![]() Regardless of the version, the second Ninja Gaiden game took on a more combat focus than its predecessor, opting for epic set pieces and high kinetic combat over methodical pacing and level design. Now, the subject of Ninja Gaiden II versus Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 is a far more complex debate, and there is no right answer here, but if you’re a newcomer looking for a relatively convenient and accessible way to experience the game, then Sigma 2 in the Master Collection might be the ideal way to try it, as even the One X Enhanced Ninja Gaiden II is one of the most punishing action games ever made. To be clear, Master Collection contains Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, also an enhanced and modified version of the PS3 remake. The free One X Enhanced patch addresses virtually all of the issues, bringing the experience up to where it always intended to be. Ninja Gaiden II on Xbox 360 was an ambitiously messy release at the time, and while the game succeeded at what it set out to do, it suffered from a range of technical performance issues. Even in 2021, nothing about the experience feels dated in the slightest instead it has aged like the most expensive wine in the cellar. Whether you are returning after a long absence or playing for the first time, Ninja Gaiden is still up there as the best of the best, even with alternatives like Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition available. The fluid and scientific ninja action is situated within impeccably designed levels, where every nook and cranny ensure there is meaning and substance to the level progression and pacing. This is a sublime and meticulous action game, with a stunningly nuanced and rewarding combat system, presenting players with enemies and bosses that genuinely test skill. Regardless of which version you pick, Ninja Gaiden back then and even now is as close to perfection that any action game can ever hope to claim. There are mostly certainly some major differences between the two versions, but holistically speaking the core experience is identical where it matters, and so you can’t go wrong either way. As noted earlier, the Microsoft Store already has the One X enhanced version of Ninja Gaiden Black. ![]() The original Ninja Gaiden is presented here as Ninja Gaiden Sigma, an enhanced and modified version of the PS3 remake. With all the schematics of the collection outlined, let’s dive into each of the three games. Ultimately, if you want all the messy bits then you need to look to the original Xbox releases. This isn’t terribly exciting, as it is at best a marginal visual update, with a touch of blood and gore to the existing visual effects. ![]() At the time of this review, a post launch patch updates the Sigma versions of the first two games by restoring some of the violence and gore. Another feature of the series was its over the top violence and gore, which was strangely stripped back for the PS3 Sigma releases back in the day. Of note to newcomers is the Hero difficulty setting something which may be helpful as long before Dark Souls it was Ninja Gaiden that served as the bastion for difficult action games. What this collection also does is introduce a range of quality-of-life features among other content. But for returning fans on Xbox it may just be a choice of convenience over authenticity. The answer isn’t so clear, but before diving into the collection and each of the games in-depth, it’s worth pointing out that for complete newcomers, Master Collection might be the ideal way to get introduced to the franchise. So, for Xbox owners the first real question becomes whether it is worthwhile getting this collection, especially when the originals can be picked up right now from the Xbox store for a much lower price. Now, unlike other platforms, Xbox owners are in a unique situation where they already have access to Xbox One X enhanced versions of both Ninja Gaiden Black (an expansion of the original) and Ninja Gaiden II, while Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge has always been backwards compatible. Master Collection contains the Sigma versions, which were PS3 remakes and revisions of the Xbox originals. The various versions of Ninja Gaiden is a complex subject, yet the short of it is that most purists will favour the unaltered Xbox originals.
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