, natch). Of course having all three versions is more or less only for the NG hardcore. Honestly, to anyone who just wants the best playing version of the game, I say go for Sigma. If you don't have a PS3, get Black on XBox360's Originals... for the most part it still has Sigma's most important features.

[HALO COMBAT EVOLVED]

That may or may not be changed by just how large the sales lead is when PS3 surpasses the X360 in userbase

:|

[Alidar]

Though no one bought it, and assured NG2 stays on the Box.

Actually, if you look back at it, I think it's likely that it never even came to that. Before the release Tecmo said that if the game sold well enough, they'll strongly consider making NG2 a multi-platform release. When that happened, MS showed up at their door with a few money bags and asked if they could publish the game. From the sounds of things, this didn't happen after Sigma was released, but before.

MS had two notable exclusives on the first Xbox, Halo and NG. Seeing the exclusivity of one in doubt just didn't seem to sit well with them.

[Torrim]

I tried putting the game in my 360 yesterday and NGB does nothing but skip on the cutscenes and eventually freeze randomly. Turns out my disc was kind of dirty but the cutscenes still skip. Not to mention I got my ass beat when I did get anywhere. I've lost my touch :(

[Randolph]

That may or may not be changed by just how large the sales lead is when PS3 surpasses the X360 in userbase

:|

:neutral:

What? A console gaining an installed base lead over another is obviously a factor a developer should take into consideration when deciding to do exclusive games, or spread the love. As the PS3 is 100% assured to overtake the X360 due to PS3 selling so much better worldwide at some point, it will be a factor in the future for people to consider. Some kind of NG2 Sigma port becomes more likely all else be damned when that happens.

[HALO COMBAT EVOLVED]

That may or may not be changed by just how large the sales lead is when PS3 surpasses the X360 in userbase

:|

:neutral:

What? A console gaining an installed base lead over another is obviously a factor a developer should take into consideration when deciding to do exclusive games, or spread the love. As the PS3 is 100% assured to overtake the X360 due to PS3 selling so much better worldwide at some point, it will be a factor in the future for people to consider. Some kind of NG2 Sigma port becomes more likely all else be damned when that happens.

I don't think the PS3 is "100% assured" of taking over anything, let alone at a rate so fast that it matters.

[Randolph]

Following current sales trends worldwide, PS3 will pass the X360 (very late this year at best if you count just how many of the sold X360's are actually functional) sometime mid to late 2009 at latest. It's not a question of if anymore, it's when. X360 is kinda flat in the EU, is dead in Japan, and has been losing ground in North America, being outsold by PS3 even here the last two months straight. This is all before the PS3's big games hit this year, too. MS can't keep it's lead based on North American sales alone, and they only seem to get temporary bumps in the EU with price cuts. PS3 is doing good in three markets, (at a higher price, with less games, and a less robust online store) X360 is doing good in one. It's just inevitable at this rate that PS3 will surpass it, and well before the end of this gen. (unless MS pulls that four year stunt again, which I think would blow up in their face, frankly)

[Torrim]

Because if who was in the lead meant anything to Team Ninja, Ninja Gaiden and Black would have been on the PS2 instead of the XBox.

[Randolph]

Because if who was in the lead meant anything to Team Ninja, Ninja Gaiden and Black would have been on the PS2 instead of the XBox.

True to an extent, Ninja Gaiden would have been pretty difficult to pull off on PS2 though. Whereas Team Ninja claimed they think PS3 is easy to work on, and said people who say otherwise are pussies who make excuses for being a failure at life who should kill themselves to restore their lost honor and blaa bloo blaa typical TN bragging. Development costs are also so much higher these days that Tecmo would be more likely than ever to exert pressure on the subject if they felt two versions would be a better way to get their money back. I think if a "Sigma" of NG2 were done by the same TN guy, and Itagaki didn't have to dirty his hands on some FILTHY PS3 development kit, it could all go relatively smoothly. We'll see.

[HALO COMBAT EVOLVED]

Following current sales trends worldwide, PS3 will pass the X360 (very late this year at best if you count just how many of the sold X360's are actually functional) sometime mid to late 2009 at latest. It's not a question of if anymore, it's when. X360 is kinda flat in the EU, is dead in Japan, and has been losing ground in North America, being outsold by PS3 even here the last two months straight. This is all before the PS3's big games hit this year, too. MS can't keep it's lead based on North American sales alone, and they only seem to get temporary bumps in the EU with price cuts. PS3 is doing good in three markets, (at a higher price, with less games, and a less robust online store) X360 is doing good in one. It's just inevitable at this rate that PS3 will surpass it, and well before the end of this gen. (unless MS pulls that four year stunt again, which I think would blow up in their face, frankly)

Whatever you say, dude. I'm really not up for nitpicking opinion disguised as fact so I'll just I'll believe it when I see it.

[Alidar]

Because if who was in the lead meant anything to Team Ninja, Ninja Gaiden and Black would have been on the PS2 instead of the XBox.

True to an extent, Ninja Gaiden would have been pretty difficult to pull off on PS2 though. Whereas Team Ninja claimed they think PS3 is easy to work on, and said people who say otherwise are pussies who make excuses for being a failure at life who should kill themselves to restore their lost honor and blaa bloo blaa typical TN bragging. Development costs are also so much higher these days that Tecmo would be more likely than ever to exert pressure on the subject if they felt two versions would be a better way to get their money back. I think if a "Sigma" of NG2 were done by the same TN guy, and Itagaki didn't have to dirty his hands on some FILTHY PS3 development kit, it could all go relatively smoothly. We'll see.

The big problem this time around is that Tecmo isn't publishing NG2 - Microsoft itself is. And I don't think that Microsoft will green light an improved version for the PS3. Just a hunch.

[Dan]

If Sigma is such a big step up from Black, then why hasn't TN ported Sigma to the 360? I can't figure out why they would want to put the definitive version of a game on a console when the sequel to the original is almost certainly an exclusive on the 360.

Any conspiracy theorists out there think that MS wanted to make their money on Black on XBL Originals before they release Sigma on the 360 right before NG2 hits?

I haven't played any version other than the original, but I would have a hard time DLing Black when I know that Sigma is out there on the PS3 and NG2 is on the horizon.

[Dkittels]

If Sigma is such a big step up from Black, then why hasn't TN ported Sigma to the 360? I can't figure out why they would want to put the definitive version of a game on a console when the sequel to the original is almost certainly an exclusive on the 360.

Any conspiracy theorists out there think that MS wanted to make their money on Black on XBL Originals before they release Sigma on the 360 right before NG2 hits?

I haven't played any version other than the original, but I would have a hard time DLing Black when I know that Sigma is out there on the PS3 and NG2 is on the horizon.

Nah, Sigma isn't THAT much of a step up from Black. Frankly I think having Black and Sigma on the same platform would be a bit redundant, and I doubt most people would be interested in getting Sigma after buying Black at $15 so it probably wouldn't make too much business sense to port it, especially after NG2 hits.

I mean, NG2. NG2!!!!111