Chris InglisNinja Gaiden: Master Collection, launched in 2021 by KOEI TECMO America and developers at Team NINJA, offers a nostalgic trip down memory lane for fans of the iconic hack-and-slash series. This compilation brings together three classic titles: Ninja Gaiden Sigma, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, and Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge. This certainly his with the nostalgia factor but also the difficult nature of hack and slash games of that era. If you don’t mind games that pay homage to the graphical limitations and gameplay elements of previous eras, then you are in for a wild ride with this collection.
Ninja Gaiden Sigma: Originally launched in 2007, this reimagining of the classic NES game sees Super Ninja Ryu Hayabusa, a legendary ninja, embark on a quest for revenge against the Vigoor Empire. The Empire has destroyed his village and stolen the Dark Dragon Blade, a sacred sword of immense power. Ryu must navigate treacherous levels, battling hordes of enemies, including ferocious wolves, demonic creatures, and monstrous bosses, to reclaim his honour and avenge his fallen comrades.
Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2: Originally launched in 2009, faces off against the Supreme Ninja Overlord, Genshin, and his Black Spider Ninja Clan in their attempt to steal the Demon Statue that has been protected by his father for generations. Hayabusa ventures around the world on a quest to retrieve the Demon Statue as he cuts down all greater fiends in his path to ultimately destroy the Archfiend. The gameplay intensifies with new moves, weapons, and super challenging platforming sections.
Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge: Originally launched in 2012, this third entry in the series sees a mysterious alchemist, the Regent of the Mask, placing a deadly curse on Hayabusa, as the Dragon Sword is absorbed into his arm causing great pain and suffering. While he struggles with his curse, the Regent intends to destroy the world within 7 days – meaning Hayabusa must overcome his agonising fate to stop the Regent and save the world. The gameplay emphasises a more visceral and brutal combat experience.
The unforgiving nature of these games is their most defining characteristic. The difficulty curve is steep, with enemies possessing aggressive AI and relentless attacks. The checkpoint system can feel punishing, often forcing you to repeat long sections after a single misstep. It was certainly a shock to the system dying and losing progress regularly, but once you have that in the back of mind, you’re more aware and take your time to methodically clear areas. For modern players who never played the originals, the challenging gameplay can be frustrating and even be a barrier to progression at times. Persistence is key though and I found I got more used to the difficulty progression between the three games.
One of the most striking aspects of the Master Collection is the visual progression. From the relatively modest graphics of Ninja Gaiden Sigma, which still holds up remarkably well, to the more polished visuals of Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge, showcasing the advancements in character models, environmental detail, and special effects, it’s clear to see how far console technology evolved over the years. I played these games on Steam with a controller and this collection provides a unique opportunity to experience these iconic games in their original form, while also appreciating the advancements made in graphics and gameplay.
Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection is a love letter to fans of the series, offering a nostalgic trip through some of the most iconic titles in the franchise. However, the brutal difficulty and dated gameplay mechanics certainly reminded me of games of that era and may deter new players to the series. If you can push through the difficulty curve, you will be rewarded with a great sense of achievement as you progress through each game in the collection, and witness how the gameplay and stories evolved over time.
This review utilised a Steam key provided by KOEI TECMO Europe and Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection is available on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch.
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Daniel Agius