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If there is one series that gives you instant bragging rights after finishing any of its games, that’s Ninja Gaiden. Sadly, I’m not one of those who can brag about completing any of these classic hack-and-slash titles. With that in mind, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black mainly was a new experience for me. I say “mainly” because I dabbled a bit in the original but never managed to beat it. But now that I have finished this remaster, I can say that it is an impressive hack-and-slash with gorgeous visuals. Yet, it still has some of that classic jank that we all remember in a not-so-fond way.
While the game is a remaster, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black feels more like a full remake. Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo brought the characters to a dazzling new stage full of superb graphics and the over-the-top gore we love. However, as I Izuna Dropped my way through its levels, I must say that the clunky movement and camera were headache-inducing and often frustrated me more than the relentless foes I faced. Still, it is something nice to chew on while we wait for the now-announced Ninja Gaiden 4.
The Archfiend’s Return
I will blaze through the story section like a speedrunner trying to finish this game in under four hours. Yes, there is a plot. But it’s just an excuse for Ryu to cut werewolves and other creatures in half. That’s not to say it is bad. Yet, it isn’t memorable. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black‘s main dish is its gameplay, the many combos you can pull off, and the wall-punching you’ll do after getting killed by a dog.
The plot kicks off as a CIA agent contacts Ryu. What seemed to be a mission for the world’s quietest ninja turns out to be a trap. The Black Spider Clan uses this to lore Ryu out of his village so it can steal a Demon Statue. What follows is a globetrotting adventure where Ryu and three of the cutest heroines in the series defeat demons in the wildest ways possible.
In short, do not even worry about the plot. Also, don’t fret if you see the number “2” in the game’s title. You can jump into it without an issue and wholly enjoy it. Again, we’re all here for the gameplay, which is almost flawless and something that will take any mortgage-payers like yours truly back to the 2000s.
New Looks, Old Foundations
The real kicker of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is its revival with Unreal Engine 5. I was expecting an unoptimized experience with frame drops after every combo. Instead, I got a smooth ride throughout the more than a dozen levels of the game. Everything felt great whether it was jumping across Tokyo’s rooftops, climbing the Statue of Liberty, or even fighting werewolves in closed spaces.
Another noticeable thing is the new character models, some of the best I’ve seen in recent Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja games. Yet, it shouldn’t come as a surprise. Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo have always known how to make gorgeous characters in whatever game they launch. From the main characters to the big bosses, even the cannon fodder you cut into pieces looks fantastic. Initially, I wanted to review this on Xbox. But I caved in and bought it for PC and was highly surprised at the graphical options. I don’t have the best rig on the market, but I was able to maintain a steady frame rate of 60 most of the time.
While the looks are the modern part, since Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a remaster, most of the original gameplay hasn’t changed. I need to be clear here and say I am in no position to talk about the Sigma debacle and how Black has things of the original and Sigma. As I said, I only dabbled in the original long ago, so I barely remember it. So, for me, this was a mostly pleasant experience that it felt a bit too short with nothing else besides the campaign and the tag missions.
The campaign is quite short, yet it can become longer depending on your difficulty. Tag missions are nice since you can bring another partner and play with any of the four characters, but they got a bit old for me, at least. In that sense, the game felt lacking, with little to offer once you finish the story. If you’re a big fan, though, replaying everything in the hardest difficulty to unlock some costumes might give you a couple of hours more.
Last but not least, there are two things that really tested my patience, and I’m not talking about the bosses or the dogs. No. I’m referring to the camera and traversal control. Moving the former was quite frustrating, even after tweaking its sensitivity. In a game that needs you to be at the top of your game when fighting, the camera seemed like another mechanic you had to fight against. As for traversal, it is nice that Ryu can pull some wild parkour moves. However, when you pair it with the camera, it just leads to Ryu falling down in every single traversal section. Even if this is a remaster, I would’ve loved to see these mechanics in a bit more polished way. Fortunately, the gameplay makes up for everything else.
A Ninja’s Path is Never Easy
When I started playing Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, my first reaction was, “I suck.” I’ve grown so accustomed to the comfort of a lock-on mechanic, easy-to-read enemy movements, and many other modern gaming cushions. Ninja Gaiden 2 Black doesn’t go easy, but I liked that.
If it wasn’t clear by now, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a hack-and-slash. But nothing like the old God of War games, where button-mashing was an encouraged technique. Ninja Gaiden has always been more methodical. Yes, you have a humongous list of combos for all four characters. But it doesn’t mean you’ll be able to execute all of them. Enemies are relentless and you need to learn their movements. Some are erratic, some are ridiculous, and some feel like straight-up cheating. Yet, it is amazing how a game managed to get me out of my safety bubble.
For instance, a normal chapter in Ninja Gaiden 2 Black will have groups of enemies that will spawn at certain moments. Some are your normal cannon fodder with fast combos but nothing to write home about. Others, however, can teleport around the area, shoot you from afar, and even stun-lock you if you’re not careful enough. Another addition I liked is how enemies with chopped limbs become even more powerful, with them pulling off some “Hail Mary” moves that can almost kill you. I’d say that the best thing about the game is learning how to approach each combat situation. Some weapons will be better for some foes. Other enemies will die faster if you pull off a specific combo. It’s all about adapting and learning through trial and error, and it’s nice to see that not every game has to be a soulslike to provide some fun difficult fights.
Another nice thing about Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is its plethora of weapons and Ninpo, or mystical arts. Ryu will start with his trusty blade but will unlock staves, gauntlets, bows, and more. If you prefer flashier moves, you also have Ninpo, which is this game’s magic. Some will summon birds to protect you, and others will turn Ryu into a Uchiha clan member, launching fireballs left and right. The other three playable characters are quite unique as well, with each one having their own ranged and melee weapons, as well as magic attacks.
Overall, combat is where Ninja 2 Black truly shines. Despite the jank and clunkiness in some areas, learning this game’s intricate fighting mechanics is highly rewarding. Nowadays, we’ve grown used to games that reward a broken build. Yet, everyone copies that build. Or, in other cases, learning how a boss attacks. It isn’t bad, but it’s refreshing to have an action-oriented game where builds and stats aren’t everything. The skill ceiling is definitely high, but breaking it feels pretty satisfying.
Great For New Shinobi
All in all, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is an excellent remaster catering to different fans. Since I’m not a veteran, I can’t delve deep into the differences, additions, or removal of content. Yet, as a newish player, I liked it. There’s a bit of jank here and there, yes. The camera could be better, and traversal less frustrating. Still, the hack-and-slash elements with a high skill ceiling make this remaster an excellent and refreshing experience in a world dominated by soulslikes or adventure games with little to no challenge.
For new players, trying Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is an excellent idea, especially if you were enthralled by the Ninja Gaiden 4 announcement. For veterans, I guess it’ll depend on the type of veteran you are. But if you’re a veteran of the genre, this one will be perfect for you. You have the over-the-top fights, orbs you suck in to upgrade your powers, and collectibles that increase your health and other resources. Furthermore, modern visuals are always welcome. Koei Tecmo and Team Ninja knocked it out of the park by bringing this classic into Unreal Engine 5 in a smooth and optimized way.
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black (PC Reviewed)
Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is a terrific remaster with some of the most gorgeous visuals Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo have pulled off. The combat is as challenging and satisfying as ever, but there's a bit of old-school jank that will frustrate many players.
Pros
- Fantastic visuals
- Engaging and rewarding combat
Cons
- Traversal mechanics feel clunky
- Controlling the camera can be frustrating
