Ninja Gaiden Sigma Interview

One of the original Xbox’s most well-loved games returns in the form of Ninja Gaiden Sigma, a PS3 exclusive that updates one of the most difficult games on Microsoft’s first console. Pro-G sat down with the game’s producer and director, Yosuke Hayashi, translated by Tecmo’s General Manager, Mitsuro Tsutsumi, to talk walking on water, hardcore gaming and standing up to Ninja Gaiden’s original producer.

Pro-G: Sigma is a remake of the original game. How different will the experience be for fans of the first Ninja Gaiden and Ninja Gaiden Black?

Yosuke Hayashi: Well. One of the most easily recognisable features will be the graphical improvements, because, you know, it can be seen at a glance.

Pro-G: And what about the new playable character?

YH: Well, in as far as the new features available in Ninja Gaiden Sigma are concerned, they are based on requests from users of Ninja Gaiden, and the number one request was to make Rachel a playable character.

Pro-G: So how much did you speak to the Ninja Gaiden fans to get input on Sigma?

YH: Basically, for creating the game, there was a lot of co-working with the fan base. I tried to include as many of their requests as possible.

Pro-G: Could you tell me about any other new features? For example, Ryu’s new abilities.

YH: We did a lot of new things. For example, with the running on water. In previous versions you could not fight while running on water, while this time you can do that.

Pro-G: Ninja Gaiden was a very difficult game. Is there anything in Sigma for the more casual player?

YH: In fact the game in Sigma for the more casual gamer is there, through an option that, if the player is killed many times within one stage, they can choose to move into an easier difficulty level. But, think of the whole original game. The game was not that easy, so people were enjoying the challenge in those days. So, if you’d like to get those days back, you can with Ninja Gaiden Sigma.

Pro-G: How much of a challenge was it for you and your team to tackle such a well-loved game?

YH: It was a challenge I didn’t tackle. In Ninja Gaiden the main battle system is very well made. So what I did for Sigma is to provide more exciting atmosphere and improve the response of the gameplay, so I put my energy into that, which was easy.

Pro-G: Was Itagaki involved in Sigma at all?

YH: My position was to challenge Itakagi, (laughter) so in fact there is almost no involvement from Itagaki. Of course he is the Ninja Gaiden executive producer so he was observing, but there was almost no input.

Pro-G: So, why was now the right time for Sigma?

YH: In fact Ninja Gaiden is the greatest game, so even now there is no other greater action game. It is not available. So why they launched Ninja Gaiden Sigma right now is because even on the next-generation machines, still you cannot find a greater action game. There was also the space to improve this game further. That is why we decided to bring Ninja Gaiden Sigma to PS3 now.

Pro-G: Where do you see the Ninja Gaiden series going in the future?

YH: The basic concept of this game is, or rather what we’re aiming for is, to create the best action game available at the time, so that is its future. One thing though; perhaps you weren’t expecting Ninja Gaiden for the DS.

Pro-G: Finally, speaking of Nintendo, any chance of Ninja Gaiden for the Wii?

YH: We would make something for the Wii if we came up with something unique that would only work on the Wii. There are several groups within Team Ninja. The PS3 group, the Xbox 360 group, and there are Wii fans in Team Ninja.

Pro-G: Thanks for your time.