Other notable additions for Sigma include the new dual swords you receive (called Dragon's Claw and Tiger's Fang). As any Ninja Gaiden player will know, every weapon means an almost entirely different combat experience; Dragon's Claw and Tiger's Fang are no exceptions. The moveset for the swords is impressive, and during your quest, they're balanced enough to become your default weapons, even though I found myself drawn to the Lunar staff as usual. It was expected since the graphics engine is all new, but it's still astounding that the cutscenes in-game (I'll get to the rendered scenes later) look and sound as good as they do. Seriously, Sigma can go toe-to-toe with any next-gen game out now and hold it's own.

On down the list of good things about Ninja Gaiden, the length is chief among them. With action oriented games only getting shorter now (*cough* Gears *cough*), it's very refreshing to play a game over 20 hours long. Team Ninja obviously wanted people to get their money's worth. However, all of that is bunk if the game wanes into the late hours, which Ninja Gaiden most definitely does not. You get quality game for all 20 hours. Heck, the game is even springing new enemies on you in the last level!