HomeReviews4.5/5 ReviewNINJA GAIDEN 2 Black Review

NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black Review

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A Brutal and Beautiful Upgrade

Announced at a recent Xbox Developer Direct conference, and then made immediately available for download, is a remake of an Xbox 360 classic, NINJA GAIDEN 2 This one goes by the name of NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black, pushed to market by those at KOEI TECMO, and is a remaster of one of the most highly rated action games ever. 

Many – including I – may have previously been left a little scared of its rock hard reputation, but I decided it was time to put my big boy pants on and give it a try. So, with a hefty handful of brave pills, I strapped on my sword and set off into the darkness to save the world. I mean, how hard can it be?

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Review 1
NINJA GAIDEN 2 is back in black

Well, I’ll answer that question later, but for now let’s have a look at the presentation of the game. 

It’s here where we discover that the graphics have had a good polish and brush up, making everything shiny and suitably hi-def. The original game wasn’t a bad looker, but when you put the two games side by side you can really see the extra horsepower under the hood of the Xbox Series X being put to good use. The levels are presented in a third person style, and while they are pretty large, they are also fairly restrictive: an open world game this isn’t. Still, this keeps the action fast and furious, and so I can forgive it. 

A World of Ninjas and Demons

From there, the heroes all look suitably impressive, whilst the various demons and monsters, alongside the enemy ninjas all look and move very well. The bosses are all massive too, intimidating to boot, so it’s a big tick for the design team. The various places we visit around the world all look very nice as well, ranging from a peaceful mountain village in Japan through to a fight against a boss at the top of the Statue of Liberty. 

One thing to mention is that as a default, NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black is incredibly gory, splashing gallons of claret around as we slice and dice enemies with the various weapons at our disposal. The finishing moves look particularly brutal and add to the ankle deep puddle of gore we seem to be wading through. The blood can be turned off in the options in case you are offended. 

NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black’s Audio Design

In terms of audio and all is as you’d expect as well; the swish of swords, the clang of blades, the weird grunting Hayabusa makes as he double jumps up walls. That excellence moves into the music, the voice acting and the quality of the cutscenes as well. All in all, the upgrade to the presentation is very good indeed and I have been particularly impressed by how many special effects fly around, with no hint of slowdown. 

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Review 2
A lovely glow-up

A Ninja’s Duty

The story of the game is suitably overblown and crazy, but I’ll have a go at explaining it. We play as Ryu Hayabusa for most of the game, the son of the leader of the Dragon clan of ninjas. Occasionally we’ll take charge of other people, but I’ll keep their identities secret. We are guardians of something called the Demon Statue, and one day, it is stolen by a creature called Elizabet. She uses the power of the statue to awaken the various Great Fiends that are sleeping around the world, and obviously someone has to stop them, and rock them back to sleep. Who else but your friendly neighbourhood ninja? Faster than you can say Katana we are flying around the world and fighting the big bads as we go. Can we save the world? Will your fingers last the course? It’s a tough call!

A Deadly Ballet

Now, gameplay is where I finally get to in this review, and here the news is very good indeed. The action found in NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black is like a deadly ballet, as we spin, block, parry, attack and use special attacks called Ninpo, to level the playing field. The speed of the game takes your breath away until you adapt, and then you are like a part of a well oiled machine. The brutality of the combat made me wince at first, as enemies are dismembered, arms and legs lopped off with gay abandon. 

Weapons, Skills, and Secrets in NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black

However, in NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black the foes you fight never give up; even when they are “armless” (ba dum tish) they crawl along the floor. Killing them is a great idea, not just because it is all very cinematic but highly effective, slicing heads from shoulders and even cleaving demons clear in two. The fighting action is so well balanced that you really feel like you’re in control, and killing soon becomes almost a dance. 

There are various different things to find in NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black. There are new weapons, which can be equipped, both melee and ranged weapons, all very different, with unique styles and attacks that are particular to the weapon you equip. The Dragon sword, the starter weapon, is fast but not very damaging, whereas the Enmas Fang sword is the exact opposite, a massive lump of metal that would hurt even without the razor sharp edge if you were hit with it! Oddball weapons like flails do take some getting used to, but each weapon is so different you will find something that suits the way you want to play. 

There are also other items to find, usually tucked away just off the beaten path. There are crystal skulls to find, with an achievement tied to finding all of them, there are items that can increase your health, others that raise the potency of the Ninpo skills you use, and even new Ninpo skills to locate. Having more tricks up your sleeve for when things get hectic is always a good thing. The Ninpo skills look great in use, and can turn the tide of a tough boss fight when used at the right time. 

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Review 3
Bloody but brilliant

A Bloody and Brilliant Action Game That Will Test Your Skills

I don’t know why I have spent so many years afraid of NINJA GAIDEN. NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black eases you into the action quite slowly, allowing you to find your feet as you go, and before you know it, you’re slicing and dicing like you’ve been doing it forever. The action certainly ramps up, both in difficulty and in sheer number, but you will love every gore-soaked minute of your time in NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black.


NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black Slices Onto Xbox and Game Pass: A Surprise Release for the Ultimate Ninja – https://www.thexboxhub.com/ninja-gaiden-2-black-slices-onto-xbox-and-game-pass-a-surprise-release-for-the-ultimate-ninja/

Download NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black on Xbox or Game Pass – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/ninja-gaiden-2-black/9N51FH42VQDS


SUMMARY

Pros:
  • Amazing action with an epic fighting system
  • Looks great, with hi-def polish everywhere
  • Never feels overwhelming
Cons:
  • Levels are pretty restrictive
Info:
  • Massive thanks for the free copy of the game, Game Pass
  • Formats - Xbox Series X|S (review), PC
  • Available on Game Pass Day One
  • Release date | Price - 23 January 2025 | £39.99
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<b>Pros:</b> <ul> <li>Amazing action with an epic fighting system</li> <li>Looks great, with hi-def polish everywhere</li> <li>Never feels overwhelming</li> </ul> <b>Cons:</b> <ul> <li>Levels are pretty restrictive</li> </ul> <b>Info:</b> <ul> <li>Massive thanks for the free copy of the game, Game Pass</li> <li>Formats - Xbox Series X|S (review), PC <li>Available on Game Pass Day One <li>Release date | Price - 23 January 2025 | £39.99</li> </ul>NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black Review
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