If there was a text-book example of a PR stunt that backfired, it would be the press launch for Ninja Gaiden Sigma we attended today. A model was hired to impersonate a female character from the series, Fiend-Hunter Rachel, and the assembled journalists spent more time gaping at her than they did the game. The developers from Tecmo seemed very amused.

In any case, "Ninja Gaiden Sigma" looks fantastic. It plays just as well (and as difficult) as the original 2004 game - hey, if it ain't broke, don't fix it - but the PS3 version's graphics are souped up with higher resolutions, frame-rates, and umpteen other technical tweaks. Content extras include the option to duel-wield katana swords, using the motion-sensitive Sixaxis controller to cast spells, and Rachel is now a playable character with four unique stages of her own. Needless to say, the bounce of her boobs is realistically rendered.

Yosuke Hayashi, Ninja Gaiden's Producer and Director, explained that they bought this game to the PS3 with the express intention of showing what the console could do, and to make their game the most technically accomplished currently available. They've certainly succeeded. A free demo has been available on the PlayStation Network in America and Japan for a while, but European distributors Eidos have announced it'll be available on these shores "very shortly" (exact date t.b.c.).

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