Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is an enhanced and expanded version of Ninja Gaiden II, originally released on the Xbox 360 in 2008. The game enhances the experience by including changes in Sigma 2 but also includes some aspects of the game removed in that version, including the gore and dismemberment, along with an increased enemy count. However, it also excludes some aspects of the original game.
Team Ninja has brought this action-packed sequel to PC and modern consoles, specifically PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. It is built on Unreal Engine 5 and refines the experience with upgraded visuals and gameplay tweaks. As part of the Ninja Gaiden franchise, Ninja Gaiden Black aims to deliver an intense, fast-paced action experience that tests the player’s reflexes and combat prowess.
An Unchanged Story
The narrative in Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 remains largely unchanged from Ninja Gaiden II. Players step into the shoes of Ryu Hayabusa, the legendary ninja from the Dragon Lineage, as he embarks on a mission to stop the resurrection of the Archfiend, a powerful demon capable of immense destruction. The story takes Ryu across various locations, from the streets of Tokyo to the ruins of South America, as he faces off against Fiends, rival ninja clans, and supernatural forces.
While Ninja Gaiden games are not particularly known for their deep storytelling, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black does attempt to flesh out its world by introducing three playable female characters: Rachel, Ayane, and Momiji. Each of these characters gets their own unique missions, offering brief but enjoyable gameplay diversions. These additions, while welcome, do not significantly alter the overall narrative, which still largely serves as a backdrop for the intense combat sequences. While the game’s story is entertaining in its own right, I found it less engaging to play and see through to the end compared to Sigma. I admittedly had more fun messing around with the game’s challenge mode. Fighting waves of enemies of varying types, I constantly tried to beat one high score after another.
Familiar Gameplay
In terms of gameplay, the Ninja Gaiden series is defined by its brutal, high-speed combat, and Black retains much of what made its predecessors thrilling. The game features a deep and rewarding combat system that allows players to string combos together using various weapons. Ryu’s arsenal includes classic weapons like the Dragon Sword, Lunar Staff, and Claws, each with its own unique moveset and advantages. Adding new weapons and improvements to existing ones make the combat feel fresh and dynamic. Ninja Gaiden II was infamous for its over-the-top violence, with enemies losing limbs and blood splattering across the screen. While Sigma 2 removed many of these features, Black brings the dismemberment back, giving the game its flair and maintaining its signature brutal and gory appeal.
Another notable adjustment is the enemy placement and difficulty balance. The original Ninja Gaiden II was notorious for its relentless difficulty, sometimes overwhelming players with enemy swarms. Sigma 2 scaled back the enemy count in some areas but compensated with tougher, more aggressive AI. However, with Black, the enemy count has been increased, though notably not to the same extent as the original. Regardless, this new edition enhances the experience and makes the game feel like the original while having the new changes.
Aside from the main story, the game also features a Mission Mode, which provides a series of combat-focused challenges. These missions test the player’s mastery of the combat mechanics and offer a way to enjoy the game outside the main story. The additional playable characters—Ayane, Momiji, and Rachel—each have unique play styles that provide variety, though their missions are relatively short compared to Ryu’s.
What The Remaster Offers
Unfortunately, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black doesn’t include the online modes from the previous version. The remaster includes the tag team mission, but only with NPCs and not with humans online. The game also includes the “HERO PLAY STYLE” mode that provides automatic support in challenging situations, making it accessible for those not used to playing action games.
The soundtrack in Black 2 complements the action-packed gameplay well, with intense, high-energy tracks that fit the fast-paced combat sequences. The sound effects are crisp, making each weapon strike feel impactful. While not the highlight of the game, voice acting is serviceable, with Ryu and other characters delivering their lines effectively.
In terms of visuals, the difference in image resolution with Ninja Gaiden Black 2 is much more noticeable than its original counterpart. The images are sharper, especially when playing on more powerful hardware. The stages, characters, effects, and lighting have been completely redesigned and remastered to provide realistic visuals. Unreal Engine 5 has been utilized to create stunning current-generation graphics, allowing players to immerse themselves more deeply in the story’s world. The game also performs excellently on PlayStation 5 with no glitches or bugs.
Final Thoughts
Final ThoughtsNinja Gaiden 2 Black is a solid remaster of a great game in the series that refines and expands upon the foundation laid by Ninja Gaiden II. The improved visuals, additional characters, and refined combat make it an engaging experience for fans of action games. However, some of the changes, such as the lack of multiplayer, may not sit well with purists.
The Review
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a solid remaster of a great game in the series that refines and expands upon the foundation laid by Ninja Gaiden II. The improved visuals, additional characters, and refined combat make it an engaging experience for fans of action games. However, some of the changes, such as the lack of multiplayer, may not sit well with purists.
PROS
- Great new visuals
- Amazing combat
CONS
- Some necessary content is excluded
