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Q&A: Yosuke Hayashi, Development Director of Ninja Gaiden Sigma

Q: How does Ninja Gaiden Sigma benefit from the power of the Cell Processor and the RSX?

A: We wanted to make sure that Ninja Gaiden Sigma consisted of the greatest graphics and greatest action engine you'd see in any game out there. We wouldn't have been able to accomplish this goal without the power of the PS3 hardware.

Q: Will the newly added chapters deeply effect the original storyline?

A: With the addition of Rachel as a playable character, you are given a chance to experience the game from a different perspective. This allows us the opportunity to really flush out the storyline.

Q: What can we expect to be in the collectors edition?

A: The extra disc that's bundled with Ninja Gaiden Sigma will contain a documentary to the creation of Sigma and the lives of certain R&D members of Team NINJA.

Q: About how long should it take the average gamer to go through Sigma's campaign?

A: With the content we've added to Sigma, it will take the average gamer approximately 20 hours to complete the story mode for the first time. This does not include the amount of time necessary to complete the Mission Pack.

Q: Are there any easier difficulty settings in sigma compared to the original Ninja Gaiden?

A: There are 5 difficulty settings ranging from Ninja Dog to Master Ninja.

Q: Is there any sort of 2 player, or co-op mode in this game?

A: Ninja Gaiden Sigma is a game which revolves around one ninja's journey of revenge. When you have action that is as fast and deadly with only one ninja, why would you need two?

Q: First off, I have never played a Ninja Gaiden game in my life. My first introduction into these games was the demo that is on the PS Store. From what I have come to learn over these past few weeks is that there where 3 main Ninja Gaiden games for the NES, and two Ninja Gaidens for the Xbox. Now, since I never owned a Xbox, and probably never will, is it smart for me to start with Ninja Gaiden Sigma? Is this game related story-wise to the first 2, or is it its own game? I hate being thrown into games, and personally I wouldn't ever start a series off on the third game. So is this part of a trilogy with the 2 Xbox games, or is it its own?

A: While Sigma has everything that the first 2 games had, this game has things that the other 2 never will. If someone was looking to pick up any of the 3 Ninja Gaiden games up for the first time, Sigma would be the best choice for any gamer.

Q: I really enjoyed the original soundtrack, have there been any significant changes to the game's music selection and soundtrack?

A: While you'll still hear the original soundtrack, many new songs have been added to help enhance the feeling of excitement while playing Sigma.

Q: I remember you commenting about adding support for Home, but that it would come down to delaying the game to include Home trophies, etc. What's the current situation on a NG trophy in Home?

A: While we came up with some great ideas for the Home feature, it came to the table too late in the Sigma production process. Be sure to watch for some unique Home features in future Tecmo products though!

Q: Do you guys plan to take advantage of PSN and add downloadable content similar to what you did with the Hurricane Packs?

A: We'll be making an announcement regarding our plans for downloadable content soon. The content will have some amazing depth for a download!

Q: I'm pretty sure you said no in an interview I read, but are there any plans to include the original NES games?

A: Ninja Gaiden Sigma is the beginning of a new era for the Ninja Gaiden series and we are committed to looking forward, not back.

Q: Are you pleased with how far Ninja Gaiden has come?

A: While I'm very pleased with where we were able to bring Sigma, I feel like we could have done more. If I was 100% satisfied with the game, I wouldn't be able to continue creating great new games.

Q: Ninja Gaiden is a franchise that has been compared to the likes of God of War and Devil May Cry over recent years. What is your stance on these two franchises and how does Ninja Gaiden separate itself from them?

A: Sigma is all about experiencing the battles and being in complete control of the encounters firsthand. The other games focus on "showing off" while putting the player in the spectator seat to watch the fight but not partake in it. We really want our gamers to be involved in the battles, not sit idly by as the game does all the work.

Q: Do you have any future PS3 games planned?

A: There are always plans and ideas! There could be an announcement coming in the very near future but until then, enjoy Ninja Gaiden Sigma and learn firsthand what Team NINJA is capable of producing on the PS3!

Q: Are you at all interested in doing more work with the Playstation 3 hardware?

A: I have really enjoyed working on the PS3 and I have quite a few ideas for future PS3 titles.

Q: Any chance we'll ever see the NG series head to the PSP?

A: We don't follow the typical multi-platform porting theme. If we came up with a game design that fits the PSP's profile you could definitely expect us to make an entirely new game for the PSP.

Q: Lots of rumors about DOA coming to PS3, can you comment?

A: We're honored to hear that there are rumors and speculations about upcoming Team NINJA products!

Q: How can I join Team NINJA?

A: If you can wall-run, are a master swordsman, and look sharp in black we might consider you!

quote Koloth

DMC didn't influence Ninja Gaiden. Nor did DMC start any genre the action genre has been around for years. Ninja Gaiden has been around since the 8 bit days. Just like Metal Gear.

And what he was saying was GoW and DMC have big showy combos that don't require much effort and do a lot of damage to the enemy. While NG often requires you to work for even the simplest of combos. That might have changed in DMC 3 which I never played but I know it holds true for the first two.

quote finalblade98

Personally i think this forum needs to get more lively.

quote Zero and X

Also NG WAS infulenced because the gameplay is very similar in some aspects. Gaining new weapons, purchasing new attacks, pulling off combos, and other things.


PS - I know Metal Gear started on the MSX.

quote Ekou

In DMC, most combos won't be stopped once they've been started.

quote Ekou

So, you're saying no other game did ANY of those things? Gaining new weapons is a given in any game involving weaponry. NG borrowed nothing there. Purchasing new attacks maybe, but how else? There isn't an experience-based system like in RPGs. Again, nothing really borrowed. As for the UT comment, there's a big difference. You're not always going to be able to pull off one off. Why? Timing, if enemies are around, you can't stay still. On-landing UTs are the same way, if you jump near an enemy to absorb essence on landing, you can still be stopped. In DMC, most combos won't be stopped once they've been started.

Two different games, same genre, there's going to be similarities.

quote Zero and X

UT can be used hundreds of times during a playthrough, just look at the rankings and the #1 player for normal did it over 1000 times in his playthrough. Btw, you're right about the gaining more weapons, that was a bad example on my part since rpgs do it all the time. However, since DMC was the first 3d action game of its kind, the gameplay is similar, the way you dodge, the way you find the patterns of your opponents, the way you learn new skills, the way you increase health, the way its divided into chapters and a few other things. NG was inspired by DMC in alot of ways, but it is by no means a rip off or a bad game.