Back in 2004, Team Ninja revitalized the hardcore gaming market with the release of Ninja Gaiden for the Xbox. It remains one of the most difficult games ever made, with its lightning-fast game play and its increasingly mounting challenges. A year and a half later, Itagaki and company followed it up with an enhanced re-release, Ninja Gaiden Black -- a game that proved even more strenuous with a series of new challenges to complete (along with the much-feared Ninja Dog difficulty level). Now a third edition appears set to debut on the PlayStation 3 this summer with Ninja Gaiden Sigma.

Many of Gaiden's original strengths remain in place with Sigma. Ryu Hayabusa, the game's main star, once again returns to carve evil a new orifice. Ninjas, demons, robotic terrors, bone dragons and other unspeakable things stand in his way, forcing him to use the legendary Dragon Sword to cut them down. The game play should remain mostly the same, with players able to perform lightning-quick combos and an array of blood-spurting moves. However, Sigma does introduce a fun little play tactic specifically made for the SIXAXIS controller. When players shake the Sony pad while pulling off one of Ryu's Ninpo attacks, the effect of the power grows tremendously. What starts out as a small boost of flame soon emerges into a raging fireball -- the kind Ryu needs in order to survive the level.

Instead of just being stuck with the usual two-handed blade and other small weapons, Ryu gains access to a pair of stylish samurai swords called the Nito blades. With these, he can dish out double the damage, unleashing a new set of moves while keeping his ninjitsu style and grace intact. Other weapons can be accessed as well, although Tecmo has remained mum on what Ryu has access to. It'd be cool to flip around some nunchucks, furiously pounding enemies into walls and building combos into the double-digits.

The most significant addition to Sigma, however, comes in the ability to play as Rachel. Through a set of specific levels, players will take control of the buxom blonde, armed with her own fighting style and a rather impressive weapon. Her war hammer looks like a cross between the Grim Reaper's scythe and a sledgehammer, packing a tremendous amount of force while also remaining sharp enough to cut some poor sap into quarters. Not only is she beautiful, she can also take down enemies just as well as Ryu.

Ninja Gaiden Sigma includes various remixed missions to complete. One particular stage pits Ryu against the gun-toting blimp boss from the original game, Dynamo. This time around, however, he has an all-new devastating attack where missiles rain down from the sky, putting Ryu's artful dodging to its greatest test.

Finally, the third Ninja Gaiden takes advantage of the PS3's graphic processing power as some of the new environments look spectacular. One example showed off a burning temple, with flames exploding all around Ryu as he fights off a group of enemies. Another level shows off an exquisite underground temple where demons and a few mechanical flying terrors face off against Ryu as water splashes around his feet. Some of the details still need polishing, but Team Ninja has plenty of time before the game's June release.

While the wait for Ninja Gaiden II grows more difficult (and who knows for how long), players should find themselves content with this summer's Ninja Gaiden Sigma. The game's visuals should be the best to date for the series, and the inclusion of Rachel and twin blades helps keep things fresh. Just make sure to keep the SIXAXIS controller well padded -- no Ninja Gaiden game is easy, and this one won't break the trend.