I didn't go into this game expecting very much, and make no mistake, I'm disappointed, but I think it's a little bit better than I was scared it was going to be.

The problem is, Valkyrie Profile has a cult following. I don't think it's the kind of game with mass appeal. I think they have tried to broaden the appeal by turning it into a hack and slash. As a hack and slash it's ok, but as an action rpg it's pretty awful and I think all they have done is alienate the fans they had. I don't think this new formula is winning anyone over.

In previous Valkyrie Profile games you play as a named valkyrie, an interesting character with a backstory and a fairly interesting story. In Valkyrie Elysium you play as a nameless valkyrie and the story isn't very interesting at all.

Having said that the game does have mechanics unique to the Valkyrie Profile games such as breaking enemies and the einherjar and spells I recognise. It's a little nostalgic which I like, but it's a big shame this is the direction Valkyrie Profile went.

Ninja Gaiden 2 is a near perfect game. Considering the amount of stuff which has been added, it's a surprise that I think Ninja Gaiden -Sigma- 2 is only very good.

I don't know if they had complaints that the game was too hard, too bloody, or that it crashed a lot but Sigma 2 has been rebalanced. There are now less enemies on the screen at any one time and there is less, or no blood. As a result, it doesn't quite feel as frenetic, bloody or chaotic as it should, but it's still a blast to play.

As for what they added, there are new weapons, new characters and new levels, which all sounds great but the downside is that they are -mandatory- You have to play a couple of levels as Ayane, you have to play as Momiji, and with the way weapons are now unlocked, you -CANT- pick your favourite weapon and focus on it, upgrades now come slowly. All this means is that the game isn't the same, pure, visceral fun as it used to be.

I really do think that the game is wonderful, sigma or not, but I do think it's a little bit disappointing that this is the definitive version. (I hear there is a patch which sounds great)