Extremely late to the party: Ninja Gaiden ROCKS (my PS3 has a reason to live!)

[The Fake Shemp]

I never really played Ninja Gaiden on the Xbox.  My Xbox died an early death and I heard it was so difficult that only bearded men that jacked off with spiked gloves could play it.  It is definitely challenging (I've already died a couple of times), but - man! - is it rewarding and totally fun.  I'm wrestling with the camera angle, but I think I'm going to go pre-order Ninja Gaiden II now if Ninja Gaiden Sigma is any indication of how badass this series is.

[The Fake Shemp]

ALSO, after playing this game, how can people say that the 360 cupboard for 2008 is bare?  We already got Lost Odyssey and now Ninja Gaiden II?  Ninja Gaiden Sigma is so good that Ninja Gaiden II might be Game of the Year!

[Raban]

NGS is really easy compared to the original Xbox version, so try to move up on the difficulty rung while you wait for NG2.

[The Fake Shemp]

How do I do that?

[MCD]

beat the game.

[The Fake Shemp]

THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!!!

[MCD]

once you can buy/upgrade stuff, it gets easier, a bit.

here is a hint: always hold down the block button, never let go of it and dodge as necessary.

also, you the walls to your advantage.

[The Fake Shemp]

I literally was not blocking at all for the majority of the first two chapters.  Blocking is a sign of weakness to me.  But then you had to fight that fucking flaming samurai on the bridge and after dying three times, I realized the only way to win was to block.  And I did!  Off to the airship!

[Raban]

I literally was not blocking at all for the majority of the first two chapters.  Blocking is a sign of weakness to me.  But then you had to fight that fucking flaming samurai on the bridge and after dying three times, I realized the only way to win was to block.  And I did!  Off to the airship!

Yeah, I would've loved to see you try and beat Black Ninjas without blocking. Tard. Blocking is part of the tactics in the game. The AI is insanely stupid, as you'll find out when you turtle, but when you jump around and try to be kickass, they rape your penis-hole.

Are you on Normal or Ninja Dog? The game is really easy in Sigma, I can't stress that enough. I got really far, but I ended up saving before a boss fight with 25% health, no enemies in the area and no potions. I couldn't continue and I was waiting until I was in the mood to begin anew.

[demi]

Easy game, Willco confirms weaksauce status - stick to selling games, not playing

[abrader]

The PS3 game is excellent.

The XBOX game was largely the same - but this is the best way to play for sure.

I really need to finish NG PS3

I finished the XBOX game multikipulple times!

[Don Flamenco]

I literally was not blocking at all for the majority of the first two chapters.  Blocking is a sign of weakness to me.  But then you had to fight that fucking flaming samurai on the bridge and after dying three times, I realized the only way to win was to block.  And I did!  Off to the airship!

 

On your first play through, the game starts off very difficult, but it gets easier as you go through it.  Not because the enemies get any easier, but because your skills improve. 

Glad to see your enjoying it...Ninja Gaiden (all versions) is my favorite game of all time, hands down.   

[Raban]

Easy game, Willco confirms weaksauce status - stick to selling games, not playing

Well, no, if NGS is the first and only version he's played, that makes sense. I got all the way until Alma in NG for Xbox, and I couldn't get past her. Then I got NGB and I got past Alma, but couldn't get past the army after that. THEN I got NGS, and I shit my pants at how easy it was. I beat Alma on the first try. I didn't use a single potion.

What surprises me about me being good at NG is normally, I suck ass at difficult games. The original Mega Man games whip my ass, and Contra is fucking impossible. But then again, I've spent an assload of time with the NG games, whereas I spent like 5 minutes with Contra.

[Mr. Gundam]

What the hell was so difficult about the original NG on the Xbox? I loved that game, but seriously, people had a hard time with it?

[Smooth Groove]

Sigma felt easier to me than the original Xbox version.  I'm no NG expert but I managed to beat the first couple of levels on the PS3 version fairly easily. 

[Mr. Gundam]

I died a few times while playing the original Xbox version, but I never once got stuck or seriously frustrated like many people. I've always wondered why people struggled so much with the game, while I beat it pretty easily.

I bought Sigma when it came out last Summer, but only played through the airship and lost interest. Maybe I should go back and finish it up.

[MCD]

did you play it on normal?

you get to fight new enemies on harder difficulties. (speaking of Black and Sigma here, no clue about the original)

[drew]

here is a hint: always hold down the block button, never let go of it and dodge as necessary.

I jump and roll more than I block.  I'm sure I'll block more in NGII though, since dashing keeps you tied to the ground.

I tried to love it, but its so fucking hard. I feel like a distinguished mentally-challenged fellow playing it. I quit on the airship.

It's sad that so many people quit on the airship, they've barely scratched the surface of the game.  The best part is the last half.

[Raban]

I died a few times while playing the original Xbox version, but I never once got stuck or seriously frustrated like many people. I've always wondered why people struggled so much with the game, while I beat it pretty easily.

I bought Sigma when it came out last Summer, but only played through the airship and lost interest. Maybe I should go back and finish it up.

-shrug- If you didn't have problems with it, more power to you. The game isn't ridiculously unfair, just challenging, until you fight the bosses. Most of the bosses are just cheap, especially Alma. When you're playing through the game itself though, the only time you end up dying is through your own fault, as you have to be very conservative about your movement and strategy. The bosses almost have no strategy, just pray you aren't occupied when the boss is vulnerable, since one or two seconds extra in the ring with those fuckers is enough to put an end to you.

I never understand why people quit at the airship. The entire game is piss easy until the catacombs, then it starts getting tough. Then the difficulty explodes at Alma, then slows down afterwards, and pretty much declines until the final boss.

[Don Flamenco]

The whole thing about NG is that if you play it consistently enough, it eventually gets pretty easy.  You get better at using all the moves and knowing enemies patterns the longer you stick with it and you get better weapons on top of that, so enemies die easier. 


but Sigma is known to be the easiest version, it's one of the reasons why hardcore fans still consider Black to be the better version.  Still a hard game by today's standards, though.

[Raban]

NG2 looks pretty neat, I just wish it did more new things. It looks like an expansion pack to NGS, just with minor graphical updates here and there, and major ones in certain places. Like how NG2 on the NES improved on what NG1 had. They should add a ton of completely game-altering moves and such. I know there's a dash...but...eh, I don't know what I'm saying. I'm still buying it.

[Don Flamenco]

NG2 looks pretty neat, I just wish it did more new things. It looks like an expansion pack to NGS, just with minor graphical updates here and there, and major ones in certain places. Like how NG2 on the NES improved on what NG1 had. They should add a ton of completely game-altering moves and such. I know there's a dash...but...eh, I don't know what I'm saying. I'm still buying it.

I'm not as excited about 2 as I thought I would be, but I still have a raging hard on for the original, so I'm not really dying for more.  it's a whole new adventure with new weapons and new enemies, which is all I really want out of it.  I'm sure they changed up a lot of hit properties and more subtle things like that too. 

They tried introducing a new, game-changing technique in the Hurricane Pack DLC for the original Ninja Gaiden on the Xbox.  It was called "intercept" which let you parry moves and attack instantly.  They never put it in Black or Sigma though, since it practically broke the game.

[MCD]

I'm loving NG2 stages, much better than the first with it's dead environments.

[Raban]

I'm loving NG2 stages, much better than the first with it's dead environments.

Yeah, murderous rampages in the daylight looks alot better than in the dark of night.

[MCD]

was that sarcasm? 

[AdmiralViscen]

I got up to the area with the tanks and shit, then I stalled out. How far was I?

[GilloD]

I quit when the guns showed up, but I had a roommate who pounded right through. Ugh. Gives me chills just thinking of it. Wait, that's the fever I got. NM.

[TVC15]

It's probably my favorite game of last gen.  The first half is just about perfect.  The second half is a bit more hit and miss, but for the most part it's still good stuff.

[Robo]

shitty platforming etc. etc.

[disgruntled_jojo]

Totally great game.  That said, the camera in the Xbox original was criminally poor (without the DLC), so that also might have contributed to some people's memories of it being harder.

[TVC15]

The camera really only bugged me in enclosed areas which required platforming, and there were barely a handful of those in the game.

[The Fake Shemp]

Okay, I assume I'm near the END of the airship level, but I've gotten to this room where about ONE BILLION enemies keep respawning.  Is there something I am supposed to do?

[MCD]

Okay, I assume I'm near the END of the airship level, but I've gotten to this room where about ONE BILLION enemies keep respawning.  Is there something I am supposed to do?

there are places in the game like this, filled with 100 or 50 enemies.

if you defeat them, you get an item.

note: it's optional, you can escape if you want.

[The Fake Shemp]

HOW DO I ESCAPE??!!?

[MCD]

via the door? lol.

if you can't just restart.

[drew]

there are places in the game like this, filled with 100 or 50 enemies.

if you defeat them, you get an item.

note: it's optional, you can escape if you want.

IMO the best part of the game is the 100 fiend challenge w/ the pink claw fiends in that huge hallway with all the pillars lining the walls.  combo heaven.

[Rman]

Action game of the generation for last gen.  One my favorite games as well.  I preferred it much more to DMC3 and even DMC4. 

[The Fake Shemp]

Beat that fat robo fuck on the airship and now I'm down on Vigoor territory.  NINJA POWAH!!!

[Raban]

Willco, did you think the airship was hard? If so, give up now.

Btw, here's a tip. Use the Dragon Sword exclusively. Every other weapon is only useful for combo racking, if you just wanna beat the game, keep upgrading the Dragon Sword, and no other weapon. Unlabored Flawlessness and the Vigoorian Flail and shit should come into play your second time through on Hard or some shit, the Dragon Sword pwns tho.

[CurseoftheGods]

The twin swords in the PS3 version are even better than the Dragon Sword. Other than that, I completely agree with Raban.

[MCD]

dabilahro is a must.

willco, make sure to collect the golden scarabs, give them to murmasa for prizes.

edit: the twin swords are cool but i think i had trouble doing flying swallow with them, kept doing another move accidentally.

[Raban]

The twin swords in the PS3 version are even better than the Dragon Sword. Other than that, I completely agree with Raban.

They're really cheap, though. I never liked using the combo weapons in tandem with the Dragon Sword, because the way you play the game with the Dragon Sword is alot slower compared to how you just tank the shit out of enemies with combo weapons.

And yeah, McDragon is correct, Dabilahro is fucking amazing for the bigger monster bosses that give you the time to swing the damn thing, but tbh, the Dragon Sword isn't far behind in damage dealt.

[Don Flamenco]

the Unlabored Flawlessness is my favorite. It seems like a cheap weapon, but if you play it correctly (with less than 5% of your health to do max damage), it's a lot of fun since there's very high risk/reward.   

[Enl]

Quite possibly my favorite game last gen. My only gripe besides the camera is that you have to play through each difficulty to unlock the Master Ninja mode. As Raban stated above blocking and rolling is pretty much essential for the later enemies (this game isn't a button masher like God of War), and if you're ever to go for score learn to quick draw orbs for Ultimate Techniques.

[Don Flamenco]

Quite possibly my favorite game last gen. My only gripe besides the camera is that you have to play through each difficulty to unlock the Master Ninja mode.

yes, that is so fucking annoying for me.  I switch up systems a lot and have had to replay normal mode so many times.  Worst part was that saves for Sigma are tied to the system. 

[MCD]

Quite possibly my favorite game last gen. My only gripe besides the camera is that you have to play through each difficulty to unlock the Master Ninja mode.

yes, that is so fucking annoying for me.  I switch up systems a lot and have had to replay normal mode so many times.  Worst part was that saves for Sigma are tied to the system. 

all team ninja games saves are DRM'ed.

disgusting ninjas.

[Smooth Groove]

My friend had some cracked save on his modded Xbox which gave him unlimited potions and revival scrolls.  It was pretty fun to play NG with no fears of dying. 

[Raban]

Really, Willco, don't take death in NG as a bad thing. The more you play NG, you get better and better, and I haven't been more satisfied from a video game than when after busting my ass over and over and over again, I could finally kick ass like a real Ninja. You have to realize that NG has a shit-ton more depth than it lets on initially, you just have to get into the groove, but once you do, you won't want to play another hack'n'slash again.

[disgruntled_jojo]

Really, Willco, don't take death in NG as a bad thing. The more you play NG, you get better and better, and I haven't been more satisfied from a video game than when after busting my ass over and over and over again, I could finally kick ass like a real Ninja. You have to realize that NG has a shit-ton more depth than it lets on initially, you just have to get into the groove, but once you do, you won't want to play another hack'n'slash again.

Yeah, ironic that Team Ninja's action game has soooo much depth and replayability, while their fighting game is barely a tier above a button-mash fest. :/  NG is so damn good... it's hard to put down.  Even after I beat it , I really felt that I'd kicked so much ass and gotten so much better that I was READY for the next difficulty level.

Awesome.

[Don Flamenco]

I still die a lot.  Simply amazing how adaptive the A.I. is. 

I think the game might have the best AI ever. 

Really, Willco, don't take death in NG as a bad thing. The more you play NG, you get better and better, and I haven't been more satisfied from a video game than when after busting my ass over and over and over again, I could finally kick ass like a real Ninja. You have to realize that NG has a shit-ton more depth than it lets on initially, you just have to get into the groove, but once you do, you won't want to play another hack'n'slash again.

Yeah, ironic that Team Ninja's action game has soooo much depth and replayability, while their fighting game is barely a tier above a button-mash fest. :/  NG is so damn good... it's hard to put down.  Even after I beat it , I really felt that I'd kicked so much ass and gotten so much better that I was READY for the next difficulty level.

Awesome.

and their volleyball game is one of the worst game so far this gen.  If they announce XBV3, I'll drink bleach.

[Raban]

Really, Willco, don't take death in NG as a bad thing. The more you play NG, you get better and better, and I haven't been more satisfied from a video game than when after busting my ass over and over and over again, I could finally kick ass like a real Ninja. You have to realize that NG has a shit-ton more depth than it lets on initially, you just have to get into the groove, but once you do, you won't want to play another hack'n'slash again.

Yeah, ironic that Team Ninja's action game has soooo much depth and replayability, while their fighting game is barely a tier above a button-mash fest. :/  NG is so damn good... it's hard to put down.  Even after I beat it , I really felt that I'd kicked so much ass and gotten so much better that I was READY for the next difficulty level.

Awesome.

Yeah, DOA and DOAX suck fat balls.

I still die a lot.  Simply amazing how adaptive the A.I. is.

I think the game might have the best AI ever. 

I'm a huge fan of the game, but you couldn't be more incorrect. The AI is laughably bad, but it knows how to exploit you if you're being distinguished mentally-challenged. Just like any action game in NG's league, you have to get every enemy's pattern down. Have you ever just sat in the middle of a mob of Black Ninjas with your guard up? They do absolutely nothing, but as soon as you open yourself up at the wrong time, the raping begins.

The depth is really in how you play the game. You have to discover new things all the time. When I first took a look at the movelist while I was playing, I simply said to myself "Like I'm gonna use any of those". By the time I had gotten the hang of it, I was using a different combination of any of those moves in each battle. The AI isn't dumb, but it's very simple, and all they really care about is taking you out of your "I'm a badass ninja" zone, and fuck you over.

I mean, that's why people think the game is so hard. If you get stuck in a combo, even with the shitty brown ninjas in the beginning of the game, half your health bar goes poof before you know it.

[MCD]

i like doa simply because as a casual fighting guy i find it fun, button mashing or not.

i find all fighting games fun except virtua fighter, way too hardcore for my taste.

[Raban]

i like doa simply because as a casual fighting guy i find it fun, button mashing or not.

i find all fighting games fun except virtua fighter, way too hardcore for my taste.

Virtua Fighter is fucking amazing, why hate? It's not hardcore, it's just realistic.

[MCD]

i like doa simply because as a casual fighting guy i find it fun, button mashing or not.

i find all fighting games fun except virtua fighter, way too hardcore for my taste.

Virtua Fighter is fucking amazing, why hate? It's not hardcore, it's just realistic.

no hate, just not my taste, i am a casual afterall.

[Raban]

i like doa simply because as a casual fighting guy i find it fun, button mashing or not.

i find all fighting games fun except virtua fighter, way too hardcore for my taste.

Virtua Fighter is fucking amazing, why hate? It's not hardcore, it's just realistic.

no hate, just not my taste, i am a casual afterall.

Breaking my heart, McDragon  :'(

[MCD]

i like doa simply because as a casual fighting guy i find it fun, button mashing or not.

i find all fighting games fun except virtua fighter, way too hardcore for my taste.

Virtua Fighter is fucking amazing, why hate? It's not hardcore, it's just realistic.

no hate, just not my taste, i am a casual afterall.

Breaking my heart, McDragon  :'(

I'd suck your dick, no homo.

[Raban]

i like doa simply because as a casual fighting guy i find it fun, button mashing or not.

i find all fighting games fun except virtua fighter, way too hardcore for my taste.

Virtua Fighter is fucking amazing, why hate? It's not hardcore, it's just realistic.

no hate, just not my taste, i am a casual afterall.

Breaking my heart, McDragon  :'(

I'd suck your dick, no homo.

All is good, then.

[MCD]

 

[Raban]

 

[Don Flamenco]

I'm a huge fan of the game, but you couldn't be more incorrect. The AI is laughably bad, but it knows how to exploit you if you're being distinguished mentally-challenged. Just like any action game in NG's league, you have to get every enemy's pattern down. Have you ever just sat in the middle of a mob of Black Ninjas with your guard up? They do absolutely nothing, but as soon as you open yourself up at the wrong time, the raping begins.

The depth is really in how you play the game. You have to discover new things all the time. When I first took a look at the movelist while I was playing, I simply said to myself "Like I'm gonna use any of those". By the time I had gotten the hang of it, I was using a different combination of any of those moves in each battle. The AI isn't dumb, but it's very simple, and all they really care about is taking you out of your "I'm a badass ninja" zone, and fuck you over.

I mean, that's why people think the game is so hard. If you get stuck in a combo, even with the shitty brown ninjas in the beginning of the game, half your health bar goes poof before you know it.

you're talking about normal mode.

about blocking-- on the harder difficulties, they use guard crush/staggering moves on you more often, especially in master ninja. So you do get a bit of a breather when you stand and block, but it doesn't last forever on harder difficulties.  They also team up, hit you out of the air, fuck you up when you repeat the same combo too much, exploit your openings, etc. etc. They'll team up to create combos out of certain moves--you can see this in mission mode where you fight a bunch of different enemy types at once.  Since fights in the game are often fast as shit and hectic, things get unpredictable fast.  Especially when you're fighting cat chicks or red fire ninjas.

No action game does all this.  Rather, DMC definitely doesn't have this aggressive of enemies, and God Of War just gives its enemies the ability to take hits without staggering, so they attack whenever they damn well please.

as for it being laughably bad, compare it to other games...I'd like to know what games offer all this in an enemy^^