OpenCritic
Steam
A remastered version of the renowned TPP slasher from 2008. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black features new content and the game runs on Unreal Engine 5. We can play as Ryu Hayabusa, travelling the worlds of humans and demons. The protagonist faces many enemies, using katana, shurikens and supernatural powers to deal with them.
Ninja Gaiden II Black is a remaster of Ninja Gaiden II slasher game from 2008, enriched with additional content. The company Koei Tecmo, which oversees the brand, is responsible for the development and release of this new version.
Story
The action of Ninja Gaiden II takes place a year after the events depicted in the previous game under this banner. We play as Ryu Hayabusa in the game - a ninja warrior, whose task is to avenge the attack on his clan and prevent the return of a demonic ruler threatening the whole world. Along the way, the protagonist meets allies, and also discovers secrets related to his past and the history of his clan.
Gameplay
In Ninja Gaiden II Black the action is viewed from a third-person perspective (TPP). The adventure leads us through a series of locations, among which we can find both contemporary cities (like Tokyo or New York), as well as an underground realm of demons.
Combat system
During the gameplay, we mainly deal with fighting opponents. On the battlefield, we must not only perform quick attacks, merging them into spectacular combinations, but also demonstrate agility and reflexes, performing dodges and parrying blows, as well as launching accurate counterattacks. This is important because the enemies we face have the same capabilities, which makes the battles challenging and forces us to observe the targets in order to detect their weak points and gaps in defense in time.
On the battlefield, Ryu uses a katana, as well as a wide range of other melee weapons. In addition, he can rely on magical spells, shurikens and a bow, which allows him to keep enemies at a distance. Interestingly, the game features elements of gore (which can be turned off) - the protagonist is able to cut off the limbs of adversaries, thus brutally killing them or drastically weakening them.
Health regeneration
As Ryu progresses, he accumulates essence (in the form of colorful energy balls), which allows him to heal himself, regenerate ki (enabling the use of supernatural powers), or use powerful attacks. The game has implemented automatic health regeneration, but when Ryu takes damage, his health bar gradually decreases, and the only way to restore it to its original state is by using herbs and statues.
Changes and additional content
While working on Ninja Gaiden II Black, the authors focused on the aforementioned elements of gore, which underwent a makeover. In addition, the whole was enriched with additional characters (Momiji, Ayane and Rachel), as well as the Hero Play Style mode, where certain actions (like blocking blows) are automated, which significantly reduces the difficulty level.
Graphics and engine
Ninja Gaiden II Black runs on Unreal Engine 5. The location designs, character models, and lighting have undergone a thorough refresh.
Videos and Screens
[1:15] Ninja Gaiden 2 Black - Game Overview
[1:33] Ninja Gaiden 2 Black - Announcement Trailer
Thumb Culture: 5 / 5
The game still plays great for me, even after all this time. Combos take some getting used to. And learning to defend better is something you should learn very early on. There are times I feel that the game is tedious rather than challenging. One example is the Water Dragon (that is its name). But I’ve always ed dreading that fight, anyway. I was a little disappointed that they had removed two bosses from this version. One is the giant Buddha on the first level and the Statue of Liberty. There were two fights I loved in NINJA GAIDEN 2 Sigma. And with all that said, if you’ve played it before, you won’t be disappointed. If this is your first entry into the franchise before 4 drops, then all I can say is if you like challenge, enjoy. If not, play on a lower difficulty and have fun. I was gonna be petty and give it the Gold Award for removing the fights mentioned above. But I just couldn’t. So instead I’m awarding NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black, the well-deserved Platinum Award.
Checkpoint Gaming: 8.5 / 10 by Charlie Kelly
An incredible video game seventeen years ago and an incredible video game now, Ninja Gaiden II Black is an immensely strong and timeless action game. All these years later its combat animation, diverse arsenal of weapons and setpieces are unmatched. Though there's still the issue of it not quite being the most definitive version, this 3D reboot run of the Ninja Gaiden franchise is as relevant as ever. around the time of this trilogy when the age-old debate was whether pirates or ninjas would win in a fight? You simply need to look no further than Ryu and his friends in their blood-soaked glory.
Push Square: 6 / 10 by Aaron Bayne
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black reminds us of our younger years, essentially playing through a cheesy action movie with over-the-top violence, cool looking vistas, and a ridiculous story. In parts, it’s fun to play something you can just enjoy for what it is, without the need to delve into overly deep combat systems.
The main pros of the game
- Enhanced Graphics: The game utilizes Unreal Engine 5, providing significantly improved visuals compared to previous versions.
- Return of Gore and Dismemberment: Players appreciate the restoration of blood and dismemberment mechanics that were absent in the Sigma versions.
- Solid Combat Mechanics: The combat remains fast-paced and engaging, retaining the depth and satisfaction of previous Ninja Gaiden titles.
- Quality of Life Improvements: Features like customizable controls, camera assists, and improved performance options (e.g., DLSS, ray tracing) enhance the overall experience.
- Increased Enemy Count in Some Areas: While still less than the original, some players noted an increase in enemy spawns compared to Sigma 2.
- Nostalgic Elements: Many fans appreciate the return of classic gameplay elements and the familiar soundtrack.
The main cons of the game
- Misleading Marketing: Many players feel the game is misrepresented as a definitive version of Ninja Gaiden 2 when it is primarily based on Sigma 2, leading to disappointment among long-time fans.
- Missing Content: Features such as the "Tests of Valor," certain weapons (like the windmill shuriken), and co-op modes are absent, which frustrates players expecting a fuller experience.
- Reduced Difficulty: The game is perceived as easier than the original Ninja Gaiden 2, with some players finding it lacks the challenge that defined the original.
- Input Lag and Performance Issues: Some s report significant input lag and performance problems, particularly on high-end systems, detracting from the gameplay experience.
- Sparse Enemy Spawns: While some areas have more enemies, many players still feel that overall enemy counts are too low compared to the original.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to s
- No NG+ Mode: Players express disappointment over the absence of a New Game Plus mode that would allow replaying with all weapons from the start.
- Lack of Original Content: Many costumes, bosses, and game modes from previous versions are missing, including the "Ninja Race" mode and various character-specific missions.
- No Survival or Co-op Modes: Players miss the cooperative gameplay and survival modes that were present in earlier versions.
- Inconsistent Enemy Behavior: Some players note that enemy AI and spawn behavior do not reflect the chaotic nature of the original game, making encounters feel less dynamic.
- Camera Issues: s report problems with camera controls, which can hinder gameplay, especially during intense combat situations.
Summary
- Overall, while "NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black" has been praised for its graphics and combat, many fans feel it falls short of being the definitive version of the original game due to missing content and perceived ease.
Summary generated on:
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Summary
Game Series: Ninja Gaiden
Platforms:
PC Windows
PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X/S
Developer: Koei Tecmo
Publisher: Koei Tecmo
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: (720p, 60 fps) Intel Core i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 5 3400G, 12 GB RAM, graphic card 6 GB GeForce GTX 1060 / 8 GB Radeon RX 590, 85 GB SSD, Windows 10/11 64-bit
Recommended: (1080p, 60 fps) Intel Core i7-8700 / AMD Ryzen 5 3600 XT, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 8 GB GeForce GTX 1080 / Radeon RX 5700 XT, 85 GB SSD, Windows 10/11 64-bit
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