You’d determine that with the recognition of FromSoftware video games and the Soulslike style, Ninja Gaiden would have a spot in mainstream gaming as we speak. Sadly, that is not the case.
We’ve not seen a brand new Ninja Gaiden sport launch in over a decade. Tremendous ninja Ryu Hayabusa has been, sadly, caught on the sidelines.
It is a disgrace, as 2004’s Ninja Gaiden is without doubt one of the greatest 3D motion video games of all time. Its fast-paced motion and brutal issue challenged gamers in methods few 3D motion video games can. The next yr, Ninja Gaiden Black acted as a director’s minimize of types, including in new content material and perfecting an already almost good sport.
We would see a correct follow-up three years later: Ninja Gaiden 2 for the Xbox 360. It improved the sport’s fight and made issues extra accessible, nevertheless it had just a few flaws. Like the unique, Ninja Gaiden 2 would see a follow-up the next yr, nevertheless it wasn’t a director’s minimize.
Ninja Gaiden 2 Sigma added new story content material but in addition launched some controversial adjustments: lowered enemy counts and a scarcity of gore for the PlayStation 3 model.
Lastly, 15 years later, Group Ninja is addressing the problems of Sigma. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is not good, nevertheless it borrows the precise mixture of gameplay options from the 2 releases and is properly price testing as we put together for Ninja Gaiden 4 later this yr.
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Is An Glorious Strategy to Reintroduce the Sequence
One in all Ninja Gaiden 2 Black’s strengths is its mixture of quality-of-life accessibility updates and staying true to the Ninja Gaiden formulation. Now, do not suppose this sport is tremendous straightforward abruptly. It could not method Darkish Souls or Elden Ring when it comes to issue, however it’s going to nonetheless check your limits.
The Ninja Gaiden franchise has at all times centered extra on its fast-paced, high-speed motion sequences. Suppose Bloodborne or Sekiro, however with the amount cranked up. If you happen to attempt to method fight in Ninja Gaiden 2 Black the identical manner you do as a Soulslike, you’ll be eaten alive.
Enemies assault quick and livid, even avoiding the favored online game pitfall of ready their flip. Do not go in anticipating enemies to assault you one after the other: they may crew up, dodge with objective, and will not combat truthful.
That mentioned, there’s nonetheless a lowered variety of enemies in comparison with the unique launch. Is that this a make-or-break state of affairs? That each one is dependent upon your choice. You will nonetheless be surrounded by hordes of enemies, particularly when the sport’s issue curve will get cranked up out of nowhere.
Personally, I’ve at all times been detached about this alteration. Ninja Gaiden is greatest when you possibly can chain combos and really feel like a god. Having mentioned that, typically, the sport felt just a little too unfair.
Paradoxically, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black‘s most unfair moments happen within the sport’s boss battles, when some resolve they will be far tougher than something you have beforehand encountered. Nonetheless, easy trial and error will get the job executed, and much faster than you could be used to when you’re coming from the Soulslike style.
One Of Sigma’s Most Controversial Adjustments Is Gone
Regardless of the lowered enemy rely, Group Ninja made one drastic change: the reintroduction of blood and gore.
It feels much like the over-the-top glory kills featured within the 2016 reboot of DOOM. The cinematic motion, that includes glory kills by Ryu or devastating assaults from his enemies, had been at all times there. With the sport being overhauled in Unreal Engine 5, although, they’ve by no means regarded higher.
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black reminds us why the franchise was previously the gold commonplace for 3D motion. It is quick, livid, and a bloody good time.
Better of all, each weapon has its personal animations, and glory kills. You will go from slicing up your enemy’s limbs with the Dragon Sword, throwing them up within the air and slamming them onto the bottom with the Lunar Employees, or ripping their heads off with the Kusari-Gama. It helps maintain issues recent, particularly since completely different conditions will name for various weapons.
They’re additionally fairly well-balanced, too. Relying in your playstyle, you will definitely have your favorites; Lunar Employees and Kusari-Gama had been my go-to weapons.
A Evident Difficulty Stays
Regardless of all of the adjustments, one downside nonetheless persists: the sport’s digital camera. It doesn’t matter what the sport throws at you, and it’ll throw the kitchen sink your manner, there isn’t any boss tougher than the digital camera.
There have been too many instances that poor digital camera placement left me unable to see my enemies, resulting in deaths that weren’t my fault. Moreover, a number of boss battles prominently characteristic provides that must be handled.
Nonetheless, the shortage of the flexibility to lock onto enemies, mixed with the unhealthy digital camera system, signifies that you will spend a lot time looking for them that you will overlook a large boss is wailing in your physique.
For a sport that is dependent upon fast reflexes, it is an enormous detriment. Half of your deaths on the tougher encounters might be fully out of your fingers. For a sport that is already difficult, it is one thing that I actually want was addressed.
Outdated-Faculty 3D Motion Can Nonetheless Impress Right now
The digital camera is not the one factor that hasn’t been up to date in Ninja Gaiden 2 Black. This sport remains to be very a lot a product of its time. Take into account comparable motion video games of the mid-to-late 2000s: none come near evaluating when it comes to controls, gameplay, and issue.
Flash ahead a decade, and the sport has modified: FromSoftware dominates the land, even when its fight is much slower-paced. Having the ability to lock onto enemies, really feel your parries and blocks, and correctly strategize in opposition to your enemies makes a world of distinction.
The closest comparability of a FromSoftware sport to Ninja Gaiden is Sekiro, however they’re in the end two various things.
I’ve at all times considered fight in Sekiro as a sublime dance between you and your opponent. Its coronary heart and soul stem from conventional fight in Darkish Souls, emphasizing parrying assaults and breaking your enemy’s posture. Regardless of being faster-paced, it is nonetheless a marathon.
Ninja Gaiden stays a full-blown dash to the end. Sure, you possibly can dodge and block enemy assaults, however your enemies will not let up. They will attempt to kill you simply as quick as you are making an attempt to kill them.
Even the sport’s tougher encounters run on the shorter aspect. That is not essentially a foul factor; it is simply completely different. And sure, the downright terrible digital camera and lack of a lock-on system may be irritating, however I do not suppose it makes the sport unplayable.
Closing Ideas: Due to the return of the infamously poor digital camera system, it isn’t the “definitive version” Group Ninja hoped for. And sure, there’s nonetheless a lowered variety of enemies in comparison with the unique, however I discover that inconsequential. On the finish of the day, regardless of its considerably dated gameplay, I used to be nonetheless impressed by the point the credit rolled. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black reminds us why the franchise was previously the gold commonplace for 3D motion. It is quick, livid, and a bloody good time. I can not consider a greater strategy to put together for Ninja Gaiden 4.
Reviewed on Xbox Sequence X
- Launched
- January 23, 2025
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Suggestive Themes, Partial Nudity, Sturdy Language
- Developer(s)
- Koei Tecmo Video games Co., Ltd.
- Writer(s)
- Koei Tecmo Video games Co., Ltd.
- The fast-paced motion and love remains to be an absolute blast to play
- Blood and gore are usually not solely again, however absolutely embraced
- A superb stability between issue and accessibility
- The digital camera system remains to be unhealthy
- Some platforming sections are annoying
- The problem curve spikes out of nowhere on a few events