2025 might be the best year yet forXbox Game Pass. There have been so many amazing games this year, likeClair Obscur: Expedition 33,Blue Prince,South of Midnight,DOOM: The Dark Ages, and there are more games to come, includingThe Outer Worlds 2,Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, andNinja Gaiden 4.
The fourth installment in the modernNinja Gaidenseries,NG4, seems to be addressing the flaws ofNG3,judging by the recent previews. The game’s releasingon October 21, and is a must-play for action fans, but what if you’ve never experienced aNinja Gaidengame? In that case, the perfect place to start would beNinja Gaiden Sigma, which is also available on Xbox Game Pass.
Why Ninja Gaiden Is An All-Time Great Action Title
One Of The Best Action Games Of All Time
The 2004Ninja Gaidenreboot shook the gaming world for a reason. Its combat was stellar, having Soulslike enemy aggression, but the mechanics and flow couldn’t be any different from the Soulslike genre. The combat was very fast-paced, with weapons that demand mastery, and theessence system is one of the greatest in action game history.
If you’renew to the series,don’t expect a Soulslike experience. Many people have visited theNinja Gaidensubreddit, claiming they are skilled at Soulslikes but struggling withNG, and they’re blaming the game for it.Ninja Gaidenis a separate beast, andNG1, in particular, combines its fantastic combat withZelda-like exploration and an open game world that makes it unique in theNGseries.
Pros And Cons To Ninja Gaiden Sigma
A Great Version, But Not The Best
Even thoughNinja Gaiden Sigmais the best starting game for newcomers, because it’s on Xbox Game Pass, the best version isNinja Gaiden Black(available on the Xbox Store for $10). There are some pros and cons to theSigmaversion ofNG1. The most notable improvement as anNGveteran is the Path to Zarkhan chapter.
This was by far the worst chapter inNGB, and it was so dull. I have to give credit to Team Ninja, becausethey made this chapter so much better, trimming much of the original’s fat and even adding on-water combat, which would be later used inNinja Gaiden 2. I preferSigma’sgraphics overNGB, as they are far more vibrant and similar toNG2as well.
Sadly, the title’s pacing is somewhat disrupted by the introduction of three Rachel chapters, which should have been a standalone campaign after completing the game. The level design has also been annoyingly changed for the worse, with somenice shortcuts removed for no discernible reason. There are now loading screens in the game world, which are disruptive and can cause issues with on-loading ETs or UTs.
NGBhad loading screens restricted to opening doors, as it should. However, even with all that said, it’s still a great game, and aworthwhile way to playNG1, unlike the numerous re-releases ofNG2.
Ninja Gaiden Sigma Is The Perfect Place To Start
Start Your Ninja Gaiden 4 Journey Here
WithNinja Gaiden Sigmabeing free on Xbox Game Pass, it’s the absolute best place to start the series for newcomers preparing forNinja Gaiden 4, one of thebiggest video game releases left in 2025. Starting any series for the first time can be daunting. However, unlike series such asYakuza/Like a Dragon, there is a perfect answer forNinja Gaiden, and that’sSigma.
If you haven’t playedSigmaby the timeNG4comes around,you’re wasting your subscription. It’s an action masterpiece that still holds up today, and it’s free right now onXbox Game Pass.
