Metascore
88 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 46 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 46
  2. Negative: 0 out of 46
  1. 90
    Even though genuinely new content doesn't exactly abound, Sigma remains such a solid, expansive, challenging, and well-paced thrill ride that you truly won't care.
  2. 100
    There is so much to discover, so much to see, so many enemies of all shapes and sizes to vanquish with dozens of stunning moves using an array of lethal hand-to-hand weapons, and it's all just so wonderfully satisfying and addictive.
  3. If you’ve never played Ninja Gaiden before, you definitely need to give this game a chance. If you’ve played through the original and are looking for a reminder of why this game is great, it’s definitely worth picking up.
  4. It's got satisfying gameplay, wonderful music, and some uber-amazing visuals. And you'll have lots of fun. I can almost guarantee it.
  5. I think this is pretty much a no-brainer if you own a PS3. If you haven't played the game yet, then all the better. This is the best version by a landslide.
  6. Ninja Gaiden Sigma is by far the definitive version of the franchise, making Sony's PlayStation 3 the lucky beneficiary of this gorgeous, fast-paced -- and still difficult -- game.
  7. Genuinely new content doesn't abound, but Sigma remains such an expansive, challenging, and well-paced thrill ride that you won't care. [July 2007, p.84]
  8. Prepare for your senses to be overloaded in this ninjutsu epic.
  9. Even three years after its initial release, Ninja Gaiden still has the moves that inspire awe. [July 2007, p.97]
  10. 95
    Ninja Gaiden Sigma is the best version released so far and that's saying a lot considering how awesome the other versions were.
  11. For those of you who haven’t experienced this title in any of its iterations: now is as good a time as any to get with the program and play the game. You won’t regret it.
  12. If you're a Ninja Gaiden enthusiast, you'll want to see the new chapters, reworked levels, and slicker graphics. And if for some reason you missed it before, this is a must-play game. The action is intense, focused, and certainly not for the faint of heart. It's also among the most satisfying in all of gaming and remains as awe-inspiring as ever, three years after its original release.
  13. 100
    A strong case can be made for Ninja Gaiden being the greatest action game ever made. This is easily one of the best games to play on your PlayStation 3.
  14. Getting your head around the combat is key to having a good time. Once mastered, you'll find an immersive action romp full of original challenges, incredible environments and interesting characters. This game might have been around for years, but the intensity of the gameplay has yet to be bettered.
  15. Proof that truly excellent games are timeless. The bump in visuals is nice, and the added content makes it worth playing even for those who have already achieved Ryu’s vengeance on the Xbox.
  16. A brilliant retooled classic.
  17. Ninja Gaiden Sigma is the motherload of Ninja Gaiden content for the PS3.
  18. It's a great game and worth a try if you're brave and/or a masochist. [July 2007, p.64]
  19. 93
    If you've never played Ninja Gaiden before, you should stand in line for this one.
  20. It might no longer be the best in its field, but it’s still ready and waiting in the shadows, looking for the perfect opportunity to fly in, behead you and take your life orbs while you’re not looking.
  21. 90
    Sigma is a must own for PS3 owners and anyone who likes to have a good bout of action.
  22. An excellent action-adventure. The fighting system is very good, and brainless button smashers die quickly. However, how about a completely new adventure next time around? [Aug 2007]
  23. 88
    The action in Sigma is the heart and soul of the experience, and it's still strong three years after its original release. [Issue#154, p.70]
  24. This is punishingly, mercilessly, remorselessly ferocious. You will never, ever finish it. Until you learn to block. [July 2007, p.98]
  25. A very frustrating experience, it's also a very rewarding one. [Aug 2007, p.80]
  26. An action game like no other. There are similarities with the awesome "God of War II," but if you consider that epic as an arcade experience, then Sigma falls somewhere in-between arcade and sim.
  27. It's a visually stunning game running at a superb framerate, with super tight action. While the camera can be a nuisance sometimes and the English voice acting isn't fantastic, the sum of Sigma's parts add up to an experience that no action gamer should be without.
  28. The crazy amount of depth afforded by Ryu's basic movesets, the stuff he gets from weapons and the things that are unlocked make the game so damned enjoyable that even when you're chucking the controller through a wall, you're itching to do it all again.
  29. It has nearly everything you could want from an action game: highly accurate controls, a plethora of well-designed enemies, smart AI, sharp visuals, a wide assortment of useful and unique weapons, brutally visceral combat, and, of course, ninjas.
User Score

Mixed or average reviews- based on 99 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 37
  2. Negative: 6 out of 37
  1. It's not bad but it's a shame to say the gameplay is inferior to that of its old school predecessors. It's simple, repetitive button bashing with nothing in the way of diversity. I am new to the ninja gaiden series and decided to play the NES titles first. They blew me away. Still today they are immensely entertaining. And then I played the modern games and lost all interest. There is no originality, just watered down fights and a cliche storyline. The difficulty in the NES games felt natural but now it's artificial and lazy. It's a good game but to be worth anyone's time it would need to have completely different gameplay altogether. Full Review »
  2. The XBOX revival of "Ninja Gaiden" was the best action game of 2004. It was re-released a year later with additional content as "Ninja Gaiden Black". Unfortunately, for the Sony faithful, the PlayStation 2 never received a port. But the PS3 did with this enhanced version of it. "Sigma" introduced reworked level design, new enemies, exclusive weapons, and additional stages with an extra playable character, a buxom blonde armed with huge, um...weapons. This sleek action ninja game is similar to "Devil May Cry" with its fast, stylish action and extreme difficulty. Structurally, it is divided up into 19 levels that can take an hour or more to complete. The plot involves super ninja Ryu Hayabusa's efforts to take down the Black Spider Ninja Clan after they attack and decimiate his village. Eventually, the hero discovers their plot to conquer the world. Story-wise, it is a simple comic book, but while the game's mechanics are quite dated, this is still a standout title. Unlike the recent "Ninja Gaiden 3", it is more than a mere hack 'n slash. Defensive tactics and well-played offensive moves are keys to survival. And if you attempt to play it in a slightly casual manner, your ass will continously be handed to you. The game also contains light platforming and puzzle segments. Additionally, there is some backtracking that occurs. As tough as it may be, "Ninja Gaiden Sigma" is actually easier than the XBOX versions! It also simplifies a few of the puzzles, but the new combat tactics (firing a bow in mid-air, fighting on water!) are a nice addition. While I wouldn't say that "Sigma" is a better game than the original XBOX release, I would say that it is a port worth playing. So if you played and loved both "God of War" and "Devil May Cry", but haven't tried out "Ninja Gaiden Sigma", than do yourself a favor and pick up a copy! Full Review »
  3. its not like the game is to hard or anything. its just boring and repetitive, honestly i don't see how people could have so much fun doing the same **** over and over again. the combat is great yeah, but that doesn't save this game from the awful tedious level design, generic characters in tight clothing, awful voice acting, and well repetition. this was a waste of time in my opinion. overrated to say the least Full Review »