Review of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black

Toward the climax of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, you find yourself walking through the reversed version of the opening level from the original Ninja Gaiden. It’s a sequence I could navigate blindfolded, having conquered it countless times thanks to a demo disc from twenty years ago, gradually mastering the first boss, Murai, without taking damage. Although this new iteration doesn’t quite take you to the very start of that classic stage, the environment has clearly aged. It’s a shadow of its former self, visibly worn from the passage of time and the tumult of the previous game. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black never spells this out for you. Ryu walks on in silence about it, and the camera doesn’t make a fuss. It’s a rare touch of subtlety for the series, and yet, running through those old haunts brought a wide grin to my face. Just like the remake itself, even if it’s not entirely the same, the thrill of cutting through foes remains delightful.

This moment really captures the essence of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, an Unreal Engine 5 reimagining of 2008’s Ninja Gaiden 2, a standout from the Xbox 360 era. Touted by Team Ninja as the ultimate edition of the game, blending a breathtaking visual overhaul with refined gameplay balance, it succeeds as a visual masterpiece. But to call it the definitive end-all version might be overstating it. Much like Ryu’s own arsenal, the game is a double-edged sword with its changes.

Before diving into what Ninja Gaiden 2 Black lacks, let’s focus on what it offers. It’s an “Action Jackson” kind of game—a 3D beat-em-up where combat is the main attraction. Like its predecessors, it’s set a year after the Xbox reboot. Ryu Hayabusa faces the Black Spider Ninja Clan and the Greater Fiends, who have joined forces to unleash the Archfiend. With some help from allies and the CIA, Ryu is the sole barrier against this apocalypse. This story is merely a vehicle for visiting exotic locations and engaging in epic battles against monsters and ninjas, rather than a deeply woven narrative.

But oh, the humor! Greater Fiends spout Shakespeare via Steve Blum’s voice, you battle a lightning dude on the Statue of Liberty, and a massive, four-armed werewolf named Volf drags you to Venice’s colosseum for a showdown. He rallies the werewolves: “Who wants him dead?” Then, pumped full of bravado, he shouts, “Who will kill him?” With uproarious support from his furry brethren, Volf proudly asserts, “I, Volf, shall kill him!” And there you are, dueling a beastly werewolf backed by a howling crowd. Friends, this is true camp at its finest.

Yet, you’re not here for the camp. You’re here for the pulse-pounding combat, and Ninja Gaiden 2 Black more than delivers. The game’s signature is dismembering adversaries—by skillfully removing limbs, you can then execute those still wriggling their stumps. Injured foes, while easier to finish off, also become more lethal, launching themselves at you in kamikaze attacks.

Enemies are relentless, a far cry from standing in queues like in many beat-em-ups. They’re ferocious, unyielding, and they’re on a mission to obliterate you. But hey, they’re up against Ryu. Ryu is a one-man army; packing no less than nine melee weapons, three ranged options, and four forms of Ninja magic (Ninpo) by the campaign’s end. Each weapon boasts unique combos and mastery techniques. There’s nothing quite like lopping off heads with a Flying Swallow, chaining flail strikes across a half-dozen foes, or executing the devastating Izuna Drop—slamming enemies to earth so hard they explode.

Ryu’s craftsmanship resembles a fighting game character, complete with intricate combos, blocks, dodges, special moves, and counters. He’s a ninja, after all! Leaping off walls to strike, jumping on foes, and tossing them with neck-breaking finesse—it’s all part of the repertoire.

Recent action titles rely on parries or invincibility frames, but Ninja Gaiden 2 Black’s strength lies elsewhere. It’s a matter of positioning, aggressive play, and commanding your array of weapons and moves. Prioritizing threats—be it dismembered foes, casting enemies from afar, or colossal werewolves—demands swift and decisive action.

At its pinnacle, combat feels like conducting a lethal symphony, stringing together combos, evading enemies, and simultaneously charging powerful Ultimate Techniques. Ryu reigns supreme, dispatching foes eager to best him, akin to a parade of would-be John Wick assassins. While on top of your game, it’s exhilarating. But slip, and death is swift. Mastering the combat is imperative to progress.

Despite its intensity, it doesn’t strangle players with difficulty. Save points reset health bars, and mid-fight healing options exist. Even in dire straits, vanquish foes for blue Essence to replenish health. There’s always hope.

Yet, perfection escapes even Ninja Gaiden 2 Black. The camera, occasionally erratic, gets caught in awkward angles and obscures combat. It’s manageable but can discombobulate in close quarters.

The bosses present another issue. While some like Volf are imaginative and thrilling, others drag or force unnatural fighting styles, diminishing the engaging system at Ninja Gaiden 2’s core. Familiar fights like Genshin come at you multiple times, wearing thin the novelty of even enjoyable encounters.

Between skirmishes, explore corridors hiding health boosts, Ninpo upgrades, and secrets. This is where 2 Black’s visual enhancements shine the brightest. Character models dazzle, textured environments mesmerize, and ambitious world design impresses. Platforming sections inject variety and enjoyment, particularly the audacious acrobatics in sequences like the clock tower.

In the grand scheme, though, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black’s achilles’ heel is its reliance on 2009’s Sigma 2 rather than the original 360 version. This shift introduces profound differences. Sigma 2 revises enemy numbers, refines levels, and transforms weapon mechanics, along with adding unique story chapters with fresh characters—Rachel, Momiji, and Ayane.

Original Ninja Gaiden II’s combat sees dense battlefields, reducing you to a whirlwind of blades against hordes—framerate woes visible on Xbox 360 still exist, but with nostalgia in mind. 2 Black’s approach limits how many baddies it throws your way but compensates with tougher, albeit less fierce, foes. Combat scenarios occasionally feel like trudging through molasses; duels that once thrilled now sometimes slog.

Testing 2 Black’s waters on Normal (formerly Easy), the game felt deliberate compared to the swift original Ninja Gaiden II. Revisiting Ryu’s 360 adventure, combat was brisker and more dynamic. Facing more enemies, shredding through battalions, and being in perpetual momentum enhance the experience.

The combat’s legacy is polarizing; blocking opponents unexpectedly halts combos, deviating from the original mechanics. It imperfectly recaptures Ninja Gaiden Black energy, making incongruous moments jarring.

Nevertheless, 2 Black triumphs in areas like gore reintroduction and the Essence-centric weapon upgrading, true to the original. Combining screen vibes with aesthetic nostalgia, it’s minor in impact but crucial for steadfast fans.

Scrapping unimpressive Sigma 2 additions like the colossal Buddha and Liberty bosses while retaining potent inclusions adds to 2 Black’s merit. Enemies are manageable, somewhat bridging the gap with the original while staying distinct from Sigma 2.

Sigma 2’s perks linger, too. Rachel, Momiji, and Ayane bring fun, albeit without Ryu’s deep customization. They remain admirable and lethal, sporting their distinct capabilities. While character transitions can feel jolting, they’re a welcome pace shift.

Completing the campaign earns costumes and chapter replays, although 2 Black skimps on online leaderboards and a much-missed New Game Plus mode. Co-op missions, now AI-assisted, expand gameplay bits for dedicated fans while Hero difficulty offers a softer entry for new players.

Bugs plague 2 Black sporadically, minor interruptions amid its grandeur. A particular door glitch left murmuring projectile ninjas amusingly locked in a train, a minor chuckle wrapped in wry inconvenience, requiring backtracking for a fix.

All in all, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black offers a nostalgic rollercoaster ride. Standing on Sigma 2’s shoulders provides bold stabs at modernization, yet occasionally muffs the pendulum’s swing to perfect equilibrium. Visual poise and notable combat thrills ensure a demanding, albeit occasionally cumbersome journey through the annals of Ninja Gaiden folklore.