Here’s why several fans are unhappy with how the Ninja Gaiden Master Collection is shaping up.
Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja announced Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection on the Nintendo Direct February 2021. The game is coming to Switch, but also PS4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection will release on June 10, 2021.
The game will compile the adventures of Ryu Hayabusa from Ninja Gaiden Sigma released in 2007. Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 from 2009. And Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge from 2012.
The official site specifies the female characters of the series, Rachel, Ayane, Momiji, and Kasumi, will appear as they did in the original version of the games. Which means there’s no need to worry about costumes censorship. In addition, most of the DLCs from the original games including DLC costumes will be available from the get-go too.
Some functions will be removed however: There’s no online multiplayer for the Tag Missions in Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2. Moreover, Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge‘s Clan Battle for Shadows of the World was removed. And there’s no online for Ninja Trials.
However, it’s important to note the Ninja Gaiden Sigma games are already ports, different than the original Ninja Gaiden games.
Ninja Gaiden wast first released on Xbox in 2004, and then the PS3 port Ninja Gaiden Sigma happened in 2007. Similarly, Ninja Gaiden 2 first launched on Xbox 360 in 2008, and was later ported as Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 on PS3.
The series’ main designer Tomonobu Itagaki – the main creator of Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden – and Team Ninja, really went all out with the blood and gore in Ninja Gaiden 2 specifically. In comparison, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, while adding new content most notably with Ayane, Rachel, and Momiji being playable, also heavily censored the game.
But censorship is not the most important issue by far. The biggest change to note and what makes many fans unhappy are direct gameplay changes. Some of the stages of Ninja Gaiden 2 are completely different in Ninja Gaiden 2 Sigma. The maps and layout are the same, but the enemies’ placements and waves are like night and day.
Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 also has several changes to the item system, the weapon system, bosses, etc as well. Some are enhancements, but some can also be considered downgrades.
At the end of the day, Ninja Gaiden 2 and Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 are pretty much different games instead of an original and its port. Fans are unhappy and sad that even with these new remasters, the only way to play the original Ninja Gaiden 2 is still having access to an Xbox 360.
Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Compared To Ninja Gaiden 2
As such, it’s understandable why many fans are unhappy that Ninja Gaiden Master Collection contains the Sigma version instead of the original.
Personally speaking, I’m pretty bummed as well, but at the end of the day that’s better than nothing. Beggars can’t be choosers, and at least this shows Koei Tecmo is not forgetting about the Ninja Gaiden series and still pushes the series forward. I’m all for trying to make the best out of a situation that didn’t turn out like you expected.
Fumihiko Yasuda mentioned he’d definitely like to make a sequel one day in the press release for the Master Collection. Though the current head of Team Ninja also stressed out it’s not in development.
Revel in the intensity of the critically acclaimed #NinjaGaiden series when NINJA GAIDEN: Master Collection comes to #NintendoSwitch June 10. #NintendoDirect pic.twitter.com/TwoIJQV8oY
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) February 18, 2021
The post Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection – Why Fans Are Unhappy? by Iyane Agossah appeared first on DualShockers.