In 2021, I got to review and fall in love with the Ninja Gaiden series. Fast forward three odd years and I get to review a reworked version of a re-worked version (Sigma) of my favourite one, Ninja Gaiden 2: Black.
Hayabusa is back in the house
Like in the Sigma version, Ninja Gaiden 2: Black throws you straight into the action. To be fair, action is this game’s middle name. As per usual, the Hayabusa Village is being destroyed by a rival faction. Up steps the last Dragon ninja, Ryu Hayabusa, to go home and sort out the Black Spider Ninjas once and for all. I will not get into the story as I already covered it here in my Sigma review.
What makes this version special is the combat. If you are into frantic, hack-and-slash titles, then you have either played the Ninja Gaiden series already or you definitely should. The fights are fast, fluid, and brutally precise, everything you want from a ninja. Not only that, but the violence and blood are almost comical in parts, but to me, it just brings the whole old-school feel together for me.
Every battle tests your skills and by god does it punish you for every little mistake. You, like Ryu, must master all the techniques of not only your skill set but your enemies. Once you do unlock a new weapon or chain attack, you will be looking to take on everyone and everything that stands in your way.
Ninja Gaiden 2: Black – Less is more
Ninja Gaiden 2: Black looks and feels a million euros. They have ramped up the visuals and cut scenes to 11 which makes replaying the title worth it. What I did like was how they dialled back the amount of enemies than in Simga. The game felt less like a flurry of blades, fireballs and arrows to you really need to think about how you approach your foe. I’m not saying they made it easier, if anything it felt a bit tougher because the enemies were.
To help out in your fight, there is a great upgrade system. Throughout the game, you collect essence, which is the currency of the game. This can be spent at Muramasa’s shop, and as per all games, you can upgrade weapons, purchase new techniques, and various health-restoring items. The weapons are beautifully violent and each has its killing death move, they are gory and very satisfying to watch. All the techniques will come in handy, but like the weapons, you will find a favourite and upgrade it to the hilt.
Ageing and struggling in parts
While Black looks and feels great, the old camera problem is still there. The struggle with the camera angle is frustrating at times, especially in tight spaces and bouncing up and along walls. I hoped that they would at least try and do something in this regard, but I was disappointed.
Other than that, I can fault Ninja Gaiden 2: Black. It’s not a complete re-work but it plays and looks better. It is a must-play if you are a fan, and with Ninja Gaiden 4 coming soon it is a great way to blow the cobwebs off.
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