Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
Ninja Gaiden II Black
Release Date: January 23, 2025
Action, TPP, ninja, remaster/remake, slasher, Game Pass, singleplayer
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
AltChar: 85 / 100 by Tahmid Shihab
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a must-play for all beat 'em up, hack-and-slash fans. With exceptional combat mechanics, a great story, and a classic gameplay formula, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black smashes it out of the park in my books.
Cubed3: 8 / 10 by Az Elias
Purists may lament that this isn't a true update of the original Ninja Gaiden II, as Ninja Gaiden II Black uses the Sigma 2 port as its base, but what has been put together here is still an incredibly fulfilling hack and slash action game that absolutely is one of the best in the genre. In a time where more and more franchises are going down the open and freer route, this is a reminder that a more linear and confined approach works wonders for this type of game.
NookGaming: 9 / 10 by Isaiah Parker
Yes, Ninja Gaiden is well and truly back. Despite a few frustrations with the game not being as faithful as it could have been to the original Ninja Gaiden II, Ninja Gaiden II Black is still about as good as action games tend to get. A glorious facelift makes combat hit even harder, and some subtle but smart adjustments to balance and boss arrangements make it more exciting and less frustrating than its Sigma 2 counterpart. If you’ve heard of Ninja Gaiden but don’t know where to start, let it be here. You simply haven’t lived until you’ve Izuna Dropped an enemy’s head clean off. The original Ninja Gaiden Black is my favorite action game ever made, and I’m happy to say its sequel mostly manages to live up.
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 users 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 users
- 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: Users 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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