Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection Review

As a longtime fan of the series from its humble beginnings on the NES, I will always hold Ninja Gaiden in a special place, even if it kicks my ass and makes me question any amount of skill I possess. However, The Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection may not be what fans expected. This is not a new entry in the franchise, and the versions that we see in this collection aren’t the best ways to enjoy the adventures. If someone is willing to import it, there is no physical copy. So, is the Master Collection worth it.

Although it may seem odd to combine the Sigma versions of the two first games with the preferred Ninja Gaiden 3 with Razor's Edge, there is a reason. In a crushing moment for longtime fans, Team Ninja admitted that they couldn't recover the code for Ninja Gaiden Black or the original Ninja Gaiden II, which are the preferred versions of those games. They didn't have many options and there were some positives, but also many disadvantages.

Ninja Gaiden Sigma was the director's cut of the original game. It added many fun elements such as Rachel being able to complete her own missions. However, it also altered the encounters and puzzles which hampered the game's flow. Ninja Gaiden Sigma II made similar cuts, but more noticeably this time toward taking out some of the gore so more copies could be sold and making it where players could make the female characters' breasts jiggle instead.

The Sigma versions included new content such as weapons, extra levels, save points and costumes. However, they made it too easy for some hardcore gamers and hampered the overall performance. Some enemies can be removed at will, and players can stock up on items, even though they may not have the ability to carry all the available items. This makes some design decisions less appealing. Although these versions do include the majority the original DLC, the majority seem minor. However, it is obvious that someone broke into the kitchen and added a lot of unnecessary spices to the game's overall flavor.

I am familiar with the first two games, but have spent very little time on the third one since its original release. The Master Collection has changed my perspective on the black sheep in the trilogy. For those who enjoyed the first two entries, Razor's Edge will be the third game. This game isn't as well-known as Ryu's adventures. It may even be placed in the same box as Yaiba Ninja Gaiden Z. Fans prefer to forget about it. This game is not good for many reasons. This is an excellent time to review the last part of the trilogy in its best form and reconsider its place in the franchise. I understand though if you don't get that far.

Although the main advantage is being able to play these games on older systems, that doesn't make it any easier when you consider that Ninja Gaiden Black or Ninja Gaiden II originals can be accessed through backwards compatibility with Xbox One. This is the best option for anyone who has their discs or is willing and able to find one. These games are great, and the environments look fantastic. The skillful use and focus on the action in the drab areas makes them stand out. Some parts of the collection are still impressive to me, and they never feel as old as they really are. However, performance issues like the ones I mentioned earlier can be hard to ignore. There are clear loading and stuttering problems that can make parts feel jerky. This takes away from the experience in certain spots, so I wonder if it could have been better addressed.

These versions have smooth and easy controls. It was like riding a vicious bike. I started to enjoy the thrill of dismembering my enemies, and then I remembered how Ryu interacted with them. The weapons felt like friends, and the combos were easy to use. Ninja Gaiden offers a great gameplay experience that is still superior to what other games can offer.

Just as I start to get cocky, and I put up a few good rankings, the game reminds us that we are not ninjas. Even after all these years, I still love this terrible camera more than I should. Each game was started on normal difficulty, and I didn't accept any of the help items later. However, I eventually switched to Hero Mode. This feature helps players when they are near death by giving them more ninpo or blocking enemy attacks for a brief time, so they can win the fight and refill their health.

This was a fun game to play, even though I wasn't feeling the challenge. But I feel like I will want to do it again. It's there for me if I need it. Some may see it as a crutch.

Master Collection was a great time for me. But what about everyone else? This collection is not likely to be a hit with true fans. The games are already owned by the players, and the only thing that was added to the Deluxe Edition was a digital art book and soundtrack. The collection did not contain any significant additions, including a framework for selecting the games (each must be downloaded separately) and updates to the menus.

The developers couldn't even put some of the display options in the games themselves for the PC version. Although it's a bit depressing and unlikely that anyone wants to see Yaiba, something would have been useful, even if it were just the TurboGrafx 16 and Game Boy versions of Ninja Gaiden. The Master Collection is for those who have not yet experienced modern Ninja Gaiden, or people who have played the originals but didn't get to the Sigma versions.

Tecmo Koei will be able to pick up a few of these fans, including me. The community is calling for a new Ninja Gaiden video game. The majority of people will either wait to buy it on sale or let it fade back into the darkness like a bad dream (thought I was going say Ninja?). It's great to see the series again mentioned, and to hear Hayabusa's name being used by those in the industry. But the legacy deserves more than that, I think.