
Wow, KOEI TECMO, First Dynasty Warriors and now a stealth drop for NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black. It returns with a new engine and newer, better visuals. Once again, step into the tabi (shoes) of Ryu Hayabusa. As he aims to stop the return of the Great Archfiend at any cost. If you’re looking for a fun and challenging hack & slash game, then you can pick it up on the PSN store for £39.99. A side note for those unaware they did also announce NINJA GAIDEN 4.
Warning! This article contains GIFs with flashing images.
Those of the Dragon lineage are not so easily forgotten.

I have played the franchise NINJA GAIDEN before and specifically this title twice. Once was on PSvita and another time a little more recently with the PS3 Remastered collection. The gameplay is something I enjoy, but the challenge I do tend to have mixed feelings on. The weapon variety it offers and how the game actually plays reminds me of God of War more than anything. And the demon mixed with the modern day is what draws me the most.
Gameplay
NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black’s story is the traditional hero saves the world from an oncoming threat. So I won’t really talk about the story. The game doesn’t focus on stats and builds. Instead, you’ll pull off combos and dismember foes all while trying not to get decimated yourself. I know the bosses in the game are good at showing I can’t pull off combos to save my life.

There are a couple of weapons you’ll collect throughout the story, all of which are upgradable to level 3. The starting weapon is the Iconic Dragon Sword, while later on you’re able to get a scythe which is great to use. Ranged weapons are also in the game, but the melee is where the action is. Combos are the key to combat, as they will help you quickly dispatch enemies, also you look epic doing them. One of my favourites to pull off is the Izuna Drop.
Other characters and using Ninpo
Although Ryu is the main character, you will play as other people throughout NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black. Each one gets their own weapons and combos. If I recall, these chapters were originally added to Sigma. Besides that, the player will also get a special Ninja Arts called Ninpo. While the other characters such as Momiji or Rachel get one. Ryu gets four to use. Ninja Arts are handy when needing to deal good damage. For example, Void a high-damage ball of energy that can go through enemies.

Graphics & Audio
I believe NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black does incredible justice to the original. The audio is sharp, and the general textures are brilliant. The lighting is incredible, the water and grass physics look great, and the hair textures look even better than before. I particularly love the way an area later in the game looks, with the way the fleshy walls, bones, blood and cartilage looked shiny, uncomfortably moist and bloody.

Dismemberment features much more heavily. While it was present before, now there’s the added detail of the limbs flying and landing all over the place. Blood now splatters all over walls and the ground nearby, and finishing moves end in far more brutal ways. Speaking of extra blood, I even noticed in some cutscenes that added blood and blood splatter when someone was being stabbed and such, which is another satisfyingly gruesome detail (they wanted to bring home the words hack and slash!).
To me, this remake allows the player to see the game as the developers may have wanted to present it, beyond its limitations years ago, without spoiling what it once was.
Longevity
I finally beat NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black again after over nine hours and seventeen chapters. I played on Acolyte difficulty and still struggled at the start, so God knows what hell awaits on the harder difficulties. But if you are not in a rush to replay the story, try Tag Missions.

Final Thoughts
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 remembered 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.
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.
I did also review Dynasty Warriors: Origins, so why not check it out?
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