Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a taste of peak action gaming with just a few missing ingredients

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2021 promises to be a mouthwatering year for enthusiasts of action-packed Ninja Gaiden games. Not only are we anticipating two versions – 3D and 2D – with the releases of Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Game Kitchen’s Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, but Team Ninja has surprised us all by sneakily releasing a remastered version, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, under the powerful Unreal Engine 5. This revamped version is indeed impressive, offering a 3D take on the beloved Ninja Gaiden series. However, die-hard fans seeking the pinnacle of Ninja Gaiden 2 might find it slightly lacking in terms of absolute perfection.

Pick up the Dragon Blade once more

In this updated version of Ninja Gaiden 2, known as Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, we find another rendition in the ongoing sequence of the game series. Since its initial launch on Xbox 360, this game has been remastered multiple times and undergone several updates, some of which have been met with approval while others have sparked debate. The most significant modification here is the transition to the Unreal Engine. This engine upgrade gives Ryu Hayabusa a sharper, more refined appearance as he skillfully navigates through hordes of adversaries and beasts on his mission to safeguard the holy Demon Statue and expel the Fiends that were once guarded by the statue and threatened our world.

In summary, players will navigate through extended levels filled with diverse opponents, gathering weapons, equipment, and boosts along the way, leading up to fierce confrontations with challenging bosses. The gameplay remains as smooth and sharp as before. Ryu swiftly dispatches enemies, creating splashes of blood that mark the scenery while he devastates foes using stronger weaponry and stylish combo attacks. It’s incredibly satisfying (a compliment) to launch an opponent into the air, slice them, and then seize them for a crushing Izuna Drop… when the move successfully connects.

This issue reveals some imperfections in its performance. It’s not flawless and occasionally encounters delays or displays unusual visual effects during transitions from cutscenes to action sequences. Moreover, there seems to be a glitch where enemies may unexpectedly drop out of combos with weapons such as the Falcon’s Talons, making the Izuna Drop combo inconsistent against most enemies. Additionally, the frame rate might dip slightly in cutscenes or high-action situations with numerous elements on screen, but this was relatively uncommon.

Although there are minor flaws, this game generally shines as an impressive blend of visual and mechanical artistry in the realm of action games. The combos, defense, evasion, and variety of weapons all deliver a satisfying experience, and even on standard mode, the enemies will consistently challenge your combat skills. To ease any concerns about its difficulty, it’s worth noting that there’s a new Hero Mode designed to make the game more approachable for novice players.

Ninja Gaiden as you remember… Kinda

For longtime players of Ninja Gaiden 2, a noticeable difference is that this new version bears more resemblance to Ninja Gaiden 2 Sigma than the original, yet it doesn’t encompass all of Sigma’s elements. In simpler terms, while playing Ninja Gaiden 2 Sigma, Team Ninja introduced several new elements such as three extra chapters, the option to play as characters other than Ryu Hayabusa, additional bosses, and so on. The updated version, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, retains all these features and even introduces a new boss not found in Sigma or the original. Furthermore, it offers mouse and keyboard support for the first time in the game’s history.

Regrettably, not all features from the original and Sigma versions were retained in Black. Among these, the online co-op multiplayer mode was absent, which had been present in both previous games. Additionally, one of the main criticisms players have leveled at Sigma is that to enhance the game’s gore and blood, the developers decreased the number of enemies and boosted the power of the existing ones. Consequently, even in expansive areas, you’ll typically encounter no more than five foes on your screen. Moreover, this adjustment also made it harder for players to dismember enemies, making them more resilient to damage and challenging to defeat in an attempt to maintain balance within the game.

While these changes might not significantly impact the overall enjoyment of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black for most players, they could potentially diminish the experience for dedicated fans who have followed the series closely. Newcomers are unlikely to perceive these differences greatly.

A taste of things to come

Essentially, it’s been some time since Ninja Gaiden had a strong 3D entry, and the PC version was mainly available through the Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection. However, the shift to Unreal Engine 5 for Ninja Gaiden 2 Black seems like an excellent precursor to what we might expect with Ninja Gaiden 4. Characters like Ryu Hayabusa, his associates, adversaries, and their battlefields have never looked more stunning, and while there are a few minor reservations, this remains nearly as good as it gets for fast-paced, intense action combat. Whether you’re a newcomer to the series or a returning fan, it seems like an opportune moment to reacquaint yourself with what made Ninja Gaiden exceptional, as we anticipate the true revival, which is slated for 2025.

These views stem from playing the game, which is available on the Xbox App in its PC version. As of now, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black can be found on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5 platforms.

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2025-01-27 18:27