Is this game really actually that difficult?

[funkmonster7]

I've kept an eye on this game for a long time. But once I found out some people think it is harder than Dark Souls, I don't know... I never played DS before, so I don't really know how difficult is this game.

Should I get it then? I'm a big fan of Ryu Hayabusa and Ayane in DOA though.

[Morbis]

Origineel geplaatst door funkmonster7:

Should I play the NG games one at a time in order or can I switch between them or something?

Unless you really care about the story you can swap between them just fine.
I recommend playing through Sigma 2 first as it's a lot easier then others.

I also recommend playing Sigma 2 black mod at some point:
https://www.nexusmods.com/ninjagaidenmastercollection/mods/37

Makes the game a lot similar to the original NG2 which are pretty different games in terms of gameplay.

Black mod for Razor's Edge also makes the game better by doing some balance changes
https://www.nexusmods.com/ninjagaidenmastercollection/mods/96

[J Jonoh Jamson]

Sigma 2 may be the easiest, but I'd still say play them in order because the gameplay builds on and changes as the series goes on. Going backwards from NG2 to NG1, NG1 will feel a bit slower and missing features like obliteration techniques in NG2.

[funkmonster7]

Is the bow much useful in Sigma 1? Other than shooting barrels and other necessary moments (like in chapter 3 shooting at the two gunners at the aft cabin), I don't know how to use it. I thought the game says the bow is useful for shooting down enemies who aren't alerted to your presence yet or something? But every time I encounter enemies, they already know I'm coming. (Maybe I misread.)

[Electric Cupcake]

Origineel geplaatst door funkmonster7:

Is the bow much useful in Sigma 1? Other than shooting barrels and other necessary moments (like in chapter 3 shooting at the two gunners at the aft cabin), I don't know how to use it. I thought the game says the bow is useful for shooting down enemies who aren't alerted to your presence yet or something? But every time I encounter enemies, they already know I'm coming. (Maybe I misread.)

It's mandatory for some fights. You'll know them when you find them, and the special arrows.

[J Jonoh Jamson]

I think that was only for that section, most of the time enemies know where you are as soon as they spawn. Bow is mostly for bow sections, puzzles and bosses where you will need to use the bow. Aiming is hard unless your really good and fast. It's still useful in combat as the projectile button you press quickly in combos or in air without going into the aiming, Ryu will normally auto aim, does more damage than shurikens but limited arrows unless there's a ninja corpse or ammo box with infinite arrows nearby.

[funkmonster7]

Haha... I just realized there is ninpo. I only just found out how to use them. Question is, it seems ninpo consumes ki. How do I see my ki meter (if there is one), and what do I do to replenish ki?

[J Jonoh Jamson]

The flames under the health bar is the ki meter, they can be replenish with red potions, small Elixir of Devil Way for each ki, or Great Devil Way Elixir to replenish all, like Spirtual Life (blue potions) replenishes health. You can increase ki meter with Spirit of the Devils like Life of the Gods increases health.

[funkmonster7]

So, ki meter won't recharge automatically or by killing enemies etc?

[Electric Cupcake]

Origineel geplaatst door funkmonster7:

So, ki meter won't recharge automatically or by killing enemies etc?

If they drop red orbs, yes. Automatically, no.

[J Jonoh Jamson]

Forgot about that, red essence orbs recharge ki. I think the chance of them increases the more you lower the ki bar is, like how chance for blue orbs increases the lower your health is, but it might also be random luck too.

[funkmonster7]

Wow, damn... chapter 6 was rough. 2 gatling carriages, then 3 dino fiends, then 1 giant eyeball-tentacle monster. And this is while I'm grinding yellow essences to buy elixirs and weapon upgrades. Damn... This game is rough.

[funkmonster7]

... ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ I finally finished normal. This game had me cussing far too many times. I almost broke my controller. In the end I still used a guide, more or less. Because I got sick of dying for things I didn't expect, like fiend challenges or unfair bosses. Like that string of bosses in Chapter 18, or even the fact that the cavern traversing in Chapter 19 is timed.

I doubt I'm interested in hard mode either. This game is just damn hard. If NG original or black are worse, I'm glad I'm not playing those. Sigma took me 40+ hours...

[Electric Cupcake]

Origineel geplaatst door funkmonster7:

... ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ I finally finished normal. This game had me cussing far too many times. I almost broke my controller. In the end I still used a guide, more or less. Because I got sick of dying for things I didn't expect, like fiend challenges or unfair bosses. Like that string of bosses in Chapter 18, or even the fact that the cavern traversing in Chapter 19 is timed.

I doubt I'm interested in hard mode either. This game is just damn hard. If NG original or black are worse, I'm glad I'm not playing those. Sigma took me 40+ hours...

Do as you wish, though there are some things like the doppelganger fiends who only show up in harder difficulties. And once you have a solid grasp of the mechanics, normal gets to be too easy, leaving you itching for greater challenges.

Kids these days are obsessed with achievements, but the simple satisfaction of overcoming adversity and working towards mastery will always be great reward in itself.

In any case, NG2 is also brilliant, so move on if you really must.

[funkmonster7]

Eh, I'm not saying Sigma 1 was a bad game. If it was, I wouldn't be moving on to Sigma 2 and beyond.

[J Jonoh Jamson]

Origineel geplaatst door funkmonster7:

... ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ I finally finished normal. This game had me cussing far too many times. I almost broke my controller. In the end I still used a guide, more or less. Because I got sick of dying for things I didn't expect, like fiend challenges or unfair bosses. Like that string of bosses in Chapter 18, or even the fact that the cavern traversing in Chapter 19 is timed.

I doubt I'm interested in hard mode either. This game is just damn hard. If NG original or black are worse, I'm glad I'm not playing those. Sigma took me 40+ hours...

Congrats, you beat a difficult game. Sigma 2 should be a breeze for you now, it's kind of nerfed compared to the original NG2 that is harder and has blood and gore intact, but still a good game.